Salted Caramel Buttercream

Active time: 45 minutes | Yield: Enough for 12 cupcakes or 1 sheet cake

I used to be sort of afraid of making caramel and I think it was because I have watched A LOT of people accidentally burn caramel on baking TV competition shows. Yes, I know, this is a very silly reason to be afraid of something.

As I baked more and more, I finally bit the bullet and made caramel for the first time and was like "Oh, that's it?". Turns out the key is to have a candy thermometer and to not get too distracted. The Law of Caramel states that if you stare at the candy thermometer, it will take at least 20 minutes to reach the desired temperature; however the second you look away from the thermometer, your caramel will burn immediately.

JK, I made that law up, but its KINDA true. Basically, if you're making caramel, just don't go far or you will surely be starting over.

Now that I'm done rambling, I will point out that the great part of this recipe is you can totally make this buttercream without having to make your own caramel! If you, like my former self, are afraid of making caramel, just buy it at the store and boom, super easy and also super delicious buttercream.

Ingredients:

• 226g (16 tbsp / 2 sticks / 1 cup) butter, softened

• 115g (½ cup) caramel sauce (store bought or homemade)

• 1 ½ tsp vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)

• ¼ - ½ tsp salt (to taste, depending on how salty your caramel is)

• 180-240g (1 ½ - 2 cups) powdered sugar

• 1-2 tbsp heavy cream (or milk)

Directions:

1. With a stand or hand-held electric mixer with a whisk attachment, whisk the butter until light and creamy.

2. Add in your caramel sauce, vanilla, and salt and whisk until evenly combined.

3. On low speed, whisk in 180g (1 ½ cup) powdered sugar until buttercream is fluffy, then add 1 tbsp heavy cream/milk.

   1. If your buttercream is too thick at this point, add another tbsp cream/milk.

   2. If the buttercream is too thin, add additional powdered sugar, 1-2 tbsp at a time until buttercream has reached desired consistency.