Salted Caramel Frosting

With over a decade of experience in frosting and cake recipes, I’ve perfected my salted caramel frosting using room-temperature butter, high-quality jarred caramel sauce, and techniques to achieve a smooth, fluffy texture without air bubbles.

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This Recipe For Caramel Frosting is a Must Have!

Guys, I am so basic—my favorite frosting is either chocolate or peanut butter—but after over a decade of experience creating frosting recipes and crafting single and layered cakes, I finally perfected salted caramel frosting, and it’s a reader favorite!

My recipe guarantees a fluffy, smooth texture every time, thanks to room-temperature butter for easy whipping and high-quality jarred caramel sauce (like Smucker’s in a glass jar) for the best flavor.

I also address common frosting issues like air bubbles with a simple low-speed mix or hand-stirring to achieve a silky, bakery-quality finish—making this salted caramel frosting the perfect addition to apple spice cupcakes, cakes, or cupcakes!

What is buttercream frosting?

Buttercream is a type of frosting that calls for creaming butter and powdered sugar together to make a fluffy frosting.

Buttercream is the typical frosting that you see paired with cakes and cupcakes.

Easy Caramel Frosting Ingredients

• Butter
• Caramel sauce
• Salt
• Powdered sugar
• Milk or heavy cream

Salted Caramel Frosting Recipe Easy Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Place room temperature unsalted butter, caramel sauce, and salt in a mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer on medium and beat the butter for 1 minute, until whipped and fluffy.
2. Add in the powdered sugar, beat again on low for 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl, until everything is incorporated.
3. If the frosting is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk or heavy cream, and beat until creamy.

What to Pair With Salted Caramel Frosting

• Doctored Up Pumpkin Cake
• Cinnamon Spice Crazy Cake
• Doctored Up Chocolate Cupcakes
• Homemade Brownies
• White Cupcakes
• Doctored Up White Cake
• Sugar Cookies Bars
• Homemade Chocolate Cupcakes

Caramel Frosting Recipe Easy Tips and Tricks

• Use room temperature butter because it whips more easily and produces a fluffier frosting
• Whip it! Want fluffy frosting? Whipping is the key!
• Use jarred caramel sauce – like smuckers brand in a glass jar. Do not use caramel syrup that comes in a squeeze bottle.

Why do I have air bubbles in my frosting and how can I get rid of them?

Air bubbles form when whipping the frosting, which is a necessary step in making buttercream! But you can reduce the amount of air bubbles by beating the frosting on low speed for a minute or by hand mixing the frosting. You are essentially pushing out the air bubbles.

Storing Caramel Frosting

You can store frosting in a sealed container on the counter for up to 2 days.

However, you can store frosting in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Before using, place the frosting on the counter and allow it to come to room temperature. Give it a quick whip with an electric mixer before using.

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Caramel Frosting Recipe (Easy)

By: Beth

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 3 cups

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With over a decade of experience in frosting and cake recipes, I’ve perfected my salted caramel frosting using room-temperature butter, high-quality jarred caramel sauce, and techniques to achieve a smooth, fluffy texture without air bubbles.

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• ▢ ⅓ cup caramel sauce
• ▢ ¼ tsp salt, use table salt in the frosting and extra course salt on top if desired
• ▢ 4-6 cups powdered sugar
• ▢ dash of milk or heavy cream, if frosting becomes too thick

Instructions 

• Place room temperature unsalted butter, caramel sauce and salt in a mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer on medium and beat the butter for 1 minute, until whipped and fluffy. 
• Add in the powdered sugar, beat again on low for 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl, until everything is incorporated. 
• If the frosting is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk or heavy cream, and beat until creamy. Spread or pipe onto cake, cupcakes, or brownies. 

Notes

How long does salted caramel frosting keep?

You can store frosting in a sealed container on the counter for up to 2 days.

However, you can store frosting in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Before using, place the frosting on the counter and allow it to come to room temperature. Give it a quick whip with an electric mixer before using.

Show Nutrition InfoHide Nutrition Info

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 55mg | Potassium: 8mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 357IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition Disclosure

All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

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