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Old-Fashioned Caramel Icing

A delightful and nostalgic topping that adds a rich sweetness to cakes and desserts, perfect for enhancing any dessert experience.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Dessert, Topping
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

Icing Ingredients

  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 ⅓ cups whole milk Use cold milk for best results.
  • 1 ½ sticks cold butter Cut into small pieces for easier mixing.
  • 5 tablespoons granulated sugar For caramelizing.

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • In a heavy saucepan, combine 3 cups of granulated sugar and 1 1/3 cups of whole milk over medium heat. Stir gently to mix the ingredients.
  • In a small iron skillet, heat 5 tablespoons of sugar over medium-high heat. Stir constantly until the sugar becomes golden and bubbly, turning into caramel.
  • Slowly whisk the caramel into the milk-sugar mixture in the saucepan.
  • Cook this mixture for about 15 minutes, stirring regularly, until it reaches the soft ball stage. Test by dropping a bit into cold water—it should form a soft ball.
  • Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the cold butter until the icing is smooth.
  • If the icing thickens too much, add milk one tablespoon at a time until it becomes spreadable.
  • Allow it to cool slightly before spreading over a completely cooled cake.

Notes

Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent the sugar from burning. Adjust thickness by adding milk little by little. You can enhance the flavor by adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a pinch of sea salt.
Keyword Caramel Icing, Dessert Topping, Homemade Icing, Icing Recipe, Old-Fashioned Icing