This Caramel Frosting is a Southern classic that takes a total time of 20 minutes to whip up, but its buttery sweetness will have everyone thinking you spent all day in the kitchen. With its fluffy yet creamy texture, this frosting is perfect for slathering over your favorite desserts like cakes and cupcakes. Start in a saucepan, it’s an easy and quick way to add that rich, caramelized flavor that you can eat by the spoonful.
Add a Buttercream Caramel Frosting to Your Next Cake
This caramel frosting recipe is one of those simple Southern frostings that’ll make any cake feel extra special. Unlike caramel cream cheese frosting, this recipe is a bit simpler, with a rich, buttery caramel flavor and a hint of salt to balance out the sweetness.
This frosting has a smooth, creamy texture that you achieve by slowly boiling butter, sugar, and cream together. This allows the ingredients to melt and caramelize, turning into this thick, golden syrup. Once it cools down, it’s whipped into a light, fluffy consistency that’s easy to spread on cakes, cupcakes, or anything that could use a little extra sweetness.
A Few Ways to Use This Frosting
It pairs perfectly with all kinds of baked goods, from a fall apple sheet cake to a festive pumpkin layer cake, and don’t forget about cookies, cupcakes and cinnamon rolls. The caramel flavor is distinct without being overpowering, making it a great choice for those who love that rich caramel flavor.
While I love to make cakes from scratch, I realize everyone might not share my passion. This is the perfect frosting to add to a boxed cake mix to turn it into a spectacular dessert.
All You Need are Pantry Staples
How to Make Caramel Frosting for Cake
Step One: Melt the Butter and Sugar
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, brown sugar, salt, heavy cream, and milk. Stir it all together as it heats, and bring it to a gentle boil.
Step Two: Let It Cook
Let the mixture cook for a few minutes until it turns a rich amber color and reaches a smooth consistency. This should take just a few minutes.
Step Three: Cool the Mixture
Once it’s ready, pour it into a mixing bowl and let it cool down for a bit. You want it to be warm, not hot, before moving on.
Step Four: Mix In the Powdered sugar
Add powdered sugar and vanilla to the cooled mixture and beat everything on high until it’s smooth and creamy with the whisk attachment. Adjust the thickness by adding more cream or powdered sugar if needed.
Step Five: Spread the Caramel Frosting
Now that it’s thick and fluffy, your caramel frosting is ready to be spread over your sheet cake, layer cake or cupcakes. Enjoy!
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Ingredients
- 1 cup butter cut into pieces
- 2 cups brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup whole milk
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Add butter, brown sugar, salt, cream and milk to a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook until a thermometer reads 225º,about 2-3 minutes, it will be an amber color. Pour it into the bowl of a stand mixer and let it cool until it is just warm, about 10 minutes.
- Add powdered sugar, and vanilla and beat on high speed until it is smooth and creamy. Add more cream or powdered sugar until it is thick enough to spread.
Notes
- This will make enough frosting for a layer cake, a 9 x 13 sheet cake or 18 cupcakes.
- If you don’t have a candy thermometer, remove it once it has foamed up and is amber in color.
This cake looks fantastic! Can’t wait to make it! Now I just don’t know which caramel frosting recipe to use! 🙃 Love your recipes! Thank you.
You can’t go wrong with whichever you choose.