Old Fashioned Burnt Sugar Caramel Cake

Name: Old Fashioned Burnt Sugar Caramel Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup boiling water; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups granulated sugar; 4 large eggs; 3 cups all purpose flour; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup whole milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

This cake features a deep, complex flavor from homemade caramelized sugar syrup.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· October 13, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

20 minutes

Cook

35 minutes

Total

55 minutes

Serves

There is something truly special about the rich and smoky flavor of a burnt sugar cake. It is a classic recipe that reminds me of the desserts my grandmother used to make for Sunday afternoon gatherings.

The secret is the dark sugar syrup which gives the sponge a beautiful golden hue and a taste that is much more interesting than plain vanilla. Just be careful when adding water to the hot sugar because it will bubble up quite a bit.

🧺 Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup boiling water
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
3 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Prepare the burnt sugar syrup by melting 1 cup of sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium heat until it turns a deep amber color.
2
Carefully pour the boiling water into the caramelized sugar, stirring constantly until smooth, then let it cool completely.
3
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease two nine inch cake pans.
4
Cream the butter and 2 cups of sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
5
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
6
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl.
7
Alternate adding the flour mixture and the milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the flour.
8
Stir in the cooled burnt sugar syrup and the vanilla extract until just combined.
9
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
10
Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

💡 Tips

Store this cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. It tastes even better on the second day once the flavors have settled. Serve with a simple caramel glaze or a light dusting of powdered sugar.

#Cake #Dessert #Homemade #Baked Goods

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