Tasty Salted Caramel Cheese Frosting

Featured in: Desserts to Satisfy Every Craving

Combine softened butter with cream cheese, pour in caramel, whip until fluffy. Ready in under 10 minutes. Spread on cakes, cupcakes, anything needing a tasty finish.

A woman in a kitchen with a stove and oven.
Updated on Sun, 13 Apr 2025 16:04:30 GMT
A close-up of a gourmet cupcake topped with swirls of cream frosting and a drizzle of caramel sauce, placed on a white circular plate. Pin it
A close-up of a gourmet cupcake topped with swirls of cream frosting and a drizzle of caramel sauce, placed on a white circular plate. | cookingkitchn.com

Whip up this heavenly Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting in minutes. Combine tangy cream cheese with gooey caramel and a hint of salt for a topping that transforms any baked treat. Slather it on your favorite spice cakes, apple goodies, or even simple banana bread.

Benefits of This Dreamy Topping

You'll love how the tangy cream cheese blends perfectly with the silky caramel. Spread it on your favorite cupcakes, sandwich it between cookies, or cover your entire cake. The best part? Regular store-bought caramel works great. Whether you pipe or spread it, this frosting makes everything from apple treats to chocolate desserts taste incredible.

Ingredients List

  • Butter: Room temperature for easy blending
  • Cream Cheese: Softened before use
  • Salt: A tiny amount
  • Powdered Sugar: For proper consistency
  • Caramel Sauce: Store-bought is totally fine

Preparation Steps

Create Your Foundation:
Whip softened butter with cream cheese until completely blended.
Mix In Components:
Add your salt, sugar, and caramel sauce. Start mixing slowly to avoid sugar clouds.
Whip Thoroughly:
Increase mixer speed for 2 minutes until light and airy.
Adjust Consistency:
Too firm? Drop in some milk. Too runny? Toss in extra sugar.
Save For Later:
Use immediately or refrigerate. Bring to room temp before using again.

Why It's Amazing

Every spoonful balances caramel sweetness with cream cheese tang. It goes on smooth, looks fantastic when piped, and turns ordinary desserts into something special. The salt brings out all the sweet flavors even more.

Perfect Pairings

Tastes amazing on apple desserts, pumpkin loaves, or chocolate treats. Try it sandwiched between your favorite cookies or on warm cinnamon rolls. This frosting can turn a basic cake into something guests will rave about. Works wonders on banana bread too.

Time-Saving Tips

Grab quality pre-made caramel sauce to cut down prep time. Set out your cream cheese and butter an hour ahead. Everything mixes better at room temperature. If you've got a mixer, use it - you'll get much fluffier results.

Success Strategies

Always mix your butter and cream cheese fully so there aren't any chunks. Add your sugar bit by bit to avoid a messy counter. Want beautiful decorative swirls? Chill your frosting first. Need to use a piping bag? Keep the mixture thick. Planning to spread it? Go for a softer texture.

Extra Touches

Finish with chopped nuts or crushed cookies. Pour more caramel over the top. Add thin apple slices for fall desserts. A sprinkle of sea salt just before serving makes it pop. These simple additions make everything look fancy without much effort.

A close-up of a vanilla cupcake topped with creamy caramel frosting and a drizzle of caramel sauce. Pin it
A close-up of a vanilla cupcake topped with creamy caramel frosting and a drizzle of caramel sauce. | cookingkitchn.com

Storage Advice

It'll stay good in your fridge for seven days. Bring it to room temperature before using. Give it a quick stir if it becomes firm. Don't leave it out too long or it'll start to soften too much. You can freeze it up to four weeks if needed.

Troubleshooting Tips

Running a bit thin? Toss in extra sugar. Too stiff? Add tiny splashes of milk. Overly sweet? Mix in another pinch of salt. Not sweet enough? Stir in more caramel. Keep these simple fixes in mind while you're making your batch.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Where to keep extra?

Store in an airtight container in your fridge. Lasts over a week. Bring to room temp before using. Stir well before applying. Don't store near foods with strong odors.

→ Want to make it early?

Whip it up several days ahead. Store covered in the fridge. Slowly bring to room temperature later. Give it a good stir afterwards. Sometimes it's even better than freshly made.

→ What goes good under it?

Works well on any cake type. Perfect for cookies too. Tastes great on banana bread. Makes simple desserts look fancy. Try it on brownies.

→ Need it more or less sweet?

Add extra caramel if needed. Gradually mix in more sugar. Sample as you mix. The salt balances sweetness nicely. Many people prefer it less sugary anyway.

→ Can you freeze it?

Sure, stays good for several months. Thaw slowly in your fridge. Stir thoroughly after thawing. Might need some adjustments. Fresh is nicer but frozen does the job.

→ Getting too soft?

Chill it briefly. Don't overbeat the mixture. Try adding more powdered sugar. Cold desserts help it stay firm. Be careful about warm rooms.

→ Want it smoother?

Make sure ingredients reach room temperature. Mix for extra time. Filter out any clumps. Clean bowl sides frequently. Quality butter makes a difference.

→ Taking it somewhere?

Transport in a cooled container. Bring extra for last-minute fixes. Pack firmly and securely. Consider having backup ingredients. Avoid hot cars during transport.

→ Making big batch?

Doubling works perfectly. Extend mixing duration. You might need extra sugar. Be careful of splatters. Use only the freshest ingredients.

→ Too thick or thin?

Add tiny amounts of milk to thin. More sugar will thicken it. Be careful with amounts. Stir between additions. Room temperature really matters.

→ Want more salt pop?

Add salt flakes on top. Gradually blend in extra salt. Use flaky sea salt instead of regular. Taste test frequently. Some folks love extra saltiness.

→ Need it fast?

Use room temperature ingredients. Warm up your cream cheese first. Beat thoroughly but quickly. Don't cut corners on whipping time. Watch out for lumps though.

Conclusion

Want options? Go for regular cream cheese blend. Maybe add some cinnamon for warmth. Lemon zest gives a tangy twist.

Salted Caramel Cheese Frosting

Quick delicious topping blend.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
10 Minutes
By: Sophia

Category: Sweet Delights

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 Servings (24 servings)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 ½ cup butter, room temperature.
02 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature.
03 ¾ teaspoon salt.
04 4 cups confectioners' sugar.
05 ⅓ cup rich caramel sauce.

Instructions

Step 01

Beat the butter with cream cheese in your mixing bowl until you get a smooth, creamy blend.

Step 02

Toss in your salt, dump the confectioners' sugar, and pour in caramel sauce. Mix slowly until sugar gets mostly worked in.

Step 03

Turn your mixer to high and whip everything for at least 2 minutes so it gets super fluffy and silky smooth.

Step 04

Add a splash of milk if it's too thick or sprinkle more sugar if it's too runny to get just the right feel.

Step 05

Spread it right away or keep it in the fridge in a sealed container. When you want to use cold frosting, let it warm up first, then whip it briefly.

Notes

  1. This sweet topping tastes amazing on vanilla, chocolate, or pumpkin treats.
  2. When kept in the fridge, your frosting stays good for about a week.
  3. Want more caramel kick? Go for a darker, more intense caramel sauce.

Tools You'll Need

  • Stand or hand mixer.
  • Mixing bowl.
  • Rubber spatula.
  • Storage container with lid.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~