Caramel Buttercream Frosting Recipes

Steps:

• Prepare an ice-water bath. In a medium saucepan, bring 1 1/4 cups sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Brush down sides of pan with a damp pastry brush, and cook, without stirring, until dark amber. Immediately dip bottom of pan in ice-water bath to stop the cooking. Gradually stir in cream until completely smooth.
• Combine remaining 1 cup sugar, egg whites, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer set over (not in) a pot of simmering water. Whisk constantly until sugar has dissolved, and mixture is warm and feels completely smooth when rubbed between fingertips. Transfer bowl to mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form and bottom of bowl is cool to the touch, about 10 minutes.
• Add butter, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to low and slowly beat in caramel until incorporated. Increase speed to high (mixture will look curdled) and continue beating until smooth, about 3 minutes. Switch to paddle attachment and beat on low, 2 minutes more. Use immediately, or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 3 days. Before using, return to room temperature and beat until smooth.

Steps:

• Bring 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar and the water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Wash sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to prevent sugar crystals from forming. Cook, undisturbed, until caramel is dark amber. Remove from heat, and slowly add cream, stirring with a wooden spoon until smooth. Let cool.
• Beat butter with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Place whites and remaining 1/2 cup sugar in a heatproof mixer bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Whisk until sugar dissolves and mixture registers 160 degrees on a candy thermometer.
• Remove from heat, and attach bowl to a mixer. Whisk on medium speed for 5 minutes. Increase speed to medium-high, and whisk until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 6 minutes. Reduce speed to medium, and add beaten butter, cup at a time, whisking well after each addition. Whisk in vanilla.
• Switch to paddle attachment. With mixer on low speed, add caramel, and beat until smooth, 3 to 5 minutes.

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, melt butter and add brown sugar. Bring this mixture to a boil, stirring frequently. Boil and stir for 1 minute until thickened. Remove from heat and add milk. Beat with wire whisk until smooth. Add vanilla and beat again. Then add enough powdered sugar until of desired spreading consistency; the frosting should be POURABLE. POUR frosting over cake from pan and spread to cover. Frosting cools VERY QUICKLY.
• -- also a great frosting for cookies
• Refrigerate after frosting for best texture.

Steps:

• Melt butter in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat; stir in brown sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook until thickened, about 1 minute. Let cool for 5 minutes.
• Whisk milk into the saucepan until mixture is smooth.
• Beat 3 cups confectioners' sugar and salt into the butter mixture with an electric mixer on low speed. Add remaining confectioners' sugar 1 cup at a time, beating until smooth.