Best Caramel Cream Frosting Recipes

PUMPKIN SPICE LAYER CAKE WITH CARAMEL AND CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 9-inch cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides, tapping out any excess flour. Whisk first 9 ingredients in large bowl. Using electric mixer, beat pumpkin, sugar, and oil in another large bowl. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating to incorporate between additions. Mix in orange peel. Add flour mixture; beat on low speed just to blend. Divide batter between prepared pans.
• Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 33 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes. Invert onto rack, then turn top side up and cool completely.
• For frosting:
• Sprinkle 1/2 cup powdered sugar over bottom of small nonstick skillet. Cook over medium heat until sugar melts (do not stir). Continue cooking until sugar turns deep amber, stirring occasionally, about 2 minutes. Carefully stir in 1/2 cup cream, vanilla, and salt (mixture will bubble vigorously). Stir until any caramel bits dissolve. Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon cream. Strain into small bowl. Cool caramel to room temperature.
• Sift remaining powdered sugar into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. Beat in cooled caramel. Cover and chill frosting until firm enough to spread, about 2 hours.
• Using long serrated knife, trim rounded tops from cakes. Place 1 cake layer on cake plate, cut side up. Spread 3/4 cup frosting over. Place second cake layer, cut side down, atop frosting. Cover top and sides of cake with remaining frosting, creating smooth surface. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover with cake dome or large bowl and chill. Let stand at room temperature 2 hours before serving.
• Sprinkle candied orange peel over top of cake. Cut into wedges and serve.
• Available seasonally at most supermarkets and year-round at specialty foods stores and from chefshop.com.

CARROT CAKE WITH SALTED CARAMEL-CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease bottoms and sides of four 8-inch round cake pans with shortening.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, milk, melted butter, eggs, cinnamon and nutmeg with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes. Stir in carrots and pecans. Spoon and spread batter evenly in pans (about 1 1/4 cups batter each).
• Bake 18 to 22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack; cool completely, about 1 hour.
• In large bowl, beat cream cheese and softened butter with electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. Beat in 1/4 cup caramel sauce and the vanilla. On low speed, beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until smooth and creamy.
• Frost cake using 2/3 cup between layers. Frost sides with a thin layer of frosting so sides are covered but still showing through. Spread remaining frosting on top. Refrigerate uncovered at least 2 hours.
• When ready to serve, carefully pour and spread 1/3 cup caramel sauce over top of cake, allowing some to drip down sides; sprinkle sea salt on top. Cover and refrigerate any remaining cake.

CHOCOLATE BOURBON CAKE WITH CARAMEL WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• for frosting: Stir sugar and water in heavy large saucepan over medium-low heat until sugar disolves. Increase heat to high and boil without stirring until syrup turns a deep amber color, occasionally brushing down sides of pot with wet pastry brush (about 12 minutes). Add 2 c. whipping cream (mixture will bubble up). Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 c. cream and stir until all caramel bits are melted and mixture is smooth, about 4 minutes. Pour into large bowl and refrigerate overnight (can be made 2 days ahead). for cake: Preheat oven to 350. Butter two 9-inch cake pans with 2-inch high sides. Add parchement paper to bottoms and butter them. Dust with cocoa. -Melt unsweetened chocolate chips slowly on low power in microwave. Set aside to cool. -Sift cake flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda and salt into medium bowl. -Beat unsalted butter in large bowl until fluffy. Gradually add brown sugar and beat until well blended. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in dry ingredients alternately with sour cream, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix in melted chocolate and vanilla. Mix in 1 c. boiling water and blend well. Divide between cake pans. Bake about 35 minutes, or until tester comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes. Turn out onto rack and cool completely. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (can be made 2 days ahead). Beat frosting to stiff peaks. Add 1 Tbsp. bourbon. Cut each cake layer in half horizontally, creating 4 layers. Place one layer on cake plate. Brush with 2 Tbsp. bourbon and then frost. Repeat process with remaining layers and then frost outside. Can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Refrigerate.

VANILLA-CARAMEL ICE CREAM CAKE WITH ESPRESSO WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• For the ice cream cake: Butter a 9-inch springform pan and line it with a parchment paper circle. Cover the bottom of the pan with the pound cake, using any extra pieces to line the sides of the pan if desired.
• Scoop the vanilla and dulce de leche ice creams onto the pound cake layer, packing it in tightly and alternating the scoops to create a marbled or checkerboard effect. Spread with an offset spatula to make a smooth top. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, 2 to 2 1/2 hours.
• Unmold the cake by running a knife around the edge of it, then unhinge the springform and remove. Invert the cake onto a sheet of plastic wrap and remove the bottom of the pan and the parchment. Place a plate on the bottom and invert once more.
• For the espresso whipped cream frosting: Add the heavy cream, confectioners' sugar, espresso and vanilla to a large bowl and whip with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. This makes enough frosting to cover the top and sides of the cake with additional to pipe decorations if desired.
• Frost the top and sides of the cake with the whipped cream frosting. Drizzle with caramel sauce. If the cake begins to get too soft, put it back into the freezer for a few minutes.
• Freeze another 1 1/2 to 2 hours or overnight. Before serving, let the cake sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes.

WINNING RECIPE CARAMEL APPLE CUPCAKES WITH VANILLA BEAN CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 regular size cupcake pans with cupcake liners.
• In a large bowl using an electric mixer on low speed, combine the sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla extract until blended. In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low until blended. Stir in the apples.
• Fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full with batter and bake until the cupcakes spring back when touched with your finger, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool in the pans for a few minutes, and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Either pipe Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting onto the cupcakes using a pastry bag and your favorite tip, or spread each cupcake with the frosting. Drizzle each cupcake with caramel syrup.
• In a large bowl using an electric mixer on low speed, beat the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla bean paste until smooth and thoroughly blended. Slowly add the powdered sugar and salt. Mix until smooth.

ORANGE LAYER CAKE WITH ORANGE-CARAMEL CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Make Filling
• Whisk sugar and yolks in heavy large saucepan to blend. Whisk in cornstarch and orange peel. Gradually add orange juice and cream, whisking to blend well. Set pan over medium-high heat and whisk constantly until cream thickens and boils, about 8 minutes. Pour into bowl. Press plastic wrap directly onto surface of pastry cream to prevent skin from forming. Refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours.
• Beat cream cheese in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in pastry cream, 1 cup at a time, scraping bottom and sides of bowl occasionally. Cover; refrigerate until cold. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• Make soaking syrup and frosting
• Stir 2 1/2 cups sugar and 1 cup water in heavy large saucepan over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat; boil without stirring until syrup is deep amber color, brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan occasionally, about 20 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Immediately add 1 1/4 cups orange juice and peel (mixture will bubble vigorously). Stir over low heat until any hard bits dissolve and caramel comes to boil. Strain into 2-cup glass measuring cup.
• Pour 1 cup caramel into small bowl; reserve for frosting. Mix remaining 1/2 cup orange juice into remaining caramel in glass measuring cup; reserve as soaking syrup. Cover caramel in small bowl and soaking syrup separately; refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours and up to 1 day.
• Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl until fluffy. Gradually beat in 1 cup caramel reserved for frosting, then powdered sugar and vanilla. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. If necessary, let stand at room temperature until just spreadable before using.)
• Make cake
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 12-inch-diameter cake pan with 2-inch-high sides; line bottom with parchment paper. Butter paper; dust pan with flour.
• Bring 1/3 cup milk and 1 tablespoon butter to simmer in small saucepan. Remove pan from heat; add 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Cover pan. Sift 1 1/3 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt into medium bowl. Using electric mixer at high speed, beat 3 eggs in large bowl until frothy, about 1 minute. Gradually beat in 1 1/3 cups sugar. Continue to beat egg mixture until light colored and thick enough to fall in heavy ribbon when beaters are lifted, about 4 minutes. Pour milk mixture over egg mixture. Using whisk, gently stir until just blended. Add flour mixture. Gently stir with whisk until just blended (do not over mix; batter may deflate). Pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake cake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer pan to rack; cool 10 minutes.
• Line cake rack with paper towels. Dust towels generously with powdered sugar. Cut around pan sides; turn cake out onto sugared towels. Peel off parchment. Cool cake completely.
• Repeat 2 more times, using same amount of each ingredient to make 2 more cake layers.
• Assemble and decorate
• Place 1 cake layer on 11-inch tart pan bottom; brush with 1/2 cup soaking syrup. Spread with half of filling (about 3‰ cups). Place in freezer until filling is firm, about 15 minutes. Top with second cake layer; brush with 1/2 cup soaking syrup. Spread with remaining filling. Place in freezer until filling is firm, about 15 minutes. Top with third cake layer; brush with remaining soaking syrup. Spread 2 cups frosting thinly over top and sides of assembled cake to cover completely. Refrigerate until frosting is firm, about 1 hour.
• Spoon 1 cup frosting into pastry bag fitted with small (scant 1/4-inch-diameter) star tip. Spread remaining frosting smoothly over top and sides of cake. Pipe frosting in bag decoratively on top and sides of cake. (Can be prepared ahead. Refrigerate until frosting is firm, at least 5 hours; cover loosely and keep refrigerated up to 1 day. Or freeze until frosting is firm, about 2 hours; cover and keep frozen up to 1 week. Defrost covered cake in refrigerator for 2 days.)
• Place cake on large platter. Arrange fruit decoratively atop cake. To cut cake, start 2 inches inward from edge and insert knife straight down; cut 8-inch-diameter circle in center of cake. Starting 2 inches in from 8-inch-diameter circle and inserting knife straight down, cut 4-inch-diameter circle in center of 8-inch circle. Cut outer portion of cake into 16 slices. Cut middle portion of cake into 8 slices. Cut inner 4-inch portion of cake into 4 wedges. Serve cake.

SESAME CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN CUPCAKES (CHESTNUT CARAMEL CAKE WITH BLACK SESAME CREAM AND CHESTNUT CREAM FROSTING WITH BLACK AND WHITE SESAME CHOPSTICKS)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a regular-size cupcake or muffin pan with 12 cupcake liners.
• In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, cream the butter and sugars together, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk together and set aside. Combine the eggs and vanilla in a small bowl. Scrape down the sides of the mixer bowl, and then add the vanilla and egg mixture, one egg at a time, with the mixer on low speed. Add the Caramel. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again, and then increase the speed to medium and combine thoroughly. With the mixer the lowest speed, add the flour mixture and the sour cream, alternating between the two, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix only until just combined, do not over-mix.
• Fill the cupcake liners with a 16-size ice cream scoop, or about half full, and bake until dark golden and baked through, about 15 minutes. Cool the cupcakes completely.
• To assemble: Core each cupcake using an apple corer. Fill each cupcake with the Black Sesame Pastry Cream and generously frost with the Chestnut Cream Frosting so that the frosting resembles a mountain of noodles. Top each cupcake with a pair of the Black and White Sesame Chopsticks.
• In a heavy-bottomed saucepan (or preferably an unlined copper pot), combine the sugar with 4 tablespoons water to moisten. Place over medium-high heat and, without stirring, cook until the sugar is dark amber in color. Meanwhile, place the cream in a saucepan over medium heat and warm to a simmer. Turn off the heat on the caramelized sugar and slowly add the warmed cream while stirring the caramel with a wooden spoon. Be careful as the mixture will splatter. Allow to thicken slightly over medium heat, about 5 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice if using. Cool completely.
• Bring the milk to a boil in a small saucepan. In a small bowl, whisk together the yolks with the sugar and cornstarch until smooth and well blended. While whisking, slowly pour in one-quarter of the milk into the yolk mixture to temper the yolks. Add the remainder of the milk, while whisking. Pour back into the saucepan and place on medium heat. Whisk vigorously and constantly until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract. Allow to sit for 5 minutes. Whisk in the butter, piece by piece. Add the tahini and black sesame powder, and whisk to blend. Cool completely.
• Cream together the chestnut paste and chestnut puree in a food processor fitted with a metal blade until smooth. Add the softened butter, powdered sugar, rum and vanilla extract, and continue to process until well blended. If chunks remain, press the cream through a fine sieve to remove any large chestnut chunks. Place the cream in a piping bag with a "spaghetti" tip.
• Line a half sheet pan with a sheet of parchment paper. Coat the paper with cooking spray. Coat a wide spatula and a rolling pin with cooking spray.
• In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan or unlined copper pot, combine the sugar, vinegar and 1 teaspoon water. Cook over low heat until the sugar is melted and the mixture is thick. Stir a little. Cook until the sugar reaches 248 degrees F on a candy thermometer. At this point, add the sesame seeds to the sugar and stir well with a wooden spoon. Quickly scrape the mixture onto the parchment and spread evenly, first with the prepared spatula and next with the rolling pin. The desired thickness is about 1/16-inch thick. Cool at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
• Cut the candy into 12 chopstick shapes, each about 3 inches long, with the aid of a Chinese cleaver and a heavy pan. This technique makes cutting easier, even when the candy gets a bit hard. Let the candy cool completely.

CARAMEL CAKE WITH CARAMEL CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• FOR THE CAKE:.
• Preheat oven to 350°. Grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans; line with lightly greased parchment or wax paper.
• Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl; set aside. Place 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar, 1/4 cup light brown sugar, and 1 cup butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed 5 minutes or until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Add flour mixture and 1 cup milk alternately to butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture and beating at low speed after each addition. Pour into prepared pans; sharply tap pans once on counter to remove air bubbles. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire rack. Place 1 layer on a cake plate.
• Combine 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, evaporated milk, and 1/4 cup butter in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Cook (without stirring) until a candy thermometer registers 238°. Transfer to a heat-resistant bowl, and beat 3 minutes or until thickened and easy to spread. Quickly spread filling over cake layer on plate. Cover loosely with plastic wrap; chill 15 minutes or until set.
• Spread a thin layer of Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting over filling. Top with second layer. Frost cake. Chill 20 minutes or until frosting sets, then cover and chill 4 hours or overnight. Let stand 10 minutes at room temperature before serving. Garnish, if desired.
• Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting:.
• Melt brown sugar and 4 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil over medium heat; remove from heat. Whisk in cream; blend well. Transfer to a heat-resistant bowl. Cool at room temperature, stirring occasionally.
• Place remaining 6 tablespoons butter and cream cheese in a large bowl; beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. Beat in vanilla and salt. With mixer running, slowly pour in cooled brown sugar mixture; beat until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually, beating well after each addition until completely smooth. Chill slightly for a firmer texture, stirring occasionally.
• Pecan Praline (topping):.
• Combine sugar and 1/4 cup water in a small skillet over medium-high heat; cook (without stirring) until golden. Stir in pecans; remove from heat. Rapidly spread mixture onto greased foil. Cool completely. Break into small pieces; store in an airtight container up to 1 week.

BANANA CUPCAKES WITH CARAMEL BUTTER CREAM FROSTING (MARTHA STEWART RECIPE)

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk dry ingredients in a large bowl. Cream butter and sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Reduce speed to low. Mix any remaining wet ingredients in a bowl if needed. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture in 3 additions, alternating with wet ingredients and ending with dry. Scrape sides of bowl. Divide batter among muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full. Bake cupcakes until testers inserted into centers come out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool in tins on wire racks. Cupcakes will keep, covered, for up to 3 days, unless otherwise noted.
• 2. 1.Make cupcakes as directed in Basic Cupcake How-To, using mashed bananas, buttermilk, and vanilla for wet ingredients. Stir pecans into batter. Once cupcakes are cool, frost tops with caramel buttercream. Frosted cupcakes will keep, covered and refrigerated, for up to 2 days. Top with banana slices before serving.

CARAMEL WHITE CHOCOLATE WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• You can caramelize the milk any way you like.
• There are several recipes on this site.
• I cook the un-opened can of Eagle Brand Milk in my deep slow cooker filled with water almost to the top.
• Cook on high setting 3-4 hours.
• Mine cooks hot and was done in 3 hours.
• LET COOL COMPLETELY!
• In a small microwaveable bowl melt the White Chocolate Chips.
• Mix the caramel into the melted White Chocolate, add salt.
• Whip the cream in a large chilled bowl with chilled beater until very thick.
• Don't allow it to Break.
• Stir in Vanilla.
• Add a 1/4 of the whipped cream to the caramel/chocolate mixture to lighten.
• Add this mixture back to the whipped cream and whip till well blended and thick enough to spread.
• Fill and frost layer cake.
• I am sure this would be good on almost any cake variety.

EASY CARAMEL APPLE CAKE WITH WHIPPED CREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Prepare cake mix according to box. Add cinnamon and mix in.
• Pour cake mix into pan sprayed with non stick cooking spray (I used my amazing brownie pan but you can use a regular cake pan)
• Open jar of caramel topping and spoon a teaspoon randomly throughout cake mix. (i used my brownie pan divider to put a teaspoon into each section then removed the divider for the next step)
• Swirl the caramel thru cake using a butter knife.
• Bake in 350 degree oven according to directions on box. Testing 5 minutes before called for time to check for doneness. (toothpick comes out clean and cake is springy not jiggly)
• Allow to cool completely and then cut into desired size pieces. (i removed my divider and transferred slices to another plate)
• Warm remaining caramel topping in microwave till pourable but still thick. and drizzle over top of each cake slice
• Now add a nice dollop of whipped cream frosting to each cake.
• Watch them disappear
• Frosting: Sprinkle unflavored gelatin over 3 tablespoons of water in a glass bowl or measuring cup. Let sit until geleatin softens up. Now microwave on HIGH for about 10 seconds and then stir until the gelatin dissolves completely. Allow toc cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Gelatin has to be in a liquid form and not warm. Beat cream in a large mixing bowl at high speed until soft peaks begin to form. Add confectioners sugar to this and whip until you see peaks holding their shape in the bowl. Add the cooled gelatin slowly and in a steady stream while beating the mixture. Now add vanilla and beat till stiff peaks. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Refrigerate frosted cakes until ready to eat.

PUMPKIN CAKE WITH CARAMEL-CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Make the frosting: In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, vanilla bean and seeds.
• Cook over high heat, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved.
• Using a wet pastry brush, wash down any crystals from the side of the pan.
• Cook over moderate heat without stirring until a medium-dark amber caramel forms, about 9 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and immediately stir in the butter and heavy cream. (Don't worry if the butter separates.)
• Discard the vanilla bean.
• Transfer the caramel to the large bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a whisk and beat at low speed until the caramel cools slightly and comes together, about 5 minutes.
• With the machine on, beat in the cream cheese, 1 cube at a time and beating well between additions, until silky.
• Transfer the frosting to a bowl and refrigerate until very firm, at least 6 hours.
• Meanwhile, make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°.
• Butter and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, nutmeg and cloves.
• In a bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the brown sugar and eggs at medium-high speed until fluffy, 3 minutes.
• Beat in the oil, then beat in the pumpkin puree.
• Alternately add the dry ingredients and the milk in 3 batches, beating well between additions.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
• Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
• Let the cakes cool on a rack for 20 minutes.
• Run a knife around the edges to loosen the cakes, then invert them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• Place one layer on a plate and spread with 1 cup of the caramel-cream cheese frosting.
• Top with the second layer and frost the top and side.
• Refrigerate the cake for 2 hours before serving.
• Serve cold or at room temperature.

WINNING RECIPE CARAMEL APPLE CUPCAKES WITH VANILLA BEAN CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 regular size cupcake pans with cupcake liners.
• In a large bowl using an electric mixer on low speed, combine the sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla extract until blended. In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low until blended. Stir in the apples.
• Fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full with batter and bake until the cupcakes spring back when touched with your finger, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool in the pans for a few minutes, and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Either pipe Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting onto the cupcakes using a pastry bag and your favorite tip, or spread each cupcake with the frosting. Drizzle each cupcake with caramel syrup.

SALTED CREAM CHEESE CARAMEL FROSTING

Steps:

• Combine the sugar, water and corn syrup in a large saucepan and stir with a wooden spoon over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.
• Cover the saucepan and let it cook over medium heat for 3 minutes. Do not open lid.
• After 3 minutes, remove the lid, increase the heat to medium and bring to a boil.
• Do not stir from this point on, but instead swirl the liquid around the pan so that the caramel doesn't burn. Stirring forms sugar crystals and it will become grainey.
• Continue to cook until the caramel turns an even amber color then remove from the heat and let stand for about 30 seconds.
• Carefully pour the heavy cream into the mixture. The mixture will bubble up significantly and is very hot. Stir the mixture; add the butter, lemon juice and salt. Stir, again, until combined.
• Pour caramel into a heat-proof measuring cup. Stir occasionally and allow to cool until thickened and warm to the touch, about 20 minutes.
• Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed until creamy.
• Add 4 cups sifted powdered sugar into the butter/cream cheese mixture and beat to combine.
• Add 3/4 cup of the prepared salted caramel and beat to combine.
• Add additional powdered sugar until the frosting is the sweetness and consistency desired.

PUMPKIN WALNUT COOKIES WITH CARAMEL CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For cookies: In a large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until combined. Add sugars; beat until light and fluffy. Blend in pumpkin, egg, and vanilla.
• In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and nutmeg. Gradually add to pumpkin mixture and mix well (dough will be thick). Fold in chopped nuts. Refrigerate cookie dough for 2 hours.
• When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drop by tablespoonfuls 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 12-14 minutes. (Mine came out perfectly in 12 minutes for both a gas and electric oven. These cookies don't brown much because of their color.).
• Cool for 1 minute on pan. Move to wire rack to cool.
• For frosting: In a small saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, and milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 3 minutes and remove from heat.
• Stir in maple syrup (or flavoring) and vanilla extract. Cool completely.
• In a mixer bowl with paddle attachment, beat cream cheese until smooth. Stir caramel until smooth, add to cream cheese, and mix until combined.
• Add and mix in powdered sugar, starting with 2 cups, until it reaches a frosting consistency. Frost cookies.
• NOTE: I've glazed these when the bottom of the cookies are just a little warm and the frosting has set up beautifully. With my next batch, I didn't wait as long, and while the frosting did stay on the top, some of it did ooze down the sides like a glaze. So frost however you want it to be like!

CARAMEL CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Melt brown sugar and 4 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil over medium heat; remove from heat. Whisk in cream; blend well. Transfer to a heat-resistant bowl. Cool at room temperature, stirring occasionally.
• Place remaining 6 tablespoons butter and cream cheese in a large bowl; beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. Beat in vanilla and salt. With mixer running, slowly pour in cooled brown sugar mixture; beat until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually, beating well after each addition until completely smooth. Chill slightly for a firmer texture, stirring occasionally.

BOURBON CARAMEL CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• 1. Heat brown sugar, cream, butter, salt over medium high heat whisking until sugar is dissolved. Cook for another minute. 2. Pour in bourbon and stir to combine. Take off heat and let cool. 3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter until soft. 4. Add the confectioner's sugar and beat to combine. 5. Add three tablespoons of the bourbon caramel (you might have some left over) and beat to combine.

CREAM CHEESE CARAMEL FROSTING

Steps:

• 1. Combine all of the frosting ingredients into a large bowl. Then on low speed gradually blend ingredients together till creamy.
• 2. If mixture is too thick you can thin it with a little milk, adding 1 tablespoon at a time till it reaches the consistency you prefer.
• 3. Frost cake or muffins as desired. Refrigerate or freeze any left overs. If making a bundt cake, you may want to cut recipe in half.
• 4. After frosting the Banana Bread Bundt cake, I stored the remainder of the frosting in the fridge, and about a week later I frosted this double layer cake with the left over frosting. It worked out great.

PUMPKIN CAKE WITH CARAMEL CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• 1. To make frosting: In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, water, vanilla bean, and seeds. Cook over high heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Using a wet pastry brush, wash down any crystals from side of pan. Cook over moderate heat without stirring until a medium-dark-amber caramel forms, about 9 minutes. Remove from heat and immediately stir in butter and heavy cream. (Don't worry if butter separates.) Discard vanilla bean.
• 2. Transfer caramel to large bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a whisk and beat at low speed until caramel cools slightly and comes together, about 5 minutes. With machine on, beat in cream cheese, 1 cube at a time and beating well between additions, until silky. Transfer frosting to a bowl and refrigerate until very firm, at least 6 hours.
• 3. Meanwhile, to make cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour two 8-inch round cake pans. In a medium bowl, whisk flour with baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, nutmeg, and cloves.
• 4. In a bowl, using an electric mixer, beat brown sugar and eggs at medium-high speed until fluffy, 3 minutes. Beat in oil, then beat in pumpkin puree. Alternately add dry ingredients and milk in 3 batches, beating well between additions.
• 5. Pour batter into prepared pans and smooth tops. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Let cakes cool on a rack 20 minutes. Run a knife around edges to loosen cakes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• 6. Place 1 layer on a plate and spread with 1 cup caramel-cream cheese frosting. Put other half of pumpkin shaped layer together on first layer and frost remaining cake. Refrigerate cake 2 hours before serving.

CARROT CAKE WITH SALTED CARAMEL-CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Grease bottoms and sides of four 8-inch round cake pans with shortening.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, milk, melted butter, eggs, cinnamon and nutmeg with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes. Stir in carrots and pecans. Spoon and spread batter evenly in pans (about 1 1/4 cups batter each).
• Bake 18 to 22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack; cool completely, about 1 hour.
• In large bowl, beat cream cheese and softened butter with electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. Beat in 1/4 cup caramel sauce and the vanilla. On low speed, beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until smooth and creamy.
• Frost cake using 2/3 cup between layers. Frost sides with a thin layer of frosting so sides are covered but still showing through. Spread remaining frosting on top. Refrigerate uncovered at least 2 hours.
• When ready to serve, carefully pour and spread 1/3 cup caramel sauce over top of cake, allowing some to drip down sides; sprinkle sea salt on top. Cover and refrigerate any remaining cake.