Recipes

Old Fashioned Homemade Caramel Icing

September 11, 2018
Old Fashioned Homemade Caramel Icing is an extraordinary icing and I promise you it will elevate any cake to a whole new level with it's creamy texture and caramel flavor. 
I especially like Caramel Icing on a Homemade Fudge Cake or Marjorie's Apple Cake
This particular caramel icing is made in a cast iron skillet.
We are going to take white sugar and turn it in into a rich caramel syrup.

caramel-icing-cooked-homemade-recipe-scratch

As you can see by this photo this is a great, creamy, easy to spread homemade caramel icing recipe. This is an adaptation from the recipe which I found on Food Network.
I changed out the regular milk for evaporated milk and added a splash more vanilla.
I really am so happy with the results.
Before we proceed any further with this recipe though, there are a few Kitchen utensils that you will need.

caramel-frosting-scratch-icing-homemade-cast-iron-skillet

Tips For Making Old Fashioned Homemade Caramel Icing 

  • You will need a cast iron skillet and candy thermometer for this recipe.
  • You will find other recipes that will give you different ingredients and methods for making homemade Caramel Icing. But this recipe truly works. 
  • There is no water added or lemon juice. 
  • Stick to these ingredients and method and you will be successful.
  • You need two silicone spatulas or silicone spoons.
  • You will have to stir the icing over medium heat for longer than you want to.
*If you are still with me whoohoo! If you are not, I totally understand.
 Just go to the store and buy a can of Caramel icing and enjoy!*

cast-iron-caramel-frosting-scratch-homemade-recipe


So here we go! 
I really think these photos show you how the granulated sugar is turned into a rich and creamy syrup.


frosting-icing-cast-iron-skillet-caramel-homemade

1 cup of sugar in cast iron skillet to begin caramelizing.

Did you know that there is a science behind making caramel? 
Yep! Read all about it right here in Fine Cooking.

icing-frosting-homemade-scratch-caramel-recipe

White sugar is transforming.

Ingredients For Old Fashioned Homemade Caramel Icing

  • 4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 stick butter cut into chunks
  • 1 tablespoon good vanilla
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking soda

Icing-caramel-frosting-homemade-scratch


White sugar has melted and NOT scorched!

How To Make Old Fashioned Caramel Icing

The  Key is to keep stirring over moderate heat with a silicone spatula.
  • Mix 3 cups of the sugar and evaporated milk in a heavy 3-quart saucepan.
  • Bring to a boil over low to medium heat stirring with rubber spatula so sugar does not crystalize.
  • Bring to slow boil and keep it hot.
  • Caramelize the remaining 1 cup of sugar in a 10-12 inch cast iron skillet.
  • Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly and scraping side of skillet with silicone spatula, until sugar begins to melt.
  • Continue to cook until sugar melts and becomes syrup and turns to a medium-golden color.
  • Your candy Thermometer temperature will register between 320 degrees F to 350 Degrees F.
  • DO NOT SCORCH THE SYRUP
  • Slowly pour the syrup into the boiling sugar and milk mixture and cook to the soft ball stage.
  • This is about 238 degrees on your candy thermometer.
  • Stir in butter, vanilla and baking soda .
***************************************************************************
  • Pour HOT mixture into a bowl and beat with an electric mixer.
  • As the mixture cools the icing will become creamy.
  • This process takes about 15-20 minutes.
  • Keep your eye on the icing as it has a tendency to harden up quick so don't over beat.
  • Ice your cake with warm frosting. 
  • If it begins to harden add a 1/2 teaspoon of hot water at a time.
Icing-frosting-caramel-cast-iron-cooked-recipe

Thank you for joining me today and I truly hope that you will enjoy this recipe as much as I do.
You know it would be so tasty on an apple cake too, especially if you have fresh apples from the Farmers Market or from your own apple Orchard!


Old Fashioned Homemade Caramel Icing
Yield
3 cups
Author
Jemma Olson
Prep time
10 Min
Cook time
30 Min
Total time
40 Min

Old Fashioned Homemade Caramel Icing

Old Fashioned Homemade Caramel Icing is an extraordinary icing. This icing will elevate any cake to a whole new level with it's creamy texture and caramel flavor.

Ingredients

Ingredients For Old Fashioned Homemade Caramel Icing
  • 4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 stick butter cut into chunks
  • 1 tablespoon good vanilla
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

Directions For Old Fashioned Homemade Caramel Icing
  1. Mix 3 cups of the sugar and evaporated milk in a heavy 3-quart saucepan.
  2. Bring to a boil over low to medium heat stirring with rubber spatula so sugar does not crystalize.
  3. Bring to slow boil and keep it hot.
  4. Caramelize the remaining 1 cup of sugar in a 10-12 inch cast iron skillet.
  5. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly and scraping side of skillet with silicone spatula, until sugar begins to melt.
  6. Continue to cook until sugar melts and becomes syrup and turns to a medium-golden color.
  7. Your candy Thermometer temperature will register between 320 degrees F to 350 Degrees F.
  8. DO NOT SCORCH THE SYRUP
  9. Slowly pour the syrup into the boiling sugar and milk mixture and cook to the soft ball stage.
  10. This is about 238 degrees on your candy thermometer.
  11. Stir in butter, vanilla and baking soda .
  12. Pour HOT mixture into a bowl and beat with an electric mixer.
  13. As the mixture cools the icing will become creamy.
  14. This process takes about 15-20 minutes.
  15. Keep your eye on the icing as it has a tendency to harden up quick so don't over beat.
  16. Ice your cake with warm frosting.
  17. If it begins to harden add a 1/2 teaspoon of hot water at a time.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

1426.98

Fat (grams)

36.90

Sat. Fat (grams)

23.21

Carbs (grams)

275.61

Fiber (grams)

0.00

Net carbs

275.61

Sugar (grams)

275.13

Protein (grams)

6.04

Sodium (milligrams)

384.63

Cholesterol (grams)

105.34

To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients you use in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator, or your own nutritionist or medical professional. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information obtained is accurate.

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Comments

  1. DewenaSeptember 11, 2018 at 6:09 AM

    Hmm, is a silicone spatula to keep stirring with why mine overcooks now? Or probably I'm not paying enough attention to the color it takes on and cook it way too long? I'll get my nerve up to try it again because it's fall and fall is caramel, right?

    Your pictures are beautiful, Jemma! Thanks for the recipe!

    Dewena

    ReplyDelete
  2. Red Rose AlleySeptember 11, 2018 at 9:42 AM

    Oh my goodness, this caramel icing looks good. I love caramel, especially around the Fall season when making caramel apples and such. Your cast iron skillet brought a smile to my face, as it reminds me of the old skillets our moms used to use. This looks like a work of art, Jemma, and the sweet love birds add a special touch. Your photos step-by-step are wonderful. What a Yummy cake.

    ~Sheri

    ReplyDelete
  3. Barbara Chapman ~ French EtherealSeptember 12, 2018 at 9:52 AM

    Hi Jemma! Love how your sweet cake turned out!!! Caramel is sooo good on cake, cookies, ice cream... Have I left anything out that it isn't good on?? Lol! Happily pinned to my Yummy! board. <3 Love your new logo!!!

    Hugs,
    Barb :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. anitapelayoriveraSeptember 15, 2018 at 4:34 AM

    Good morning my sweet! I just saw your newsletter pop in my email and I thought I'd also check in to see if you had posted a new post, and sure enough you did. I seemed to miss it in all the rush of my mornings! WHAT A GOOEY and wonderful recipe, a spoon-lickin' goodie to remember! Oh how I long to make a cake...

    ReplyDelete
  5. creationsbycindyphotography.blogspot.comSeptember 17, 2018 at 3:01 AM

    I love caramel of any sorts. Thanks for the recipe Jemma. Hope you are doing well my friend. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  6. MelanieSeptember 18, 2018 at 8:00 AM

    Hi Jemma ~ this looks absolutely delicious but I have to pass on desserts like this because I've cut processed sugar out of my diet again. I'll let you go ahead and eat a piece of cake for me! :-) Hope all is well with you.
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  7. lowcarbdiabeticJanSeptember 18, 2018 at 9:08 AM

    Very good pictures and tutorial on this recipe …

    I liked the look of the Old Fashioned Cocoa Cake in a previous post.

    Happy Autumn Days …

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete

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