Caramel Apple Frosting

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 19

Cook Time: 1

Total Time: 20

Servings: cups

Calories: 235kcal

Author: Emily

A delicious Caramel Apple Frosting made from scratch that tastes like fall!

In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment cream together the butter, cream cheese, and shortening for about 3 minutes. Add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, incorporating fully before adding the next cup. Add the apple flavoring mix in.
For the caramel, if you are using caramel candy, unwrap 8-10 caramels and place in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds and remove to stir. If it's needed, microwave for 20 more seconds until all of the caramel is melted together (careful, the bowl is hot!!). Make sure the heavy cream is room temp (or zap in the microwave for 15-20 seconds) and stir it into the caramel. You need the caramel to be pourable. If you are using caramel sauce from the jar, warm up in the microwave for about 20 seconds before adding the heavy cream and drizzling in.
With the mixer on low, drizzle the hot caramel into the frosting as quickly as you can. The caramel needs to be warm so it will melt into the frosting.
Once everything is incorporated, remove the bowl from the mixer and place the frosting in the fridge until you are ready to use it.

Frost the cooled cupcakes right before serving them or store the frosted treats in the fridge until you are ready to serve them.
This is one of those recipes where the ingredients need to be room temperature or you will not get a smooth frosting
The caramel step is pretty quick so have everything ready ahead of time. Don't add cold heavy cream to the warm caramel.

If you get a few pieces of caramel that didn't blend into the frosting, just pick them out (or leave them for a gooey caramel surprise!)

Because there is cream cheese, butter, and shortening in the frosting, it is pretty soft when you mix it together. As mentioned, store the frosting in the fridge until you are ready to use it.