Indulge in the delicious taste of Caramel Cream Cheese Condensed Milk Buttercream, a perfect blend of fluffy unsalted butter, rich sweetened condensed milk, smooth caramel, and creamy cream cheese. It's perfect for your cakes, cupcakes, macarons, and more!
You can easily make this versatile frosting for a delicious treat. Follow the recipe for a foolproof, silky smooth cream cheese buttercream every time. It's your turn to create something delicious and unforgettable!
Why You'll Love Cream Cheese Condensed Milk Buttercream
You'll love this recipe because, firstly, it's incredibly easy to make. Even if you're new to baking, you can whip up this buttercream with ease. Secondly, the blend of flavors is just delicious. The combination of fluffy butter, sweet condensed milk, rich caramel, and creamy cream cheese creates a luxurious taste that elevates any dessert.
Additionally, its can be used with many types of desserts. Whether you're decorating cakes, topping cupcakes, or filling macarons, this buttercream works perfectly. Lastly, the texture is unbeatable – silky smooth and just the right amount of richness. It's a recipe that guarantees a delicious treat every time, making your baking creations the talk of any gathering.
Cream Cheese Buttercream can be a tricky on to master which is why I'm pretty confident this will soon become one of your favorite recipes. Give it a go and while you're at it, why not pair it with Quick Easy Crazy Carrot Cake Recipe or our Banana Muffins!
Ingredients Used In Cream Cheese Condensed Milk Buttercream
- Unsalted Butter: The base of the cream cheese buttercream, unsalted butter provides a rich, creamy texture and allows for control over the sweetness and saltiness of the frosting. If salted butter is used instead, it adds a slight savory note that can complement the sweetness.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: This ingredient adds sweetness and a smooth, creamy consistency. Condensed milk contributes to the buttercream's rich texture and distinct flavor.
- Caramel Sauce or Dulce de Leche: Caramel sauce or dulce de leche brings in a deep, caramelized sugar flavor that pairs beautifully with the creamy elements. It enhances the buttercream with a luxurious, sweet taste.
- Cream Cheese: Cream cheese adds a slight tanginess, balancing the sweetness of the other ingredients. It also contributes to the smooth, spreadable texture of the buttercream, making it ideal for frosting cakes and other desserts.
How To Make Cream Cheese Condensed Milk Buttercream
Begin with the Butter: First up, take your softened butter. Using a hand mixer, beat it until it becomes really light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it forms the base of your buttercream, ensuring it's airy and smooth.
Add Sweetened Condensed Milk: Now, gently pour in the sweetened condensed milk while continuing to mix. Blend it thoroughly with the butter. This is key for creating that creamy, sweet base. Make sure the mixture becomes homogeneous without any lumps.
Incorporate Caramel: Then, it's time to add your caramel sauce or dulce de leche. Mix it in until it's completely blended with the butter and condensed milk. The caramel not only adds flavor but also a beautiful golden hue to your buttercream.
Blend in Cream Cheese: Next, introduce the cream cheese. Be gentle and mix just enough to incorporate it into the buttercream. If you mix too much after adding the cream cheese, the texture can become grainy or the mixture might split.
Final Adjustments: Lastly, switch from your mixer to a silicone spatula. Use the spatula to fold the buttercream gently. This helps smooth out the texture and ensures your cream cheese buttercream isn't overly airy, perfect for a silky finish.
Now your Caramel Cream Cheese Condensed Milk Buttercream is ready. It's great for a variety of uses - spreading on cakes, piping onto cupcakes, filling macarons, or as a sandwich for cookies. Happy baking and enjoy the rich, creamy delight you've created!
My Top Tip
The most important tip for you when making this Caramel Cream Cheese Condensed Milk Buttercream is to be careful with your mixing, especially when you add the cream cheese.
You need to mix just enough to get the cream cheese blended into the buttercream, but avoid overmixing. If you mix it too much, your buttercream might split or curdle, which can ruin both its look and texture.
Getting the mixing just right is crucial to end up with a smooth, creamy, and stable cream cheese buttercream that'll make your desserts amazing. Remember, this careful balance in mixing is what will give you that luxurious, silky texture that sets this buttercream apart.
Variations And Substitutions
- Vanilla Cream Cheese Buttercream: You can skip the caramel and add vanilla extract instead. This will give you a classic cream cheese buttercream with a rich vanilla flavor, perfect for those who prefer a more traditional taste.
- Caramel Condensed Milk Buttercream (Without Cream Cheese): If you leave out the cream cheese, you'll get a caramel condensed milk buttercream. This variation focuses more on the sweet, rich flavor of caramel and is great for those who love a more straightforward sweet frosting. In this case you can experiment with adding more caramel.
- Butter: It's important not to substitute the butter in this recipe. Margarine, for example, won't work because it will make the buttercream too soft to pipe or set properly.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Always use whole milk, full sugar sweetened condensed milk. Avoid using skim milk or low sugar options. These can cause the buttercream to turn out too thin and affect its ability to hold shape.
By sticking to these guidelines and experimenting with the suggested variations, you can create a cream cheese buttercream that's perfectly suited to your taste and the requirements of your dessert. Remember, the quality of the ingredients plays a big role in the final outcome of the buttercream.
More Sweetened Condensed Milk Buttercream Recipes
- Espresso Martini Buttercream
- Mango and Chocolate Condensed Milk Buttercream
- Chocolate Condensed Milk Buttercream
Common Questions
No, it's important to use real butter. Margarine will make the buttercream too soft and it won't hold its shape well when piped.
It's best to use full-fat sweetened condensed milk. Low-fat or skim milk versions can make the buttercream too thin.
Absolutely! If you're not a fan of caramel, you can leave it out. Try adding vanilla extract for a classic cream cheese buttercream.
You can make the recipe without cream cheese, which will give you a caramel condensed milk buttercream. Just keep in mind it will have a different texture and taste.
Yes, you can make it in advance. Store it in the refrigerator and then let it come to room temperature and re-whip it before using.
Yes, you can add food coloring. Gel food coloring is recommended as it won't affect the consistency.
Cream Cheese Condensed Milk Buttercream (Caramel)
INGREDIENTS
- 500 g (2 ⅕ cups) butter unsalted and softened
- 395 g (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoon (2 tablespoon) caramel sauce or delce de leche
- 125 g (4 ⅖ oz) cream cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
- Begin with the Butter: In a mixing bowl, add the softened butter. Use a hand mixer to beat it for 3-5 minutes until it becomes light and fluffy. This step is crucial for a smooth texture.
- Incorporate Condensed Milk: Gently pour all the sweetened condensed milk into the butter while mixing. Continue to mix with the hand mixer for another 2-3 minutes to ensure full incorporation. The mixture should be smooth and homogenous.
- Add Caramel Flavor: Introduce the caramel sauce or dulce de leche to the mixture. Mix for about 1 minute until the caramel is fully incorporated and the mixture attains an even color and flavor distribution.
- Blend in Cream Cheese: Add the cream cheese to the mixture. Mix only until it is fully incorporated and the texture is smooth. Avoid overmixing at this stage to prevent the buttercream from splitting or curdling.
- Final Texture Adjustment: Swap out the hand mixer for a silicone spatula. Gently fold the buttercream with the spatula to knock out some of the air bubbles, achieving a smoother consistency.
- Ready for Use: Your Caramel Cream Cheese Condensed Milk Buttercream is now ready. It's perfect for piping onto cupcakes, layering, covering, and decorating cakes. This buttercream can also be used as a delicious filling for macarons, whoopie pies, and cookie sandwiches. For the best texture, especially in filled desserts, refrigerate them before serving to allow the buttercream to set.
NOTES
NUTRITION
Video Tutorials You Might Like
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raquel says
is that would be good to make flowers, it would hold?
Thanks
Fay says
Hi Raquel, The cream cheese makes it a bit too soft to make flowers. Also, it is not a crusting buttercream.
Jane says
Hi am a beginner i would love to learn more
Fay says
Welcome Jane! You can find lots of step-by-step guided recipes here on the website. Also, they each come with a Video Tutorial which you can find towards the bottom of the each page in the recipe card. Enjoy!
Jenny says
Why not mix the cream cheese first than incorporate the butter and cream mix?
Fay says
Hi Jenny! You can definitely do that if you like. I find adding the cream cheese too early can mean it becomes overworked/mixed by the end which can cause it to curdle.
Nancy says
Is there a way to convert the recipe to cups?
Fay says
Hi Nancy! Yes, if you Google each ingredient it will be converted for you. Just type something like "convert 500g butter to pounds"
Holly says
I finally found my go to cream cheese frosting. This frosting is has amazing flavor, and pipes great. Most cream cheese frosting ends up on the soft side making it difficult to work with for decorating, not this one. I omitted the Carmel and added 3tsp vanilla and some crushed up Oreos for my valentines red velvet cookies. The flavor was lip smacking delicious and I could not stop licking the bowl. Highly recommend. Thanks Fay, and thanks for the detailed instructions.
Holly says
This is the absolutely best cream cheese frosting. So smooth, awesome flavor and great consistency for pipping. I find that most cream cheese frosting is always on the soft side making it hard to pipe. The flavor is so good I could not stop licking the bowl. I did not add the Carmel and added 2tsp vanilla. I crushed up some Oreo cookies and used this for my valentines red velvet cookies. Thank you for the detailed instructions Thanks Fay, I now and finally have my go to cream cheese frosting. Highly recommend
Holly says
This is the best tasting cream cheese frosting i have ever had. It's so good, i could not stop liking the bowl. its so creamy, light, great flavor and pipes like a dream. Most of the cream cheese frosting recipes i have tried always end up too soft and so sweet. I omitted the Carmel and added 2 tsp pure vanilla extract. I pulsed some oreo cookies and folded them in the cream cheese frosting. I topped this on my valentines red velvet cookies. OMG, lip smacking delicious. Thanks Fay, and thanks for the detailed instructions and variations.
Fay says
I am absolutely thrilled Holly!