Have you ever tasted a cake, cookie, or any dessert with a luscious, velvety caramel icing that melts in your mouth? Prepare to be amazed by the delightful and versatile caramel icing, also lovingly known as caramel frosting. This classic and beloved topping has been gracing desserts for generations, adding a touch of sweetness and sophistication to any treat.
Caramel icing can be made from scratch using a few simple ingredients, including butter, sugar, milk, and vanilla. With just a little bit of patience and attention, you can create a smooth and creamy caramel sauce that can be used to frost cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and other desserts. The resulting icing is not only delicious but also visually appealing, with its rich amber color and glossy finish.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the art of making caramel icing from scratch. We will provide you with step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and variations to suit your taste and dietary preferences. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting, you'll find everything you need to create the perfect caramel icing that will elevate your desserts to new heights. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on this culinary journey together.
CREAMY CARAMEL ICING
This old-fashioned caramel icing recipe is perfect slathered atop spice cake, chocolate cake, and cupcakes. It's a boiled frosting that has the creamy texture of brown sugar fudge!
Provided by Tara Teaspoon
Categories Dessert
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a bowl, combine ⅓ cup shortening, ¼ cup hot milk, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla and beat until smooth, about 2 min. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, boil together 1 tablespoon shortening, ½ cup cold milk, corn syrup and brown sugar until temperature reaches 235°F (soft-ball stage) on a candy thermometer, about 10 minutes.
- Pour the boiled mixture over over shortening mixture and beat until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. If icing isn't smooth enough, add 1 tablespoon hot water.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1814 kcal, Carbohydrate 379 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 37 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, Cholesterol 9 mg, Sodium 112 mg, Sugar 373 g, TransFat 5 g, UnsaturatedFat 25 g, ServingSize 1 serving
OLD FASHIONED CARAMEL ICING
Old Fashioned Caramel Icing is the hero of icings. It hides imperfection, elevates boring cake and tastes ah-mazing!
Provided by Tanya
Categories Dessert
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, over low heat, melt the butter and brown sugar until they're incorporated. Increase the heat to medium-high and stir in the milk.
- Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and whisk in the icing sugar and vanilla. Whisk vigirously until completely smooth.
- Immediately pour over cake and let set for about five minutes.
OLD TIMEY CARAMEL ICING
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
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!
LIZZIE'S OLD FASHIONED COCOA CAKE WITH CARAMEL ICING
Provided by Trisha Yearwood
Categories dessert
Time 1h20m
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and lightly flour two 9-inch cake pans
- For the cake: Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt and set aside. With an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Add the flour mixture in stages with 1 1/3 cups water, beginning and ending with the flour.
- Divide the batter evenly between the pans and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Turn the layers out onto racks that have been sprayed with cooking spray.
- For the caramel icing: Mix 3 cups of the sugar and the milk in a heavy 3-quart saucepan. Bring slowly to a boil and keep it hot. Caramelize the remaining cup of sugar in an iron skillet. Do this by cooking over medium-high heat and stirring and scraping the pan with a flat-edged spatula as the sugar melts. Continue to cook until the syrup turns to medium or dark brown in color. This occurs at about 320 degrees F to 350 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Do not scorch the syrup. Stream the syrup into the boiling sugar and milk mixture and cook to the soft ball stage, about 238 degrees F. Add the butter, vanilla extract and baking soda.
- Pour the hot mixture into the bowl of an electric mixer and beat as it cools until the icing is creamy, 15 to 20 minutes. Watch the icing because it will go from runny to too thick very quickly. Spread on the cake layers while the icing is still warm. If it becomes too stiff, add a few drops of hot water.
CARAMEL FROSTING I
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
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
GRANDMA'S CARAMEL FROSTING
Make and share this Grandma's Caramel Frosting recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Virginia Allie
Categories Dessert
Time 6m
Yield 1 3 layer cake
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Combine brown sugar, milk, and butter; bring to a full boil and cook for exactly 2 minutes. Remove from heat; add baking powder and vanilla. Beat until thick enough to spread.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 2541.7, Fat 94.2, SaturatedFat 17.9, Cholesterol 12.8, Sodium 1462.1, Carbohydrate 434.6, Sugar 423.9, Protein 4
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use brown sugar instead of white sugar.
- If you don't have a candy thermometer, you can use the cold water test to check if the caramel is ready. To do this, drop a small amount of the caramel into a bowl of cold water. If the caramel forms a hard ball, it is ready.
- To make sure the caramel is smooth, stir it constantly while it is cooking.
- If the caramel is too thick, you can thin it out with a little bit of milk or cream.
- If the caramel is too thin, you can thicken it up by boiling it for a few minutes longer.
- Caramel icing is best when used immediately. However, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Conclusion:
Caramel icing is a delicious and versatile topping for cakes, pies, and other desserts. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. Whether you prefer a classic caramel flavor or something a little more unique, there is a caramel icing recipe out there for you.
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