This rich and creamy Salted Caramel Frosting is sweet, salty, buttery, and perfect for using on all sorts of cupcakes, cakes, cookies, and bars. It uses just 5 ingredients and takes only a few minutes to whip up.
Enjoy this caramel frosting piped on top of Carrot Cake Cupcakes, Banana Cake, or Zucchini Cupcakes, inside this Pumpkin Roll, and more! Follow along to discover just how quick and easy it is to turn salted caramel into a thick and creamy frosting.
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Salted Caramel Frosting
How is it possible that adding just a smidge of salt to caramel takes the flavor to such irresistible places? Whatever it is, this flavor is never going out of style and this Salted Caramel Frosting couldn’t be easier to make. You can use homemade caramel sauce or make it easy and use store bought caramel topping.
Whip with a little salted butter, vanilla, powdered sugar, and a touch of milk and that’s all there is to it. If you do go the homemade route, just make sure to let the caramel cool completely before trying to whip the frosting or you will end up with a soupy mess.
And if you’re looking for more frosting recipes, you may also love our Easy Cream Cheese Frosting, White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting, or Chocolate Buttercream Frosting.
5 Ingredient Caramel Icing
- Salted Butter - to get that salted caramel flavor, either use salted butter or add an extra ¼ teaspoon of salt.
- Caramel Sauce - our homemade caramel sauce is super simple and perfect for using in this icing. You can also use store bought caramel dessert topping.
- Vanilla Extract - vanilla really enhances the flavors of both salt and caramel.
- Powdered Sugar - to get a super creamy frosting, use powdered sugar. It has all of the sweetness and none of the grittiness.
- Milk - this thins down the frosting very slightly, but it also helps to keep the frosting from breaking. Make sure you use at least whole milk, or you can even substitute heavy cream. If you want the frosting to be a little thinner like an icing, add about ½ a tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
How to Make Caramel Frosting
- Cream the butter and caramel sauce. Whip the soft butter and caramel soft in a stand mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add the rest. Add the vanilla, half of the powdered sugar, and the milk. Whip again until fluffy, then add the rest of the sugar and whip.
- Use or store. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is formulated for caramel sauce that is thick but can still be poured. Many caramel dessert toppings will work, or you can use our easy homemade caramel sauce recipe. Just be sure that it is completely cool before adding to the butter or the butter will melt! You may want to add an extra pinch or salt, too.
Yes! Thanks to the high fat content, this frosting freezes very well. Store in freezer bags or another airtight container for up to 2 months. Once you know you will want to use it, transfer to the fridge overnight to thaw and re-whip.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Freezer: store frozen for up to 2 months. To thaw, transfer to the fridge overnight.
- To re-whip: pull the frosting out to room temperature for at least 1 hour, then transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer and whip until light and fluffy.
Salted Caramel Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup Salted Butter room temperature
- ½ cup Caramel Sauce homemade or store bought caramel topping
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 4 cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Milk
Optional Cupcake Toppings
- 1 teaspoon Flakey Sea Salt
- Caramel Dessert Topping for drizzling
Instructions
- Add the softened butter to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat using the whisk attachment until light and fluffy. Add the caramel dessert topping, mix again.½ cup Salted Butter, ½ cup Caramel Sauce
- With the mixer off, add the vanilla extract, half of the powdered sugar, and the milk. Whip until light and fluffy again, then add the rest of the powdered sugar.1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract, 4 cups Powdered Sugar, 1 Tablespoon Milk
- Use immediately, sprinkling flakey sea salt over the top of the frosting. Or, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Enjoy!1 teaspoon Flakey Sea Salt, Caramel Dessert Topping
Notes
- After the frosting has been stored in the fridge, allow it to come to room temperature and then rewhip before using.
- Use frosting to decorate cupcakes, cakes, or cookies as desired. Drizzle more caramel topping on each dessert. Sprinkle with flakey sea salt if desired.
Nutrition
More Easy Frosting Recipes
- Easy Cream Cheese Frosting
- Classic Buttercream Frosting
- White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
- Mint Cream Cheese Frosting
- Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
- Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting
- Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
- More Cake Recipes
- More Easy Dessert Recipes
This thick and buttery Salted Caramel Frosting takes just a few minutes to make and uses only 5 ingredients. It's the perfect frosting for cake, cupcakes, bars, and cookies.
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