Old Fashioned Caramel Icing
Are you looking for an icing that will elevate your next cake? Stop right there, because I’ve got exactly what you’re looking for! Old Fashioned Caramel Icing is the perfect topping for your next baked dessert. It covers your cake like a sweet blanket and tastes like a praline. Seriously, what’s not to love!
If I’m being completely honest, I like an easy dessert. If I’m having people over or it’s a birthday, the last thing I want to do after cooking a big meal is fuss over dessert. Are you in the same boat? Good, I found a solution that takes an easy dessert to the next level! It’s so good!
Grab a cake mix, yes you read that right, we’re going easy on the cake. I like devil’s food and then I usually add a few extras, a bit of sour cream, a package of pudding and a few chocolate chips. I’ve included my go-to recipe below. It’s always a winner! This post, however, isn’t about cake, it’s about icing and this icing turns any ho-hum cake into a stellar dessert that will have all your guests coming back for seconds. It’s ah-mazing.
Old Fashioned Caramel Icing is made by boiling the ingredients and starts out as a thick glaze. It hardens quickly, so, when you’re pouring it onto the cake, you’ll want to move quickly. The best part is that this icing almost levels itself. Basically, if your cake is dimpled (like mine was) no one will ever know, the icing covers it completely!
So now let’s talk taste for a minute. OMG! Flavour! It’s thick and flavoured to perfection! A sweet caramel taste that, if you’ve been to Georgia or have had the pleasure, will remind you of a praline. If you have not, I suggest you try both! It’s completely craveable and totally addictive, good luck stopping at one piece. My husband and I won’t even share this with the kids, it’s that good.
How to make Old Fashioned Caramel Icing
Start with a cool cake (my favourite easy version is below). I like chocolate cake, but really the options are endless. My aunt was the first person to introduce me to this icing and she always served it over chocolate cake, but I’m positive it would be delicious on a banana cake or even a vanilla cake.
Start by melting the butter and brown sugar in a medium saucepan over low-medium heat. Once the butter is melted and the brown sugar is incorporated, turn the heat up to medium-high and whisk in the milk. Bring it all to a boil and let boil for two minutes.
Remove from the heat and whisk in the icing sugar and vanilla and stir until completely combined. It may be a bit lumpy from the icing sugar, but just keep whisking until it’s smooth. Lastly, pour the icing over the cake and let it set for a few minutes.
Pro-tip: Because this icing starts out as a glaze, you’ll need to leave the cake in the pan. This icing spreads, which means you’ll need the pan’s sides to contain it. Since the icing only takes a couple of minutes to set, you should be able to cut the cake and remove slices fairly quickly. Also, when pouring the icing onto the cake, make sure your cake is on a level surface.
I’m positive you need this icing in your life! It’s super easy and tastes like heaven. Try this icing on your next cake and watch your family and friends return for seconds, even thirds. Just beware, you could end up like us–who have abandoned cutting actual pieces and now resort to eating this straight out of the pan. {face palm}
If you love Old Fashioned Caramel Icing, check out these other delicious dessert recipes, I’m sure they’ll hit the spot:
If you get a chance to make this or any other recipe on the blog and want to share. Please feel free to tag @candyjarchronicles or use #candyjarchronicles on Instagram, so I can see your post. I’d love to see what you’re cooking in your kitchen!
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Old Fashioned Caramel Icing
Old Fashioned Caramel Icing is the hero of icings. It hides imperfection, elevates boring cake and tastes ah-mazing!
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup milk (I used 2%)
- 2 cups icing sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
INSTRUCTIONS
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In a medium saucepan, over low heat, melt the butter and brown sugar until they're incorporated. Increase the heat to medium-high and stir in the milk.
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Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.
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Remove from the heat and whisk in the icing sugar and vanilla. Whisk vigirously until completely smooth.
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Immediately pour over cake and let set for about five minutes.
RECIPE NOTES
Adapted from S. Radbourne’s recipe.
Super Easy Boxed Cake
Mix together the following and beat until smooth, about 4 minutes: 1 box of devil’s food chocolate cake mix, 5.9 oz box of instant chocolate pudding, 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup oil, 1/2 cup warm water and 3 large eggs.
Once smooth, stir in 1 cup chocolate chips and pour into an 8″ or 9″ square pan. Fill 2/3 of the pan with batter, use any remaining for cupcakes or a small individual cake. Bake until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 45-55 minutes. Let cool and top with Old Fashioned Caramel Icing.
Adapted from S. Burton’s recipe.
14 Comments
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Susan B.
I am THRILLED to have found your recipe!! I am JUST short of 70 years old, and grew up as the granddaughter of a wonderful southern cook that still inspires me to this day. My mother (her daughter), was NOT a fan of cooking, but she did bake me a chocolate cake with caramel frosting every year for my birthday when I was growing up; which she remembered from her own childhood and my grandmother’s kitchen. My five children also came to love caramel frosting, and would request it alot, but making the recipe that I remember from my childhood was tedious, and now my new stove after a kitchen renovation does NOT cooperate with the “soft ball stage” directions… But I tried this recipe after a discouraging string of disappointing tries, and this was A WINNER!! I received many compliments from my kids and my husband; and my son-in-law who is not much of a sweets guy went back for a big second slab! SO, THANK YOU!! (Next plan is to try this on an applesauce cake!)
Tammy
This icing is amazing. I used it on brownies. I will be doing it again this weekend for a wedding shower. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Lisa
My family LOVES this icing which makes me ecstatic. My 50-year quest for the perfect caramel icing that is easy but uses basic pantry staples and is still scrumptious is over! Everyone in my family was born in Georgia (although we all moved on) so I firmly believe that pralines are part of my DNA. My dad’s favorite cake was a yellow cake with caramel icing (NEVER called frosting) and he is probably smiling as he watches his great-grandchildren loving it too. Thank you so much!
Tanya
Lisa! I’m so happy you and your family love this! You’ve made my day! Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Kat
Icing has the perfect flavor and consistency as described, but, not all Home Baker’s fully understand what icing sugar is. Might want to explain, or make recipe clearer.
Tanya
Thank you for your comment Kat! I will amend the recipe. Thank you for letting me know. Cheers, Tanya
Martha Moser
I haven’t made it yet, however I’ve had enough of this icing to know it’s going to be delicious. I’m 64 years old, 4th of 5 kids. My mother would always buy me a cake for my birthday from am old Bohemian pastry shop. Chocolate with a fluffy marshmallow frosting. I also had a grandmother figure who catered for the oil companies to feed their guests on their fleet of planes. Nana would get fiery mad at my mom for the “store bought” cake. So I got 2 cakes each birthday. Nana poured her icing over a yellow butter cake. Food memories are wonderful.
Tanya
I love this story! Thank you for sharing and I agree good memories are so special!
Tracy Butler
So the cake was delicious, I’m thinking the icing sugar would have made it thicker.
Tanya
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. And yes, the powdered (icing) sugar does thicken the icing. It’s meant to be a thick icing, but come to think about it, I’m sure it would still be tasty without!
Tracy Butler
What is icing sugar
Tanya
Thanks for reaching out Tracy. It’s the same as powdered sugar. Sorry about that it’s the Canadian coming out in me!
Yvonne
I love how you explained it to me. I was doing it all wrong. I got it. Thanks much