Old-Fashioned Caramel Cake

I
ngredients

• 1 (8-oz.) container sour cream
• 1/4 cup milk (I used evaporated milk)
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 ¾ to 2 cups sugar – It depends on how sweet you like it!
• 4 large eggs
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract (Almond extract would be good too!)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Blend sour cream and milk.

2. Beat butter until creamy.

3. Gradually add sugar, beating well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, until blended after each addition.

4. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; add to the butter mixture, alternating with the sour cream mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat at medium-low speed after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Pour batter into 2 greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans.

5. Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks and let cool 1 hour or until completely cool.

6. Spread Caramel Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake.

Caramel Icing

Ingredients

· 2 tbs butter

· 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

· 3 tbs milk, or as needed

· 1 cup confectioners' sugar, divided

· 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and 3 tablespoons milk. Boil vigorously for 1 minute.

Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar.

Cool slightly, then beat in the vanilla and the remaining 1/2 cup of confectioners’ sugar. Add additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, if frosting is too thick.

Podcast Key Points

The Calamity Club, Katherine Stockett, Southern Life, Great Depression, Audiobook, Character Analysis, Women’s Roles, Historical Fiction, Family Dynamics, Orphanage women empowerment, historical fiction, adoption, societal norms, character development, brothel, family secrets, tragedy, LGBTQ issues, 1930s

Takeaways

The Calamity Club is a long but engaging read.
Katherine Stockett's portrayal of Southern life feels authentic.
The Great Depression's impact on social classes is highlighted.
Audiobook narration enhances the storytelling experience.
Characters like Bertie and Meg showcase resilience and strength.
The orphanage setting reveals harsh realities for children.
The Tarts' downfall illustrates the fragility of wealth.
Women's societal roles are critiqued throughout the narrative.
The Calamity Club serves as a metaphor for female solidarity.
Found family emerges as a central theme in the story. Women supporting each other is a recurring theme.
The challenges of opening a brothel highlight societal struggles.
Character evolution is significant, especially for Mrs. Tarte.
Adoption in the 1930s had harsh realities for older children.
Tragedy strikes when Tom's character faces loss.
Family secrets play a crucial role in character motivations.
Societal norms heavily influenced the treatment of women and LGBTQ individuals.
The quest for a happy ending is complex and often unresolved.
Historical context enriches the narrative and character development.
The emotional journey of the characters resonates with readers.