Down South Old-fashioned Caramel Cake

Description
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

Ingredients

 * 3½ cups all-purpose flour
 * 2 tsp baking powder
 * 1 cup butter, softened
 * 2 cups sugar
 * 6 eggs
 * 1 cup milk
 * 1 tsp vanilla extract

Caramel frosting

 * 3 cups firmly packed brown sugar
 * 2 cups milk
 * 4 tbsp softened butter
 * 2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

 * 1) Preheat oven to 325°F.
 * 2) Butter 2 layer cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment or waxed paper.
 * 3) Butter the waxed paper.
 * 4) Sift the flour with the baking powder and set aside.
 * 5) In a large mixing bowl cream the butter until fluffy, then gradually add the sugar, beating until creamy.
 * 6) Add the eggs one at a time, and beat in thoroughly.
 * 7) Add the flour mixture alternately with the milk beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.
 * 8) Stir well after each addition, but do not over mix.
 * 9) Stir in the vanilla extract.
 * 10) Turn the batter into the prepared pans.
 * 11) Bake 35 minutes.
 * 12) When the cake is done cool 10 min in the pans then turn out onto cake racks to cool completely.

Caramel frosting

 * 1) Combine the brown sugar and milk in a large saucepan.
 * 2) Bring to a boil and cook stirring constantly, to a soft-ball stage.
 * 3) Remove from heat.
 * 4) Add butter and vanilla, and beat at high speed until thick enough to hold to the cake when spread.
 * 5) If the frosting becomes too thick, beat in a few drops of hot water.
 * 6) Spread the caramel frosting over one layer of the cake, top with the other layer and cover the top and sides of the entire cake with the remaining frosting.