A quick, homemade caramel frosting can be made with unsweetened condensed milk, more commonly known as evaporated milk. Traditionally found in southern American cooking, caramel frosting is delicious drizzled over a homemade or store-bought Bundt cake or apple muffins. As evidenced by the inclusion of an evaporated milk-based caramel frosting recipe in both "The Soul of Southern Cooking" by Kathy Starr and Roberta Miller and "One Big Table: A Portrait of American Cooking" by Molly O'Neill, this icing is a popular addition to any home-cooked meal.
Step 1
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan set over medium heat.
Step 2
Stir in the brown sugar and cook the mixture, stirring frequently, for about two minutes or until a smooth sauce is formed.
Step 3
Add the evaporated milk and salt to the butter and brown sugar mixture, stirring well to thoroughly combine the ingredients.
Step 4
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly.
Step 5
Remove the pan from the heat, stir well and let the mixture cool down for two minutes.
Step 6
Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 7
Add the confectioner's sugar, ¼ cup at a time, beating after each addition. Add all of the sugar and beat until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
Step 8
Use the frosting immediately. Try spreading or drizzling it over homemade or store-bought cupcakes or cakes.
Tips and Warnings
- Since the frosting will harden almost immediately, be sure to use it promptly after preparing it. If the frosting hardens too much, stir in 1 or 2 tbsp. of milk to loosen its consistency. When buying unsweetened condensed milk, keep in mind that the terms "condensed milk" and "evaporated milk" are used interchangeably on the cans. Just be sure not to purchase sweetened condensed milk for this recipe, as it has added sugar.
Things You'll Need
- Saucepan
- 3 tbsp. butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 4 cups sifted confectioner's sugar
References
- Yummly: Easy Frosting Recipe
- "The Soul of Southern Cooking"; Kathy Starr and Roberta Miller; 1989
- "One Big Table: A Portrait of American Cooking"; Molly O'Neill; 2010
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