Description
Irresistible caramel frosting crowns cakes with rich, golden sweetness from Southern kitchens. Silky layers of buttery caramel glaze promise indulgent moments that delight dessert enthusiasts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar (light or dark)
- ½ cup (1 stick / 115 g) unsalted butter
- ¼ cup (60 ml) whole milk or heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250 g) powdered sugar, sifted
Instructions
- Caramel Foundation: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until golden and fully liquefied.
- Sugar Integration: Add brown sugar to melted butter, stirring continuously until bubbles form and mixture becomes frothy.
- Caramel Development: Reduce heat to low, simmer mixture for two minutes while stirring constantly. Create a smooth, consistent caramel base without scorching.
- Liquid Incorporation: Remove from heat and gradually whisk in milk or heavy cream, ensuring a seamless blend without lumps.
- Temperature Adjustment: Return pan to low heat, bring to a gentle boil, then immediately remove and allow slight cooling.
- Flavor Enhancement: Stir vanilla extract throughout the caramel base to distribute aromatic notes evenly.
- Frosting Preparation: Transfer warm caramel to mixing bowl and gradually introduce sifted powdered sugar, starting at low mixer speed to prevent sugar dispersion.
- Texture Refinement: Increase mixer speed to medium, whip until frosting becomes luxuriously fluffy with a silky smooth appearance.
- Consistency Calibration: Adjust texture by adding milk if too thick or powdered sugar if too thin, achieving ideal spreading consistency.
- Final Application: Spread immediately on desired baked item, understanding frosting will naturally firm as it reaches room temperature.
Notes
- Control Heat Carefully: Maintain medium-low heat to prevent burning caramel, watching for golden color and avoiding dark brown which signals scorching.
- Prevent Sugar Crystallization: Stir continuously during caramel creation to ensure smooth texture and prevent sugar from hardening or becoming grainy.
- Manage Frosting Consistency: Add powdered sugar or milk gradually, testing thickness after each addition to achieve perfect spreadable texture that holds shape.
- Temperature Matters: Let caramel cool slightly before adding powdered sugar to prevent potential separation and ensure stable, glossy frosting finish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 155
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 47 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg