Caramel Buttercream Frosting for Brown-Sugar Layer Cake

(172)
brown sugar cake
Photo: Francesco Lagnese
Prep Time:
40 mins
Total Time:
50 mins
Yield:
7 cups

Use this rich butterscotch-flavored frosting to decorate Martha's spectacular Brown-Sugar Layer Cake or any dessert you please.

Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ cups sugar, divided

  • ½ cup water

  • ½ cup heavy cream

  • 9 large egg whites, room temperature

  • 6 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature, divided

  • 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Combine 1 1/4 cups sugar and the water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Brush down sides of pan with a damp pastry brush, and cook, without stirring, until dark amber. Remove from heat, and gradually stir in cream until completely smooth.

  2. Whisk together remaining sugar and the egg whites in the bowl of a mixer set over a pot of simmering water. Whisk until sugar dissolves and mixture is warm. Transfer bowl to a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and whisk on medium-high speed until fluffy and cool and stiff peaks form, about 10 minutes. Add butter, 2 tablespoons at a time, whisking well after each addition. Whisk in vanilla. Slowly pour in caramel with mixer on medium speed, and whisk until completely incorporated. Continue to whisk until smooth, about 3 minutes. Use immediately, or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 3 days. Before using, bring to room temperature, and beat until smooth.

Cook's Notes

Frosting can be frozen for up to one month.

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