Best 9 Caramel Cake Frosting Icing Recipes

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Indulge in the symphony of flavors that is Caramel Cake Frosting, where luscious caramel blends seamlessly with velvety textures to create an irresistible topping for your culinary masterpieces. This versatile frosting elevates simple cakes into extraordinary confections, adding a touch of decadence to every bite. From the classic and comforting Caramel Buttercream to the rich and indulgent Salted Caramel Ganache, this article offers a delectable range of recipes that cater to every taste and occasion.

Immerse yourself in the creamy delight of Caramel Buttercream, where the essence of caramel harmonizes with the richness of butter, creating a smooth and velvety spread that effortlessly coats your cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. Elevate your desserts with the luxurious Salted Caramel Ganache, a symphony of bittersweet caramel and a hint of salt, resulting in a glossy and decadent glaze that will leave you craving more.

For those who prefer a dairy-free alternative, the Vegan Caramel Frosting offers a symphony of plant-based ingredients, delivering a luscious and creamy texture without compromising on flavor. Experience the magic of the Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting, where tangy cream cheese and luscious caramel unite to create a delightful balance of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.

Each recipe in this article is meticulously crafted to ensure foolproof results, whether you are a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen. With step-by-step instructions and helpful tips, you can effortlessly create these delectable frostings and transform your desserts into extraordinary culinary creations.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

HOMEMADE CARAMEL FROSTING



Homemade Caramel Frosting image

There are few things better than homemade Caramel Frosting, and our recipe takes the cake. You might be tempted to stick to the store-bought variety to cut back on time and all the extra steps but, we assure you, this is one frosting recipe that is well worth the effort. Most icing recipes don't take quite as much stirring, mixing, cooking, and caramelizing, but, then again, most icing recipes don't even come close to being quite as delicious as this caramel icing. Homemade caramel frosting is a labor of love. It takes time and patience but the result is lick-the-spoon good, every time. Whether you're just learning how to make caramel icing or are a seasoned veteran, give our caramel icing recipe a try and you'll likely never look back. Some things are just better when they're made right at home and this frosting recipe is no exception.

Provided by Southern Living Editors

Categories     Cakes

Time 1h50m

Yield Makes 3 cups

Number Of Ingredients 6

1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose-flour
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup milk
3/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Sprinkle 1/3 cup sugar in a shallow, heavy 3½-qt. Dutch oven; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 3 minutes or until sugar is melted and syrup is light golden brown (sugar will clump). Remove from heat.
  • Stir together 1 Tbsp. flour and 2½ cups sugar in a large saucepan; add milk, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly.
  • Gradually pour about one-fourth hot milk mixture into caramelized sugar, stirring constantly; gradually stir in remaining hot milk mixture until smooth. (Mixture will lump, but continue stirring until smooth.)
  • Cover and cook over low heat 2 minutes. Increase heat to medium; uncover and cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reaches 238° (soft-ball stage, about 10 minutes). Add butter, stirring until blended. Remove from heat and let stand, without stirring, until temperature drops to 110° (about 1 hour).
  • Pour into bowl of heavy-duty electric stand mixer. Add vanilla, and beat at medium speed (setting 4) with whisk attachment until spreading consistency (about 20 minutes).

CARAMEL ICING



Caramel Icing image

Yummy and sweet, this is perfect for nut or dark chocolate cakes.

Provided by BumbleBee

Categories     Desserts     Frostings and Icings

Time 25m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 4

¼ cup butter
¾ cup brown sugar
¼ cup heavy cream
2 cups confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Place the butter and brown sugar in a heavy saucepan over low-medium heat; cook and stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture boils. Stir in the cream, return to a boil, and boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and cool.
  • Beat in the powdered sugar until smooth.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 163.3 calories, Carbohydrate 29 g, Cholesterol 17 mg, Fat 5.7 g, Protein 0.2 g, SaturatedFat 3.6 g, Sodium 31.9 mg, Sugar 28.4 g

CARAMEL CAKE FROSTING / ICING



Caramel Cake Frosting / Icing image

Make and share this Caramel Cake Frosting / Icing recipe from Food.com.

Provided by WJKing

Categories     Dessert

Time 15m

Yield 2 layers

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
confectioners' sugar, as needed

Steps:

  • Cook sugar and butter for two minutes.
  • Stir in 1/4 cup milk.
  • Bring to a boil; cool.
  • Stir in 10x (confectioner's) sugar, until thick enough to spread.
  • Makes enough for 2 large cake layers.

CARAMEL FROSTING



Caramel Frosting image

Creamy caramel frosting puts the crowning touch on spiced cupcakes and other scrumptious flavors. Our Test Kitchen's recipe is rich with spreadable goodness.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 25m

Yield 1-1/3 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 5

3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup 2% milk
Dash salt
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • In a small heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, milk and salt. Cook and stir over low heat until sugar is dissolved. , Increase heat to medium. Do not stir. Cook for 3-6 minutes or until bubbles form in center and syrup turns amber in color. Transfer to a small bowl; cool to room temperature., Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until frosting achieves spreading consistency.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 118 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 11mg cholesterol, Sodium 54mg sodium, Carbohydrate 21g carbohydrate (21g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.

CARAMEL FROSTING I



Caramel Frosting I image

I have had this recipe for over 30 years. Cream may be substituted for the milk for added richness.

Provided by MaryKaye

Categories     Desserts     Frostings and Icings

Time 15m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons milk
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 cup confectioners' sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, and mix in 3 tablespoons milk and brown sugar. Boil vigorously for 1 minute.
  • Remove from heat, and beat in 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar. Cool slightly, and beat in the vanilla and remaining 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar. Add more milk if the mixture is too thick.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 93.1 calories, Carbohydrate 19.2 g, Cholesterol 5.4 mg, Fat 2 g, Protein 0.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Sodium 17.9 mg, Sugar 18.9 g

BUTTERMILK CAKE WITH CARAMEL ICING



Buttermilk Cake with Caramel Icing image

This fabulous cake and caramel frosting are so tender, it melts in your mouth. It's been a family favorite since the '70s and it goes over really well at church potluck meals. -Anna Jean Allen, West Liberty, Kentucky

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h20m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 cup butter, softened
2-1/3 cups sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 large eggs, room temperature
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
ICING:
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour a 10-in. fluted tube pan., Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in vanilla; add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk (batter will be thick). Transfer to prepared pan., Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 45-50 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely., For icing, in a small saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar and cream; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; cool 5-10 minutes. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar; spoon over cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 419 calories, Fat 17g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 79mg cholesterol, Sodium 230mg sodium, Carbohydrate 63g carbohydrate (44g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

OLD TIMEY CARAMEL ICING



Old Timey Caramel Icing image

I always had trouble making caramel icing before I got this recipe from a friend's mother. Putting the cold butter in last made all the difference for me. It tastes so good too!

Provided by Renae McVay

Categories     Cakes

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 4

3 c white granulated sugar
1 1/3 c white whole milk
1 1/2 stick cold butter
5 Tbsp white granulated sugar

Steps:

  • 1. Combine 3 cups sugar and milk in a heavy sauce pan on medium heat. Stir together for a few minutes. Allow to continue to heat.
  • 2. While milk and sugar are heating, place a small black iron skillet on med. to med. high heat. Add the 5 tablespoons on sugar. Stir in the skillet until the sugar liquifies and then turns golden brown. It will be bubbling hot.
  • 3. Now the milk and sugar should be very hot. Carefully pour in the browned sugar from the skillet. Whisk together and cook for about 15 minutes or until the mixture reached the very soft ball stage. (test by dropping a little off a spoon into a small glass of cool water. When a small soft ball forms, it's ready.)
  • 4. Remove from heat and using an electric mixer, mix in 1 and 1/2 sticks cold butter...never margarine! Continue to beat until cooled to spreading consistency.
  • 5. If too thick, you can thin by beating in milk a tablespoon at a time. Make sure your cake in completely cooled or this heavy icing may cause the top to split. It'll still taste super though!

CREAMY CARAMEL FROSTING



Creamy Caramel Frosting image

I love this creamy caramel frosting, which is an ideal compliment for spice cupcakes. The recipe originated with my grandmother.-Virginia Breitmeyer, Greensboro Bend, Vermont

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 20m

Yield about 2-1/4 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup 2% milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/2 to 3 cups confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • In a heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter and milk; bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Cool to lukewarm. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until frosting achieves spreading consistency.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 79 calories, Fat 3g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 7mg cholesterol, Sodium 29mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (14g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.

BUTTERSCOTCH CAKE WITH CARAMEL ICING



Butterscotch Cake with Caramel Icing image

I love the icing even more than the cake itself, and I think next time I will try it with a standard butter cake. Caramel icing is a wonderful treat and another one of those old things that fell out of favor but now is making a comeback.

Provided by Topher Zenishek

Categories     Desserts     Cakes

Time 1h20m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 cups brown sugar
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 ½ cups brown sugar
¼ cup unsalted butter
¼ cup milk
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line with parchment paper.
  • Combine brown sugar and butter for cake in a bowl; cream with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add vanilla extract, then add eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed just until they are mixed in.
  • Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl. Add flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with buttermilk, beating batter on low speed until well mixed, scraping down the bowl by hand as needed. Pour batter evenly into the prepared pans.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of each layer comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Run a table knife around the edges to loosen. Invert carefully onto a serving plate or cooling rack. Let cool, about 30 minutes.
  • While cake cools, combine brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter, milk, and flour for icing in a small saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Continue to boil, stirring frequently to prevent burning, for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons butter and vanilla extract. Cool the mixture, stirring occasionally, until it is still warm (but not hot) and has thickened enough to spread.
  • Spread icing over the cake, moving fairly quickly because it will set as it cools. It will be a thin coating, not a thick layer. Let set completely before cutting into the cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 466.5 calories, Carbohydrate 81 g, Cholesterol 67.8 mg, Fat 14.7 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 4.3 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, Sodium 297.9 mg, Sugar 63.9 g

Tips:

  • Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent the caramel from burning.
  • Stir the caramel constantly to ensure that it cooks evenly.
  • If you have a candy thermometer, cook the caramel to a temperature of 240°F (116°C) for a soft caramel or 250°F (121°C) for a hard caramel.
  • If you don't have a candy thermometer, cook the caramel until it has turned a deep amber color.
  • Be careful when adding the hot caramel to the butter, as it may splatter.
  • Allow the caramel mixture to cool slightly before adding it to the powdered sugar.
  • If the caramel mixture is too hot, it will cause the powdered sugar to seize up.
  • If the caramel mixture is too cool, it will not be able to dissolve the powdered sugar.
  • If the frosting is too thick, add a little bit of milk or cream.
  • If the frosting is too thin, add a little bit more powdered sugar.
  • Store the frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Conclusion:

Caramel cake frosting is a delicious and versatile frosting that can be used on a variety of cakes, cupcakes, and other desserts. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With a few simple tips, you can make a perfect caramel cake frosting that will impress your friends and family.

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