Butterscotch Layer Cake Recipe

Learn how to make the best homemade butterscotch layer cake with this easy baking recipe! Rich brown sugar sponge layers filled with velvety butterscotch cream and covered in silky brown sugar frosting. The perfect balance of sweet caramel notes and buttery goodness for any special occasion.

Difficulty:

Intermediate

Prep Time:

45 mins

Cook Time:

30 mins

Serves:

1 cake (12 slices)

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the Cake Layers:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">345g all-purpose flour</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp baking powder</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp baking soda</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">½ tsp salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">225g unsalted butter, softened</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">300g brown sugar, packed</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">4 large eggs, room temperature</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tsp vanilla extract</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">240ml buttermilk, room temperature</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the Butterscotch Filling:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">100g brown sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">60g unsalted butter</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">120ml heavy cream</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">¼ tsp salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp vanilla extract</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the Brown Sugar Frosting:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">350g unsalted butter, softened</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">500g icing sugar, sifted</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">100g brown sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">60ml heavy cream</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tsp vanilla extract</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">¼ tsp salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">For Decoration:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">50g butterscotch chips (optional)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Flaky sea salt (optional)</li></ul>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size: 1 slice

🔥 Calories: 420 calories

🥑 Fat: 22 g

🧈 Saturated Fat: 13 g

🍞 Carbohydrates: 55 g

🍭 Sugar: 45 g

🍗 Protein: 4 g

🫀 Cholesterol: 120 mg

🧂 Sodium: 280 mg

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Three 20cm (8-inch) round cake tins</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Stand mixer with paddle attachment</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Offset spatula</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Cake turntable (optional but helpful)</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Small saucepan</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Whisk</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Cake board or serving plate</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line three 20cm (8-inch) round cake tins with parchment paper. This ensures your cakes will release perfectly after baking.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Setting these dry ingredients aside allows you to incorporate them properly later without overmixing.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the brown sugar and continue beating for 4-5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This extended creaming incorporates air into the batter, resulting in a more tender crumb.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Don't rush this step – proper egg incorporation gives your cake structure and moisture.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Beat in the vanilla extract. Then, alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix on low speed just until incorporated after each addition. Overmixing at this stage will develop gluten and make your cake tough.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake tins. Use your spatula to gently spread the batter to the edges and smooth the tops. Tap each tin gently on the counter a few times to eliminate any large air bubbles.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the cakes spring back when lightly touched. The edges should be just starting to pull away from the sides of the tins.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Allow the cakes to cool in the tins for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely. Placing them upside down on the racks while cooling helps create a flat top.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>For the butterscotch filling, combine brown sugar and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the butter melts and the mixture is combined, about 2 minutes. Add the cream and salt, then bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Let bubble for 4-5 minutes, until slightly thickened. The mixture will coat the back of a spoon when ready.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Transfer to a heatproof bowl and refrigerate until completely cooled and thickened, about 2 hours. You can speed this up by placing the bowl in an ice bath if needed.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 11</h4>For the brown sugar frosting, in your stand mixer, beat the butter on medium-high speed until pale and creamy, about 3-4 minutes. The extended beating time creates a lighter, more spreadable frosting.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 12</h4>Add the icing sugar in three additions, mixing on low speed initially to avoid a sugar cloud, then increasing to medium-high for 2 minutes between each addition.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 13</h4>Add the brown sugar, cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat on medium-high for 4-5 minutes until frosting is light, fluffy, and holds soft peaks. If the frosting seems too thick, add a bit more cream, one tablespoon at a time.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 14</h4>To assemble the cake, place one cake layer on your serving plate or cake board. Pipe a dam of frosting around the edge to contain the filling. Spread half of the butterscotch filling inside the dam.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 15</h4>Top with the second cake layer and repeat with the remaining butterscotch filling. Place the final cake layer on top, bottom side up for a flat surface.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 16</h4>Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting all over the cake and refrigerate for 20 minutes. This seals in any loose crumbs before the final frosting layer.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 17</h4>Apply the remaining frosting to the chilled cake, creating your desired finish. For a smooth finish, use a bench scraper held at a 45-degree angle while rotating the cake. For a more rustic look, create swirls with your offset spatula.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 18</h4>Optional: Decorate the top of the cake with butterscotch chips and a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt to enhance the butterscotch flavor and add textural contrast.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 19</h4>For the best flavor, let the cake sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving. This allows the butterscotch notes to fully develop and the layers to meld together beautifully.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Butterscotch Layer Cake Recipe?

This butterscotch cake features all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, butter, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk for the sponge. The filling uses brown sugar, butter, cream, and vanilla, while the frosting combines butter, icing sugar, brown sugar, and cream.

How to cook Butterscotch Layer Cake Recipe at home?

Learn how to cook Butterscotch Layer Cake Recipe by first creating a brown sugar-infused sponge, then preparing a rich butterscotch filling by caramelising brown sugar with butter and cream. Make a silky brown sugar frosting, and assemble by layering cake with filling, then frosting the exterior for a professional finish.

Can I make this butterscotch cake in advance for a special occasion?

Yes! You can bake the cake layers up to 2 days ahead and store wrapped in cling film at room temperature. The butterscotch filling can be made 3-4 days in advance and kept refrigerated. Assemble and frost the day before your event for the best flavour development.

Why does my brown sugar frosting sometimes appear grainy?

Grainy frosting usually occurs when the brown sugar hasn't fully dissolved. To prevent this, ensure your butter is properly softened, beat thoroughly when combining with sugar, and consider dissolving the brown sugar in a small amount of warm cream before adding to your mixture.

What's the best way to achieve perfectly flat cake layers for a professional-looking result?

For flat cake layers, use cake strips around your tins (damp cloth strips wrapped in foil), avoid overfilling tins (no more than 2/3 full), and bake at the correct temperature. If domed, trim cooled cakes with a serrated knife or cake leveler for perfectly even layers.

Want to try something else in ...