Description
This easy caramel frosting recipe creates a silky-smooth, deep golden frosting with a perfect balance of sweet and salty notes. It’s designed for effortless weeknight baking, delivering beautiful Salted Caramel Ribbon Peaks for your favorite desserts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 3–4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 0.5 tsp fine sea salt
Instructions
- Melt Butter & Brown Sugar: In a sturdy saucepan, melt 0.5 cup (113g) unsalted butter with 1 cup (200g) packed brown sugar over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugar completely dissolves and the mixture begins to gently bubble around the edges, which takes approximately 3-5 minutes.
- Add Cream: Slowly whisk in 0.5 cup (120ml) heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer for just 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove it immediately from the heat.
- Cool Caramel: Carefully pour the hot caramel mixture into a heatproof bowl. Let it cool completely to room temperature (about 1.5-2 hours). If in a hurry, place the bowl over an ice bath, stirring occasionally, until it’s cool to the touch.
- Beat in Powdered Sugar & Vanilla: Once completely cooled, transfer the caramel to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or use a hand-held electric mixer). Gradually beat in 3 to 4 cups (360-480g) powdered sugar, adding about 1 cup at a time, until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and fluffy. Beat in 1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract.
- Add Salt & Beat: Stir in 0.5 tsp (3g) fine sea salt, tasting and adjusting. Continue beating on medium-high for 2-3 minutes until the frosting is light, airy, and holds beautiful Salted Caramel Ribbon Peaks.
Notes
For a deeper caramel, use dark brown sugar. Half-and-half can be used instead of heavy cream but may result in a thinner frosting. Crucial cooling period ensures proper texture; a warm base makes it runny. For less sweetness, start with 3 cups powdered sugar. A splash of coffee extract can be added with vanilla for sophisticated flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop, Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp (30 g)
- Calories: 270 calories
- Sugar: 46 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: easy dessert, caramel frosting, salted caramel, baking, homemade, frosting, ribbon peaks, gluten-free, weeknight