Caramel Butter Cake

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans.
• Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pans to wire racks to cool completely. Cut each cake horizontally into two layers.
• For caramel sauce, melt brown sugar in a heavy skillet over low heat for about 25 minutes. Remove from the heat; set aside.
• In a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, milk and egg yolks. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Add melted brown sugar. Cook and stir until a thermometer reads 238° (soft-ball stage). Remove from the heat; stir in the butter and vanilla until the mixture is smooth and spreadable.
• Place bottom layer on a serving plate, quickly top with 1/3 cup caramel sauce. Repeat layers 4 times. Top with the sixth cake layer. Dust cake with confectioners' sugar if desired.