This Salted Caramel Frosting adds an amazing sweet and salty flavor to any cake, cupcake, or cookie. Or you could just eat the sweet and salty caramel frosting by the spoonfuls like I do. I won't judge ya!
Why Make This
Salted caramel is an absolutely delicious combo that adds an amazing sweet and salty flavor to desserts. I wish I could hug the person that came up with the genius idea to add salt to sweet desserts.
I have been making this salted caramel frosting for quite a few years now. The best thing about this caramel frosting is that it goes so well with everything.
You can use it on chocolate, vanilla, pumpkin, banana, or apple cakes or cupcakes. It's also amazing on this dark chocolate brownie recipe.
The fluffy salted caramel buttercream is so easy to make in minutes. Trust me and make a batch, so you can see why we love it so much.
- Made with caramel ice cream topping.
- Whipped until light and fluffy!
- Fabulous sweet and salty flair.
- Goes with anything!
How to Use Sea Salt
Make sure that you use a coarse ground sea salt in this salted caramel frosting recipe. Do not substitute the same amount of regular table salt because it is much finer, and your frosting will definitely taste like the sea if you do this.
Sea salt measures differently than the table salt because of the larger grains. If you do not have sea salt, you can start by adding half the amount of regular salt and go from there.
Everyone does have different taste buds and opinions on how much salt to use, so add it sparingly.
Ingredient List
You will only need a few ingredients to make this creamy and delicious salted caramel frosting.
- Butter - two sticks of unsalted butter
- Caramel Topping - any variety or brand of ice cream topping will work
- Vanilla Extract - adds flavor
- Sea Salt - it is very important that you use a coarse ground salt
- Heavy Whipping Cream - gives the frosting a light and fluffy texture when whipped in
- Powdered Sugar - thickens and sweetens the icing
How to Make
One bowl and 5 minutes is all it takes to make salted caramel buttercream. Super simple and absolutely delicious.
- Beat the butter, vanilla extract, caramel topping, and salt in a large mixing bowl until it is light and creamy.
- Add the heavy cream and powdered sugar a little bit at a time beating slowly until it is all mixed in. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl every so often.
- Once everything is mixed in, whip the it on a higher setting until the caramel icing is light and fluffy.
- Spread it on cooled cakes or brownies. Or use piping bag with icing tip 1M to add fluffy swirls on cupcakes and cookies.
Ways to Use
There is no wrong way to use this caramel frosting recipe. It is so good that you will want to slather it on just about everything.
It is absolutely delicious on this salted caramel chocolate cake, these salted caramel cookie bars, or these salted brownie caramel cups.
Fill these pumpkin butterscotch cookies or these chocolate brownie cookies with a swirl of the caramel frosting.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure to set out the butter ahead of time, so it has time to soften before you make frosting. If you live in a humid or hot climate, it will not take much time at all.
- Any mixer will work, but I prefer a stand mixer because it is easier to whip the butter and ingredients to a fluffy texture. A hand mixer will work, but it will take more time and patience.
- Storage - Keep the frosting in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Bring to room temperature and then rewhip the caramel icing to get the fluffy texture again before using.
- This caramel buttercream frosting can be made ahead of time if needed. Cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- You should have enough frosting to frost 24 cupcakes or 2 - 8 inch cake layers.
Other Frosting Recipes
- Marshmallow Buttercream
- Peanut Butter Honey Frosting
- Dark Chocolate Frosting
- Nutella Buttercream Frosting
More Salted Caramel Recipes
- Salted Caramel Brownie Truffles
- Salted Caramel Revel Bars
- Salted Caramel Bundt Cake
- Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha
Love a recipe you tried from Inside BruCrew Life? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further below.
Recipe
Salted Caramel Frosting Recipe
A batch of this light and fluffy Salted Caramel Frosting is a delicious way to top any cake, cupcake, or cookie. Or you could just eat it by the spoonfuls like I do. I won't judge ya!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup caramel ice cream topping
- 1 teaspoon coarse ground sea salt
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 4 ¾ - 5 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Beat the butter, vanilla, caramel, and sea salt until very creamy.
- Add the cream and 4 ½ cups powdered sugar and beat slowly until everything is mixed in.
- Whip the frosting on a higher setting until it is light and fluffy. If you want it a little thicker, add a little bit of additional powdered sugar.
- Pipe or spread the frosting on cupcakes, cake, or cookies.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 32 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 383Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 86mgCarbohydrates: 84gFiber: 0gSugar: 83gProtein: 0g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
* The post for Salted Caramel Frosting was first published May 3, 2018. The post has been updated and republished July 15, 2021.
Carol
Can I use salted caramel meltables in this recipe?
Jocelyn
Are you talking about the caramel candy wafers that are like chocolate or the mini caramel bits that melt down for coating apples? Either of those are going to affect the texture and quality of the frosting, so I do not recommend them.
Nicole
What if I only have regular table salt how much should I use?
Jocelyn
I would start by adding 1/4 teaspoon of salt, then just add a little bit at time until you like the flavor. Regular table salt does have a different taste than sea salt and is much saltier, so be careful adding it.
Jan
does this frosting need to be refrigerated once on the cake.
Jocelyn
No, the frosted cake can sit on the counter for a few days if you like. Although, if you live in a more humid climate, it would probably be better to refrigerate it.
Christine
Can iced cupcakes be frozen? Planning on making desserts ahaed of time. Thanks!
Jocelyn
Yes, they can be. You will want to make sure everything is wrapped in a tightly sealed container or bag, so they do not get freezer burn. I hope you enjoy the frosting. Another option is to just freeze the cupcakes and add the frosting one day ahead of time.
Holly
I have Carmel extract. Will this work instead of using Carmel ice cream topping? If so how much would you recommend adding to get get a good Carmel taste.
Jocelyn
The caramel extract and caramel ice cream topping really do taste quite different. I honestly prefer the topping because it adds such a smooth creamy texture and great flavor. But I understand if you want to use an ingredient you already have. I would start with 1-2 teaspoons and see how it tastes. Also, you may need to add just a little bit more heavy creamy since you are leaving out the ice cream topping. I hope that helps and you enjoy the frosting.
Cindy
Can I use salted butter?
Jocelyn
Yes, you can. I would reduce the amount of salt though, so the frosting isn't too salty!
Autumn Lockhart
This recipe is amazing!! It was perfect for my macarons!! My whole family loved them!
kayla
does margarine work instead of butter?
Jocelyn
In my opinion, nothing is better in frosting and baked goods than real butter. But you could use margarine instead, if you prefer. The frosting will have a different taste and will be much softer, so you will need to decrease the amount of liquids in the recipe. I hope that helps.
Elizabeth
Hi! I can't find caramel topping in our local grocery store. Do you make it by melting sugar?
Jocelyn
Most caramel toppings are sold near the ice cream/freezer aisles. Homemade caramel is a mixture of melted sugar, butter, and cream.
Tina motway
Way to much sugar! I think it could be yummy but with less sugar
Jocelyn
Did you make it and try it? The salt actually balances out the sugar.
JANICE L HERDT
I made a four layer cake, with pudding between the layers. I did make 1 1/2 batch of the frosting, and it was just the right amount for what I needed. It was delicious!
Jocelyn
That is so great to hear! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Fiona
Can this recipe cover 4 layers of 6incj cake?
Jocelyn
It makes enough frosting to cover 24 cupcakes. I haven't actually frosted a cake with it, but it would work just fine. To be on the safe side and have enough frosting though, I would make 1 1/2 batches of frosting. (If you have leftover frosting it is delicious with cookies.)
Jenn
How many cupcakes will one batch of frosting cover?
Jocelyn
I usually use one batch to frost 24 cupcakes. But I also like a big thick swirl of frosting on my treats!
Jenn
Ok! Thank you! Just made it - very delicious! May I suggest you put unsalted butter in the ingredients list? I was all set to use regular butter but then read your notes, thank goodness!
Jocelyn
I'm glad you like it. The very first ingredient I have in the recipe card says 1 cup unsalted butter, softened. So, I'm not sure where else you mean???
J Davis
On my recipe card it just reads 1 cup butter, it doesn't mention it needing to be unsalted.
Jocelyn
I use unsalted butter for all my recipes. The sea salt is what gives it the salted flavor. I must have been looking at another recipe card that said unsalted. I will go in and make that change right now. Thank you for letting me know.