Salted Cream Cheese Caramel Frosting Recipes

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.

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.