Perfect real deal homemade southern caramel frosting perfect for caramel cakes and more! This is the caramel frosting you want to make it extra delicious!
If you are looking for the perfect frosting for your caramel cake, you are in the right place. This is fully homemade and super tasty. You caramelize the sugar yourself, so you are in control of your own destiny. So get your cake ready, frosting is headed your way!
Man oh man, I haven’t even been blogging for a year yet and I am already posting my second caramel frosting! I think I may have a problem! Oh well, I can’t help it. Besides, this one was assigned to me (sort of!)
I have been wanting to make a caramel cake for a while now and the opportunity finally presented itself. This was the perfect excuse to kill two birds with one stone.
To be honest with you, this icing was not the easiest to work with. The instructions were very precise.
Not to mention the fact that when I started spreading it, the frosting was very loose. Almost a thick glaze. I thought there would be no chance it would stay on the sides of the cake and I was going to end up with a trifle.
The next thing I knew, it went the other way and was so thick it didn’t spread smoothly. The top of my cake looked so glossy until that stage, then as I tried to bring it all together I ended up with a rougher finish.
Next time I know to work faster and I think I could do better(though honestly even the picture on Southern Living’s website has a textured finish). It definitely isn’t the fluffy forgiving frosting I usually make, but somehow I managed to get the job done.
In an age of smooth fondant covered cakes, this one has a much different look. It is definitely not the fluffy forgiving frosting I normally make, but it is a delicious dense frosting that melded perfectly with the cake it was meant to go on.
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The flavor is actually REALLY good and I was very happy with the finished cake, but you will have to wait until tomorrow to see the rest!
If you aren’t planning to make a layered caramel cake, but still want to make this yummy frosting don’t despair. It would be fabulous over a pound cake baked in a simple tube pan.
Other great alternatives would be a lovely sheet cake such as Di’s banana cake or now that I’m thinking about it, maybe a carrot cake?!
If you are a frosting fanatic like me, check out my Frosting 101. It goes through the different types of frosting and links to all sorts of delicious recipes!
Traditional Southern Caramel Frosting
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon all purpose flour
- 2½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place the first ⅓ cup granulated sugar in the bottom of a large heavy-bottomed saucepan.
- Stirring frequently, cook over medium heat until it melts and becomes lightly golden brown. This will take about 3 minutes and don’t worry if the sugar clumps a bit.
- In a second sauce pan, combine 1 Tablespoon all purpose flour, 2½ cups granulated sugar and 1 pinch salt. Whisk in 1 cup whole milk (cold) until combined and any lumps are worked out. Place over medium-high heat and cook until it comes to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Pour ¼ of the hot milk mixture into the caramelized sugar. Whisk until combined. Slowly add the rest of the hot milk, stirring as you go.
- Cover mixture and cook over low heat for 2 minutes. Uncover and turn heat to medium, without stirring cook until it reaches 238°F (soft ball stage.) This will take about 10 minutes. Add ¾ cup unsalted butter and stir until well blended. Remove from heat and let sit for about an hour.
- Pour into stand mixer bowl. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and mix on medium for 20 minutes.
- Spread immediately over cake, working quickly before it completely sets.
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My mom use to make this and it is a challenge , you want to pour over cake while it’s rather thin and work fast doesn’t matter if it’s not beautiful as it taste wonderful like Carmel fudge which is why you have to work fast as it sets like a thin fudge, chocolate is also great.
It does take a bit more finesse than most frosting recipes, but it is totally worth it!
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Thank you!
Sounds delicious but challenging! Glad you saw it all the way through 🙂
It is more complicated than most of my recipes, but that is part of what makes it fun!
Hmmmmm caramel sounds delicious!
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Yummmmy! I think I'm drooling!
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It is good!
Ooh I think I know what's coming next lol. Sorry to hear the icing was a bit temperamental, I really can't wait to see the finished article. Laura@ Baking in Pyjamas
Lol, surprise! As I look at more pictures, it seems that might be just what it does. It actually adds a little character and doesn't look bad… it just isn't what I expected. I was very pleased with the finished product once I got over the loss of the smooth glossy finish I thought I might have!