Make the Cake

Cup of Yum
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Spray 3 (9-inch) cake pans with cooking spray and then sprinkle on flour. Shake off excess. Line the bottom of each pan with parchment paper and then spray and flour again. Set aside.
3. In a stand mixer, beat the softened butter (2 sticks) with the sugar until light and fluffy (about 4 minutes), scraping down the sides when necessary.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Alternating flour and buttermilk, add to the mixture, starting with the flour (one-third), then half of the buttermilk, another third of the flour, the rest of the buttermilk, and then the rest of the flour. Mix until smooth. Beat in the vanilla.
6. Divide the batter among the prepared pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula.
7. Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes and then gently remove the cakes from the pans on wire racks. Let cool completely before icing.
8. Spread the frosting between the layers of the cake and on the sides. Top with pecans and then drizzle the reserved caramel over the top of the cake allowing it to flow down the sides.

Make the Caramel Frosting

1. In a large, sturdy saucepan, place the sugar over no heat.
2. Whisk together the water and the corn syrup in a small bowl. Pour over the sugar. Use a wooden spoon to stir the sugar just enough until it has absorbed the liquid.
3. Cook over medium-high heat without stirring. As the mixture becomes thin, swirl the pan from time to time (no stirring). Continue this process until it becomes a dark amber. Use a wet pastry brush to brush down crystals that form along the edge of the pan.
4. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the chilled, cubed butter and stir until all of the butter has melted (it will bubble and foam quite a lot). Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream and continue stirring until smooth and the color of caramel. Let rest for 1 hour to cool.
5. Reserve about one-third a cup of the caramel for topping the cake.
6. Place the softened butter (2 sticks) in a large bowl and pour the cooled caramel over it. Use a hand mixer to blend the caramel and butter until smooth.
7. With the mixer on low, gradually add the confectioners' sugar. Continue mixing until smooth. Add a little more cream (about ¼ cup) until the frosting is spreadable. The frosting is now ready to use.