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Easy Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

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Caramel cream cheese frosting is creamy with the perfect mix of sweet and tang. It is the perfect topping for so many cakes, cupcakes and cookies.

close up grouping of cozy apple cupcakes topped with caramel cream cheese frosting and apple chip and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

This creamy frosting features the perfect mix of cream cheese tang and sweet salted caramel. It is perfect for topping spice cakes, apple desserts, banana treats and more.

It is soft and creamy but sturdy enough to be piped onto cupcakes or used as a filling between cookies.

I used two of my recent favorite frosting recipes and created a hybrid that is the best of both worlds.  It is part decorator’s cream cheese frosting and part easy caramel buttercream

cooling rack loaded with apple cupcakes topped with caramel cream cheese frosting and apple chips.

Those two parts come together to make a super tasty whole. It is so easy to make and you get a little tang from the cream cheese mixed with the sweet warmth of the caramel.

The flavor blends so well with the apple cupcakes. It would also be fabulous on pumpkin cupcakes, banana cupcakes, chocolate cupcakes and more!

This particular batch went on some apple cupcakes, so to complete the look I added a homemade oven baked apple chip to each cupcake. It made them extra festive and gives a preview of the flavors you are about to enjoy.

apple cupcakes with caramel frosting and apple chip garnish

Making the Frosting

This recipe is made with a store bought caramel sauce, which makes it super simple to put together. You don’t need a candy thermometer or any special tools.

I like using a thick caramel sauce like the ones normally sold in jars rather than squeeze bottles if you are looking near the ice cream toppings. But you can usually find thick caramel squeeze bottles by the coffee section as well.

In order to make the frosting stiff enough to pipe on cupcakes, you need to add a higher ration of butter to cream cheese. There is still plenty of cream cheese to give it the flavor but it has plenty of structure too.

The butter helps to emphasize the butter caramel as well. Though, you can try using shortening if that is your preference.

The salt helps to balance out the powdered sugar, which also gives the frosting stability. It all comes together to make a nice fluffy and flavorful frosting.

More Great Desserts to Try

If you like apple flavored cupcakes, check out my apple pie stuffed cupcakes.  They have apple pie filing baked in and spooned on top. Plus the cinnamon vanilla buttercream is excellent!

For another fun fall recipe, check out apple butter pie.  It is smooth, creamy and filled with apple cinnamon flavor!

Did you make this great recipe? Please leave a review in the recipe card below!

close up grouping of cozy apple cupcakes topped with caramel cream cheese frosting and apple chip and a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Easy Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

Carlee
Caramel cream cheese frosting is creamy with the perfect mix of sweet and tang. It is the perfect topping for so many cakes, cupcakes and cookies.
4.58 from 7 ratings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24 Servings
Calories 132 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • ½ cup butter softened
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
  • ¾ teaspoons salt
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • cup thick caramel sauce

Instructions
 

  • In mixer bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until it is creamy and smooth.
    ½ cup butter, 4 ounces cream cheese
  • Add salt, powdered sugar and caramel sauce and mix on low until most of the powdered sugar is mixed in. Then beat on high for at least 2 minutes.
    ¾ teaspoons salt, 4 cups powdered sugar, ⅓ cup thick caramel sauce
  • Adjust the consistency with a little milk or powdered sugar as needed to get it to the texture you like.
  • Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.  To use chilled frosting, allow it to come to room temperature and then beat for a minute or two and then use. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 132kcalCarbohydrates: 21gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 127mgSugar: 21g
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Recipe Rating




Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies

Friday 4th of October 2019

This has been on my list to come over and check out. These sound soooo perfect. And of course.... that frosting... it's the perfect topping for the cupcake!

Amy

Monday 23rd of September 2019

Apple cupcakes sound delicious. I actually don't think that I have made apple cupcakes before. I usually stick with the muffins. I also have never made salted caramel anything, and of course this frosting sounds amazing. I think that I am going to have to try some salted caramel.

Carlee

Thursday 26th of September 2019

You should make these and kill two birds with one stone!

Camilla M. Mann

Monday 23rd of September 2019

Cozy indeed! I would love to curl up on the couch, under my favorite blanket, with one of these in my hand. Looks delicious. Caramel frosting?! Talk about decadent. I can't wait to try this, Carlee. Thanks for sharing.

Carlee

Thursday 26th of September 2019

I hope you enjoy them!

Sue Lau

Friday 20th of September 2019

That caramel frosting is nuts! I gotta' try that one.

Carlee

Thursday 26th of September 2019

It's so tasty!

Unknown

Wednesday 18th of September 2019

Oh MYYYY! I need these cupcakes!

Carlee

Thursday 26th of September 2019

I'll share!