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Home » Recipes » Cakes & Cupcakes

Caramel Frosting

Oct 17, 2022 · 13 Comments

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Collage with a close up of caramel frosting on a cupcake on top, a round layer cake covered in caramel frosting on bottom, and the words "caramel frosting" in the center

Sticky and sweet old-fashioned Caramel Frosting recipe is perfect for topping your favorite cupcakes and cakes, and is so good, it will have you licking the bowl clean.

Caramel frosting typed onto a sweet potato cupcake in a wrapper on a black marble backdrop

Caramel Frosting

I think Caramel Frosting is one of those things that just needs no introduction.  I mean... It's caramel.  It's frosting. It's delicious.  And you can put it on cupcakes and cake.  What can I possibly say that would make it better?!

This Caramel Frosting recipe is very easy to make and is addicting to eat. It sets, like a buttercream to give a pretty finish, though following the recipe exactly, it is much softer than a buttercream.

Now I know this caramel frosting recipe uses the stove, but don't be intimidated.  It's just for a couple of minutes and you don't need anything crazy, not even a candy thermometer. And it is oh-so-worth-it in the end.

Caramel Frosting piped onto a wooden spoon on wax paper with frosted cupcakes behind

Can You Pipe Caramel Frosting?

Yes. In order to get it to hold the stiff shape of the star tip, I had to add quite a bit more powdered sugar. However, you can use an open tip to pipe as in the pictures with the black background with the recipe as-is.

How to Thicken Caramel Frosting

This caramel frosting will set as it cools, so you don't really need to thicken it. However, if you're trying to pipe it, as above, just add some more powdered sugar about ½-cup at a time until it reaches desired consistency.

How to Make Caramel Frosting Not Grainy

Your Caramel frosting will be perfectly smooth and ready to eat after it's done being beaten. If it's still grainy, it still needs to be beaten a bit longer. The beating helps to fully incorporate the sugars. (this is a good tip for American buttercream too!)

A round layer cake covered in caramel frosting on a black marble background with a white linen napkin behind

What to Use Caramel Frosting On

A spoon! ... just kidding. Kind of.

You can use this caramel frosting as topping or filling to almost all of your favorite cakes or cupcakes.

Pictured are my sweet potato pecan cupcakes and a plain vanilla cake. This would also be delicious with a chocolate, peanut butter, funfetti, apple cake, banana cake, or spice cake. You can also use it on your favorite cookies!

More Frosting Recipes You'll Love

  • Coconut Pecan Frosting - gooey, caramel-like frosting loaded with coconut and pecans.
  • Whipped Mascarpone Frosting - light, fluffy, and softly sweet featuring mascarpone cheese as the star ingredient.
  • Vanilla Buttercream - classic American vanilla buttercream that's perfect for frosting cakes and cupcakes, decorating, and piping.
  • Homemade Marshmallow Fluff - this fluff can double as a frosting that can be toasted and browned.
  • Fresh Strawberry Frosting - a buttercream frosting made with fresh strawberry puree

Caramel Frosting Video

Piped caramel frosting on a sweet potato cupcake in a wrapper on a black marble background

Caramel Frosting

Sticky and sweet old-fashioned Caramel Frosting recipe is perfect for topping your favorite cupcakes and cakes, and is so good, it will have you licking the bowl clean.
5 from 7 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Caramel Frosting
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 20 cupcakes
Calories: 231kcal
Author: Michelle

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • ⅓ cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (or more to desired thickness)

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat.
  • Add brown sugar and bring to a boil, whisking constantly.
  • Stir in cream. Return to a boil. Then remove from heat.
  • Whisk in vanilla.
  • Pour mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large mixing bowl and use an electric hand mixer).
  • Gradually beat in powdered sugar at medium speed, using the whisk attachment.
  • Beat 7 to 10 minutes, until thickened and smooth.
  • Use immediately. This frosting will crust if it sits out.

Video

Notes

  • Makes about 5 cups
  • To pipe, you can add more powdered sugar to make it thicker. Be careful adding too much, as it can affect the texture and make it grainy.
  • Add or top with sea salt for a salted caramel effect.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 231kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 78mg | Potassium: 22mg | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 342IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Did you make this recipe?I love seeing your creations. Snap a quick photo and mention @TheGraciousWife or tag #thegraciouswife on Instagram! Leave a STAR rating below!

UPDATE INFO: This recipe was originally published in November 2016. It was updated with new pictures, tips, and video and republished in October 2022.

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Cakes & Cupcakes, Desserts, Recipes, Sweet Treats Cake Recipe, Caramel Recipe, Cupcakes Recipe, Dessert Recipe, Frosting Recipe

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Emily says

    November 16, 2016 at 7:33 am

    This looks so tasty! I think I would be willing to top about anything with caramel frosting. 🙂

    Great photos!

    Reply
  2. Sam @ A Happy Home In Holland says

    November 19, 2016 at 5:47 pm

    Looks delicious, I really want to try this - pinned for later!

    Reply
    • Michelle says

      November 21, 2016 at 6:58 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says

    November 21, 2016 at 8:47 am

    You know, I've never been very good with frostings - but this looks like even I could do it! Thanks for sharing on the What's for Dinner Link up!

    Reply
  4. Karly says

    November 28, 2016 at 5:59 pm

    Sooooo it's totally okay that I make this just to eat on its own, right? Okay, I might dip a graham cracker or two. But come on, this stuff is perfection by itself! Looks too tasty!

    Reply
  5. Alina says

    October 20, 2022 at 4:55 pm

    I've never tried caramel filling before. It is sweet and delicious!

    Reply
  6. Mirlene says

    October 20, 2022 at 9:25 pm

    Caramels are one of my favorite flavors. I can use this for my kids cupcakes that I'm going to bake this weekend!

    Reply
  7. MacKenzie says

    October 20, 2022 at 9:54 pm

    I can’t get enough of this caramel frosting. We made chocolate cupcakes with this frosting and they turned out amazing.

    Reply
  8. Tara says

    December 31, 2022 at 11:30 am

    I absolutely love this caramel frosting! So creamy and tasty. I even dipped some apple slices in it!

    Reply
  9. Gina Abernathy says

    December 31, 2022 at 12:25 pm

    So simple and the perfect frosting for my cake. I might add-- I got to lick the spoon this time around.

    Reply
  10. Sharon says

    December 31, 2022 at 1:01 pm

    I love caramel so when I found this caramel frosting recipe I knew it was going to be the perfect topping for my favorite cupcakes.

    Reply
  11. justine says

    December 31, 2022 at 2:40 pm

    Used this on our cupcakes for the holidays and were a huge hit

    Reply
  12. Liza says

    December 31, 2022 at 4:22 pm

    Soooo delicious, and my whole family loves the real caramel flavor! We put this creamy frosting on banana chocolate chip cupcakes and the combination was divine.

    Reply

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Hello! I'm Michelle!
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