Caramel Cake

Ingredients

1-3/4 cups (425 ml) all-purpose flour
1 cup (225 ml) packed brown sugar
1/2 cup (125 ml) butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs
1/2 cup (125 ml) milk
1/2 tsp (2 ml) salt
1-3/4 tsp (9 ml) baking powder
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
2 cups (475 ml) brown sugar
1 cup (225 ml) cream
3 tbsp (45 ml) butter
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
chopped pecans

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (175 C.).
Grease one 9 inch x 13 inch baking pan.
Sift the flour before measuring then resift with the 1 cup (225 ml) of the packed brown sugar.
Add the butter or margarine, eggs, milk, salt, baking powder and 1 tsp (5 ml) of the vanilla to the flour mixture.
Beat on medium high speed of an electric mixer for 2 to 3 minutes.
Spread batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 30 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
Remove cake from oven and place on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
Remove cake from pan and place on a serving dish.
Once cake is cooled completely frost with Caramel Icing.
Caramel Icing:
In a saucepan over medium heat stir the remaining 2 cups (475 ml) of brown sugar, and the cream until the sugar is dissolved.
Cover and cook for 3 minutes.
Uncover and cook without stirring till a candy thermometer reads 238 degrees (125 C.) to 240 degrees (125 C.).
Stir in the remaining butter with a wooden spoon.
Remove the icing from the heat and let cool to 110 degrees (45 C.).
Add the remaining 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla.
Beat the icing until it is thick and creamy.
If it becomes heavy, thin it out with cream until the right consistency appears.
Spread over the top of the cooled cake and top with chopped pecans