Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that marries the rich traditions of Southern baking with a bold whiskey twist! This Southern Caramel Cake isn't just a dessert - it's an experience that will transport your taste buds to a world of decadent flavors and irresistible sweetness. With a perfect balance of smooth Jack Daniels, luscious caramel, and tender cake layers, this recipe is about to become your new obsession that will have everyone begging for a second slice.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: Southern
Serves: 10 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup Jack Daniels whiskey
- 1 cup caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, ensuring even coverage to prevent sticking.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour and set aside. This helps create a smoother, more even cake texture.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with sugar using an electric mixer. Beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating thoroughly after each addition. Ensure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Alternately add the sifted flour and buttermilk to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed. Begin and end with flour, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Gently fold in the Jack Daniels whiskey, ensuring it is evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Divide the batter equally between the prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove cakes from the oven and let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
- Once cooled, drizzle each layer generously with caramel sauce, allowing it to seep into the cake.
- Optional: For extra moisture and flavor, brush additional Jack Daniels between cake layers before final assembly.
- Frost the cake with caramel buttercream or additional caramel sauce, decorating as desired.
Tips
- Room Temperature Matters: Ensure all ingredients, especially butter, eggs, and buttermilk, are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
- Don't Overmix: Mix the batter just until ingredients are combined to prevent a tough, dense cake.
- Whiskey Wisdom: The Jack Daniels adds depth of flavor, but don't overdo it. The goal is subtle complexity, not overwhelming alcohol taste.
- Caramel Drizzling Technique: Let the caramel sauce cool slightly before drizzling to prevent it from completely absorbing into the cake.
- Moisture is Key: The optional Jack Daniels brushing between layers adds incredible moisture and intensifies the cake's flavor profile.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure a perfect finish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 550kcal
Carbohydrates: 65g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 17g
Cholesterol: 145mg
