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Caramel Frosting Recipe

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  • Author: KimEasy
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 2 cups (enough to frost a 9-inch cake or 12 cupcakes) 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This rich and buttery caramel frosting is the perfect topping for cakes, cupcakes, or cookies. Its smooth texture and deep caramel flavor make it a crowd favorite. Whether youโ€™re decorating a birthday cake or adding a luxurious touch to a dessert, this frosting is easy to make and absolutely delicious.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter:ย In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  2. Add brown sugar:ย Stir in the brown sugar and cook until fully dissolved, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add milk:ย Gradually stir in the milk and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Cook for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
  4. Cool slightly:ย Let the caramel mixture cool for 5โ€“10 minutes.
  5. Beat in powdered sugar:ย Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl. Using a hand or stand mixer, beat in the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until smooth and fluffy.
  6. Add vanilla:ย Mix in the vanilla extract for added flavor.
  7. Adjust consistency:ย If the frosting is too thick, add a teaspoon of milk at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

Notes

  • Use immediately for spreading or piping, as the frosting will firm up as it cools.
  • If it becomes too thick to spread, reheat slightly or stir in a bit more milk to loosen.