Velvety Salted Caramel Frosting Recipe: Irresistibly Smooth!

Sweet bakers adore this decadent salted caramel frosting that elevates every cake and cupcake to pure bliss.

The rich, buttery notes dance perfectly with a hint of salt, creating a remarkable balance of flavors.

Creamy and luxurious, this frosting brings sophistication to any dessert you serve.

Professional pastry chefs swear by this simple yet elegant recipe that turns ordinary treats into extraordinary delights.

Each spoonful promises a velvety smooth experience that melts deliciously on your tongue.

The caramel’s deep amber color and subtle saltiness make this frosting a show-stopping addition to your baking repertoire.

Whip up this irresistible recipe and watch as your desserts become the talk of every gathering.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 246 kcal

Servings: 12

What You Need for Salted Caramel Frosting

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation for caramel sauce with smooth melting properties.
• Brown Sugar: Delivers deep, molasses-like sweetness and helps create golden caramel color.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and creates silky, smooth caramel texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity with warm, aromatic undertones.
• Sea Salt: Balances sweetness and adds sophisticated flavor depth.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, fluffy consistency and provides structural support for frosting.

• Additional Heavy Cream: Helps thin frosting if too thick.
• Additional Powdered Sugar: Helps thicken frosting if too runny.

Make Salted Caramel Frosting That Spreads Like a Dream

• Create Golden Caramel Base

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir brown sugar until completely dissolved. Pour in heavy cream and whisk constantly while bringing to a gentle simmer. Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until mixture slightly thickens. Remove from heat and blend in vanilla and sea salt. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature.

• Whip Silky Frosting Texture

Transfer cooled caramel to mixing bowl. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating on low speed until fully blended. Increase mixer speed to medium-high and whip for 3-5 minutes until frosting becomes light and airy.

• Perfect Frosting Consistency

Check frosting thickness. If too dense, splash in small amounts of heavy cream. If too runny, sprinkle additional powdered sugar until reaching ideal spreading consistency.

• Decorate Delectable Treats

Generously spread or pipe frosting onto cupcakes, cakes, or cookies. Use piping bag for elegant decorative swirls and peaks that showcase the rich caramel flavor.

Tips for Rich Flavor in Salted Caramel Frosting

• Whisk constantly while simmering to prevent burning and ensure a smooth, silky texture that's rich and glossy.
• Prepare the caramel sauce up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to develop and saving prep time.
• Swap heavy cream with coconut cream and use vegan butter to create a completely plant-based version of this decadent frosting.
• Experiment by adding a splash of bourbon, dark rum, or coffee extract to intensify the caramel's depth and create a more complex taste profile.
• If frosting separates or looks grainy, briefly warm the mixing bowl over a pot of hot water while beating to help ingredients reincorporate smoothly.

Spread Salted Caramel Frosting Over Cakes or Cupcakes

• Decadent Cake Canvas: Spread this luscious salted caramel frosting over chocolate, vanilla, or spice cakes for an indulgent flavor explosion that transforms ordinary desserts into gourmet masterpieces.
• Sweet Cookie Companion: Sandwich between soft chocolate chip or sugar cookies, creating irresistible sandwich treats that highlight the rich caramel notes with a delightful salty-sweet contrast.
• Cupcake Crown Jewel: Pipe elegant swirls onto cupcakes, garnishing with a light sprinkle of sea salt or crushed toffee bits for a professional bakery-style presentation that wows guests and elevates simple cupcakes into spectacular desserts.
• Dessert Dipping Delight: Use as a luxurious dip for fresh apple slices, pretzels, or graham crackers, offering a sophisticated twist on traditional sweet spreads that makes snack time feel extra special.

Store Frosting for Future Use or Gifting

• Store the salted caramel frosting in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and preventing flavor absorption from other foods.
• Transfer the frosting to a freezer-safe container, sealing tightly to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before use and gently re-whipping to restore smooth texture.
• Leave the frosting at ambient temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften and regain its creamy consistency, making it easier to spread or pipe onto desserts.
• Prepare the caramel sauce and frosting up to 2 days in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator. Allow ingredients to reach room temperature and re-mix before assembling your sweet treats for optimal flavor and texture.

FAQs

• What makes salted caramel frosting different from regular frosting?

The key difference is the rich, complex flavor from homemade caramel sauce with sea salt, which adds depth and a sweet-salty contrast that traditional buttercream lacks.

• Can I make the caramel sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the caramel sauce up to a week in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just bring it to room temperature before making the frosting.

• How do I prevent my caramel sauce from burning?

Constantly stir the mixture and keep the heat at medium. Watch carefully and remove from heat as soon as it thickens and turns a deep golden color to prevent burning.

• Do I need any special equipment to make this frosting?

You’ll need a medium saucepan, a whisk, a mixing bowl, and an electric mixer. A candy thermometer is helpful but not mandatory for making the caramel sauce.

Tools to Whip Up Smooth Salted Caramel Frosting

• Saucepan: Medium-sized pan for cooking caramel sauce.
• Mixing bowl: Large bowl for beating frosting ingredients.
• Whisk: Essential for stirring and blending caramel mixture smoothly.
• Electric mixer: Crucial for beating frosting to light and fluffy texture.
• Wooden spoon: Helps stir butter and sugar while making caramel.
• Measuring cups: For accurately measuring ingredients.
• Piping bag (optional): Creates decorative frosting designs on desserts.
• Spatula: Helps scrape and spread frosting evenly.

Silky Salted Caramel Frosting Recipe

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• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Salted caramel frosting brings rich, silky smoothness to classic desserts with its perfect balance of sweet and salty notes. Bakers can elevate cakes, cupcakes, and pastries by spreading this luxurious topping that sparks culinary delight for passionate dessert enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (200 g / 7.05 oz) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (113 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter, cubed
• ½ cup (120 mL / 4 fl oz) heavy cream
• ¼ cup (60 mL / 2 fl oz) water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• 1 cup (227 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3 cups (360 g / 12.7 oz) powdered sugar
• ½ cup (120 mL / 4 fl oz) salted caramel sauce
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp fine sea salt

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Instructions

1. Caramel Foundation: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat, creating a smooth, golden base for the caramel sauce.
2. Sugar Integration: Blend brown sugar into melted butter, stirring until fully dissolved and developing a rich, amber-colored mixture.
3. Cream Infusion: Stream heavy cream into the sugar blend, whisking vigorously to create a cohesive, glossy caramel sauce without lumps.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Remove from heat and incorporate vanilla extract and sea salt, gently stirring to distribute flavors throughout the caramel.
5. Cooling Phase: Allow caramel to cool completely to room temperature, ensuring a stable and smooth consistency for frosting.
6. Sugar Transformation: Gradually add sifted powdered sugar to the cooled caramel, mixing on low speed to create a creamy, lump-free base.
7. Texture Development: Whip the mixture on medium-high speed for 3-5 minutes, transforming it into a light, fluffy, and voluminous frosting.
8. Consistency Adjustment: Fine-tune the frosting’s texture by adding heavy cream to thin or powdered sugar to thicken as needed.
9. Decorative Application: Spread or pipe the salted caramel frosting generously over desired baked goods, creating an indulgent and visually appealing finish.

Notes

Monitor Caramel Temperature: Watch carefully during cooking to prevent burning, which can quickly turn bitter and ruin the entire frosting’s flavor profile.

Prevent Sugar Crystallization: Stir constantly while heating sugar and butter to ensure smooth caramel without grainy texture, using clean utensils and avoiding sugar crystals on pan sides.

Adjust Frosting Consistency: Control spreadability by adding small amounts of cream or powdered sugar, testing thickness between additions to achieve perfect piping or spreading texture.

Enhance Flavor Variations: Experiment with different salt types like flaky Maldon or smoked sea salt to create unique flavor dimensions, complementing the rich caramel base with subtle nuanced undertones.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg