Quick & Sweet Salted Caramel Butterscotch Cake Recipe

Sweet memories dance around this delightful salted caramel butterscotch cake that promises pure indulgence.

Layers of rich, golden goodness melt together with surprising depth and complexity.

Caramel lovers will swoon over each decadent bite of this heavenly dessert.

Crafting this cake feels like creating edible art with simple ingredients.

Salt crystals whisper through buttery notes, creating an unexpected symphony of flavor.

Each slice tells a story of comfort and warmth, inviting you to savor every moment.

Bake this remarkable treat and watch faces light up with pure joy.

Salted Caramel Butterscotch Cake Everyone Talks About

• Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, this cake requires basic mixing techniques and minimal advanced baking knowledge.
• Prepare cake layers in advance and refrigerate, allowing busy home cooks to break down recipe steps and reduce day-of stress.
• Salted caramel butterscotch flavors create a sophisticated yet universally appealing treat that impresses guests and satisfies sweet tooths.
• Complete cake preparation in under an hour, with straightforward steps that minimize complicated techniques and equipment needs.

What You’ll Need for Salted Caramel Butterscotch Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and foundation for the cake's texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Adds richness and creates a tender crumb.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel-like sweetness and moisture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and contribute to cake's structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor depth.
• Butterscotch Sauce: Introduces signature butterscotch flavor and moisture.
• Milk: Helps create smooth batter consistency.

• Brown Sugar: Contributes to caramel undertones and rich color.
• Butterscotch Sauce: Intensifies cake's signature butterscotch profile, can use homemade or store-bought.

Step-by-Step for Salted Caramel Butterscotch Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 8-inch round cake pans and line with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix Dry Components

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Whisk these ingredients together in a medium bowl until well combined. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream Butter And Sugar

Using an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light, airy, and pale in color.

Step 4: Incorporate Wet Ingredients

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract and butterscotch sauce, blending until smooth.

Step 5: Combine Ingredients

Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk. Start and end with dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined, avoiding overmixing.

Step 6: Bake The Cake

Evenly distribute batter among prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting.

Salted Caramel Butterscotch Cake Kitchen Advice

• Perfect Moisture Control: Avoid overmixing batter to keep cake layers tender and prevent tough, dense textures.
• Butterscotch Boost: Warm butterscotch sauce slightly before adding to enhance its flavor integration and smooth blending with other ingredients.
• Temperature Precision: Let eggs and milk reach room temperature to ensure even mixing and consistent cake texture.
• Caramel Swirl Technique: Drizzle extra butterscotch or salted caramel between cake layers for intensified flavor depth and gourmet presentation.
• Storage Savvy: Store cake in airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, or refrigerate for up to a week to maintain moisture and freshness.

Making Salted Caramel Butterscotch Cake Last Longer

• Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover the cake with plastic wrap or place it in a cake carrier to prevent drying out.
• Let the cake sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften the frosting and enhance flavors.
• Wrap individual cake slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
• Gently warm cake slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or let them thaw naturally at room temperature for the most delicious taste.

Pairings for Salted Caramel Butterscotch Cake

• Sip a rich, amber-colored butterscotch whiskey that complements the cake's sweet caramel notes, enhancing the dessert's deep flavor profile.
• Top the cake slice with a scoop of homemade salted caramel ice cream, creating a decadent temperature and flavor contrast that elevates the dessert experience.
• Brew a warm, velvety vanilla latte with smooth espresso, providing a complementary sweetness and caffeine kick that balances the cake's rich butterscotch essence.
• Sprinkle freshly toasted pecans around the cake plate, adding a delightful nutty crunch that harmonizes with the butterscotch and caramel undertones.

Salted Caramel Butterscotch Cake Made New

• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, ensuring the cake maintains its rich butterscotch flavor while accommodating celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Dairy-Free Version: Substitute butter with coconut oil and use almond milk instead of regular milk, creating a lighter, plant-based alternative without compromising the cake's decadent texture.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of brown sugar, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining the caramel-like sweetness characteristic of the original recipe.
• Vegan Transformation: Replace eggs with flax eggs, use vegan butter, and select a dairy-free butterscotch sauce to craft a completely plant-based dessert that still delivers complex, indulgent flavors.

Salted Caramel Butterscotch Cake: Popular FAQs

• What makes butterscotch different from caramel?

Butterscotch is made with brown sugar and butter cooked together, while caramel is typically made with white sugar heated until it turns golden brown. Butterscotch has a richer, deeper flavor with more molasses notes.

• Can I substitute ingredients if I don't have butterscotch sauce?

Yes, you can use caramel sauce or make a homemade butterscotch sauce by cooking brown sugar and butter together until it thickens and becomes smooth.

• How do I prevent my cake from being dry?

Always measure ingredients precisely, avoid overmixing the batter, and check the cake a few minutes before the recommended baking time. Use a toothpick to test doneness and remove the cake from the oven as soon as it comes out clean.

• Why is brown sugar important in this recipe?

Brown sugar adds moisture, creates a deeper flavor profile, and helps create a softer cake texture due to its molasses content. It’s key to achieving the rich butterscotch taste in this cake.

Salted Caramel Butterscotch Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Salted caramel butterscotch cake whispers indulgent secrets of sweet and salty perfection. Rich layers of creamy butterscotch and golden caramel invite you to savor each luxurious bite.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (about 313 grams)
• 1 cup whole milk (237 milliliters)
• ½ cup butterscotch sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar (about 360 grams)
• ½ cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream (30 milliliters)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping and Garnish Ingredients:

• ½ cup butterscotch chips, melted
• ½ cup salted caramel sauce, for drizzling
• Flaky sea salt, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C). Coat three 8-inch round cake pans with butter and line with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Create a uniform dry mixture by combining flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Thoroughly whisk to eliminate any potential lumps and set aside.
3. Transform butter and brown sugar into a creamy, aerated mixture using an electric mixer. Beat until the texture becomes light, fluffy, and significantly increased in volume.
4. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, ensuring complete integration after each addition. Introduce vanilla extract and butterscotch sauce, mixing until harmoniously blended.
5. Construct the cake batter by alternating dry ingredients and milk. Begin and conclude with dry ingredients, gently folding until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender crumb.
6. Distribute batter evenly across prepared cake pans, using a spatula to smooth the surface. Place in preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center.
7. Remove cakes from oven and allow to cool completely in pans. Once cooled, carefully remove from pans and prepare for frosting and final assembly.

Notes

• Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
• Sift dry ingredients to eliminate lumps and create an evenly distributed, light cake crumb.
• Use high-quality butterscotch sauce for a more intense and authentic flavor profile.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a blend of almond and coconut flour, adjusting moisture accordingly.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg