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–+ servings
Buttery lemon cupcake with creamy frosting and lemon zest decoration, baked fresh for dessert or special occasions.

Salted Caramel Frosting

Bree Hester
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Optional Chill Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Dessert, Frosting
Cuisine American
Servings 32 servings
Calories 103 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature, 2 sticks
  • 1 brick cream cheese at room temperature, 8 ounces
  • 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce at room temperature, homemade or store-bought
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3-4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt or to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy, 1-2 minutes. Add the cream cheese and continue beating until the mixture is completely smooth with no lumps, scraping down the bowl as needed.
    Creamy butter and sugar mixture in a stand mixer ready for baking.
  • Pour in the cooled salted caramel sauce and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until fully combined and silky. If the mixture looks loose or warm, chill it for 5-10 minutes before adding sugar.
    Creamy caramel sauce being poured into cake batter in a stand mixer, ready for baking.
  • With the mixer on low speed, gradually add 3 cups of the powdered sugar, about 1/2 cup at a time, mixing until just combined after each addition. Add the salt, then increase the speed to medium and beat until the frosting looks light and fluffy, 1-2 minutes.
    Creaming ingredients in a stand mixer for baking recipes, showcasing essential baking techniques.
  • Check the consistency: For spreading on cakes, it should be thick yet easily spreadable; for piping, add up to 1 more cup powdered sugar, a few tablespoons at a time, beating just until it holds medium peaks. If it becomes too soft at any point, refrigerate for 10–15 minutes to firm up.
  • Use immediately or cover and refrigerate. Makes about 4-5 cups of frosting, enough to generously frost a 9x13-inch cake, a 2-layer 8- or 9-inch cake, or about 24 cupcakes.
    Soft vanilla sponge cake topped with creamy frosting, perfect for dessert or special occasions.

Nutrition

Calories: 103kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 0.1gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 31mg
Keyword caramel cream cheese frosting, cookie cake frosting, cupcake frosting, salted caramel buttercream, salted caramel frosting
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