Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, grease and flour three 8×2 inch round pans.
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt for 30 seconds. Set aside
In another bowl, add the buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Set aside..
In the bowl of your mixer, add the butter and mix at medium speed until smooth. Gradually add the sugar and continue to mix on medium speed for 3 to 5 minutes until lightened in color and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time mixing until the yellow of the yolk disappears.
Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients (3 additions of dry ingredients and 2 of liquid).
Do not mix above medium speed or over mix the cake batter.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just few crumbs attached. Let cool 10 minutes and turn out.
For the Caramel Sauce
Using a medium size saucepan (deep enough to prevent boil over) melt the butter over medium heat.
When the butter has melted, add the brown sugar, milk, salt, vanilla and light corn syrup
Stir slowly trying to keep the mixture off the sides of the pan.
Once the mixture begins to boil, turn the heat to low and put a lid on the pot. Simmer 5 to 6 minutes.
Check the pot now and then to make sure it will not boil over. A lid on the pot steams sugar crystals from sides of the pot.
When the time is up, remove from the heat and pour into a heat proof bowl. It will look too thin but keep in mind that the caramel thickens as it cools. Allow to cool before using in the frosting. You can refrigerate to speed up the process. Makes about 2 cups sauce.
Reserve ½ cup caramel for spreading onto layers when assembling the cake