Tasty Tuesday - Installation # 3 - Wednesday Edition

Pumpkin cupcakes with Salted Caramel Icing

While looking for pumpkin cupcakes I came across this recipe. I tried to tweak it, make it my own and nothing helped, the recipe is PERFECT. I recommend you follow it to a tea and make no changes or alterations.

Then top it with the salted caramel frosting and you will die. Like heaven in a paper wrapper. This is the most requested frosting I've ever made.

Salted Caramel Frosting

Step One

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup half and half
  
• 2 teaspoon course sea salt
• 1/2 cup butter (room temperature)
  
• 1 1/3 cups powdered sugar

To make the caramel use a regular non coated saucepan, do NOT use a non stick pan. Make sure you have the half and half and butter premeasured and ready to go. Add sugar and water into saucepan over medium high heat. Stir occasionally while the sugar melts, once it melts keep stirring until the sugar boils. It should turn an amber color, but be careful and don't let it get too dark. Just so you know mine never boiled, and turned out fine. Once the color is right or boils remove from heat and add half and half and cream and whisk vigorously and immediately, but also stand back the sugar is going to bubble and steam. Whisk until everything is incorporated and you have a nice syruppy mixture. If you have any hard clumps return the pan to a low heat and continue to whisk while breaking them up (um, yeah every time for me!) This usually takes between 5-7 minutes. Once you have the right consistency add salt and stir. Allow caramel to cool to room temperature, do not put it in the fridge unless you plan on thawing it out later, which is a total pain in the ass.

Step Two

Take the 1/2 cup of butter and put in electric mixer and whip for 3 minutes. Add 2/3 cups confectioners sugar, incorporate and then whip for 1 minute, add caramel, mix until incorporated. Add last 2/3 cups confectioners sugar, again, mix until incorporated then whip for 3 minutes. Then slather all over everything! Not only are the amazeballs on the pumpkin cupcakes, but they are beyond sinful on last weeks fried apple ones. Everyone will want to know when you became awesome, seriously they are asking me this, should I be offended?