Mrs. Caldwell’s Burnt Sugar Cake
Tucker Shaw
PUBLISHED January 12, 2026
This cake is a project, so book a couple of hours. Do yourself a favor and prepare the cake pans with butter and flour before you start. I use a medium saucepan to cook the sugar. It takes about 12-15 minutes or so to cook—(and do go just a moment or two longer than you think you should, to ensure those bitter notes come through in the end)—but watch it carefully and take it off the heat as soon as it reaches a deep caramel-brown color. And be prepared to beat the frosting for longer than you ever imagined you'd have to—it takes time to reach its optimal creamy state. This cake is delicious with a cup of coffee. Makes one 9-inch layer cake. – Tucker Shaw
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