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🍰 Butterscotch Cake with Caramel Frosting
A rich, nostalgic dessert that warms hearts and sweetens celebrations.
📜 Introduction
Butterscotch Cake with Caramel Frosting is a beloved dessert that combines the cozy, deep flavor of browned butter and brown sugar with the luxurious smoothness of caramel. Often reserved for special occasions, it’s a treat that speaks to the soul—decadent, nostalgic, and always memorable. Whether you’re baking it for a birthday, holiday, or just because, this cake is a true showstopper.
📖 History of Butterscotch
The word “butterscotch” originated in 19th-century England, possibly derived from “scotch,” meaning to score or cut, which was done to the candy as it cooled. Traditional butterscotch is a confection made with brown sugar and butter, and later incorporated cream, creating a rich base that inspired countless desserts—including this timeless cake. The frosting, made with caramel, was a later American innovation, marrying well with the butterscotch flavor to create a perfect harmony of sweetness.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Butterscotch Cake:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
For the Caramel Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup whole milk or cream
- 2 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
👩🍳 Instructions & Method
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans or line with parchment paper.
Step 2: Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 3: Cream Butter & Sugars
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (3–4 minutes).
Step 4: Add Eggs & Vanilla
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Add vanilla extract.
Step 5: Combine
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.
Step 6: Bake
- Divide the batter between the prepared pans.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Step 7: Make Caramel Frosting
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Stir in the brown sugar and milk/cream.
- Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat, let cool for 5 minutes.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until smooth and spreadable.
Step 8: Assemble & Frost
- Place one cake layer on a plate. Spread frosting evenly.
- Top with the second layer and frost the top and sides generously.
- Garnish with a drizzle of caramel sauce or chopped pecans if desired.
🥄 Formation
The butterscotch cake is a soft, moist sponge made rich by brown sugar and balanced with buttermilk. The caramel frosting forms a creamy, slightly fudgy coating that sets as it cools, creating a beautiful old-fashioned look. This cake holds its shape well and slices beautifully.
🌿 Benefits
- Nostalgic comfort – It brings back memories of holidays and home baking.
- Perfect balance – Brown sugar gives it deep, molasses-like flavor while buttermilk ensures a tender crumb.
- Homemade goodness – Unlike store-bought, you control the ingredients—no preservatives.
- Pairing – Ideal with coffee, tea, or even a glass of milk.
❤️ Lovers of This Cake
- Old-fashioned dessert lovers who crave recipes that taste like childhood.
- Caramel and brown sugar fans who enjoy layered, rich flavors.
- Bakers seeking crowd-pleasers for events, bake sales, or family reunions.
- Grandparents and their grandchildren—it’s the kind of cake that’s passed down generations.
- Anyone with a sweet tooth who finds joy in a forkful of gooey, golden delight.
🍽️ Nutrition (per slice, approx. 1/12 of cake)
(Note: Values vary depending on exact ingredients and serving size.)
- Calories: ~420
- Carbohydrates: ~56g
- Sugar: ~38g
- Fat: ~18g
- Protein: ~4g
- Fiber: ~1g
- Sodium: ~210mg
🔁 Methods & Variations
- Salted caramel frosting: Add sea salt for a salted caramel twist.
- Butterscotch chips: Fold in ½ cup into the batter for extra bursts of flavor.
- Cupcakes: Bake in a muffin tin for ~20 minutes.
- Layered elegance: Add a layer of whipped cream or sliced bananas between the cakes.
- Make-ahead tip: Both cake and frosting can be made a day in advance. Refrigerate and bring to room temperature before serving.
🎀 Conclusion
Butterscotch Cake with Caramel Frosting is more than a dessert—it’s a memory waiting to happen. Its rich layers, crafted with love, represent the best of classic baking. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, this cake offers warmth, depth, and delight in every bite.
💕 For the Lovers
To the bakers who stir sugar with care, to the children who lick the beaters clean, to the grandparents passing on secret recipes—this cake is for you. It’s a celebration of sweet tradition, love in every crumb, and a reminder that the simplest things bring the greatest joy.
Would you like a printable recipe card or a version with fewer calories or sugar?