Best 7 Burnt Sugar Icing Recipes

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Burnt sugar icing is a sweet, caramelized frosting made from sugar that has been heated until it turns a deep amber color. This unique icing has a rich, smoky flavor, a slightly crunchy texture, and a glossy finish that makes it the perfect topping for cakes, cupcakes, and other desserts. Whether you are an experienced baker or a beginner in the kitchen, this article will guide you through the steps of making burnt sugar icing, providing you with detailed instructions, helpful tips, and variations to suit your preferences.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

BURNT SUGAR FROSTING



Burnt Sugar Frosting image

Make and share this Burnt Sugar Frosting recipe from Food.com.

Provided by grandma2969

Categories     Dessert

Time 25m

Yield 3 cups?

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 1/2 cups sugar
1/3 cup boiling water
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1 pinch salt
1 teaspoon vanilla

Steps:

  • Place half of the cup sugar in a heavy skillet and cook, stirring over medium heat till melted.
  • Add the boiling water and stir till a syrup forms.
  • heat the remaining 2 cups of sugar and milk.
  • Add the cooked sugar mixture and cook to 234* -- soft ball stage.
  • Cool for 10 minutes without stirring.
  • Add the butter, salt and vanilla.
  • Beat till thick enough to spread easily.
  • If frosting becomes too stiff, add some milk.
  • enough frosting for 1 8" or 9" double layer cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 972.4, Fat 33.7, SaturatedFat 21.3, Cholesterol 92.7, Sodium 364.2, Carbohydrate 170.6, Sugar 166.5, Protein 3

BURNT SUGAR CAKE AND FROSTING



Burnt Sugar Cake and Frosting image

Make a burnt sugar cake and a frosting made with burnt sugar syrup. It's an old-time cake recipe and a favorite Southern cake.

Provided by Diana Rattray

Categories     Dessert     Cake

Time 1h5m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 20

For the Burnt Sugar Syrup:
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup boiling water
For the Burnt Sugar Cake:
3 cups sifted cake flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (6 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup burnt sugar syrup
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Burnt Sugar Frosting:
1/4 cup (2 ounces) unsalted butter
1 pound confectioners' sugar (about 3 1/2 cups), sifted
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup burnt sugar syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pecan halves, for garnish

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Melt 3/4 cup sugar in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it turns into a rich amber color.
  • Turn off heat, and very carefully add the boiling water. The mixture will spatter at first.
  • Return the syrup to low heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until the sugar and water are thoroughly mixed and smooth, about 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Set aside to cool to room temperature.
  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Adjust rack to lower third of oven; preheat the oven to 350 F.
  • Grease and flour two 9-inch layer cake pans. Line pans with buttered parchment or waxed paper rounds.
  • Sift together flour, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt; set aside.
  • Cream butter until smooth and creamy. Add the granulated sugar and continue creaming until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition until well blended. To the 1/2 cup of burnt sugar syrup add enough water to make 1 cup; stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with the burnt sugar syrup-water mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat until well blended and smooth. Divide the batter between the 2 cake pans.
  • Bake the cakes for about 25 minutes, or until the surface springs back slightly when lightly touched in the center with a finger. The cakes will contract slightly from the sides of the pans.
  • Cool 10 minutes in the pan on wire racks, then invert the cakes onto the racks. Carefully peel off paper liners; turn baked side up, and cool completely before frosting.
  • Fill and frost with Burnt Sugar Frosting (instructions below) and decorate with whole pecan halves .
  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Cream 1/4 cup unsalted butter until light and fluffy.
  • Sift the confectioners' sugar with the 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
  • Gradually beat the confectioners' sugar mixture into the butter with the remaining 1/4 cup Burnt Sugar Syrup and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Continue beating until creamy and spreadable. If the mixture is stiff, add water, about 1 teaspoon at a time.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 559 kcal, Carbohydrate 95 g, Cholesterol 87 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 5 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, Sodium 236 mg, Sugar 67 g, Fat 18 g, ServingSize 12 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

BROWN BUTTER ICING



Brown Butter Icing image

This simple, brown butter icing is a nutty, rich way to sweeten up our favorite Pumpkin Cake with Brown Butter Icing.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes

Yield Frosts 1 nine-inch cake

Number Of Ingredients 4

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat until nut-brown in color, about 10 minutes. Remove pan from heat, and pour butter into a bowl, leaving any burned sediment behind.
  • Add sugar, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon milk; stir until smooth. If the icing is too thick, add the remaining tablespoon milk, a little at a time, until consistency is spreadable. Let cool 5 minutes. Use immediately.

BURNT SUGAR CAKE II



Burnt Sugar Cake II image

This is my great grandmother's recipe dated 1938. It is made with caramelized sugar.

Provided by Lynn-Pgh

Categories     Desserts     Cakes

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 ¾ cups white sugar
⅓ cup hot water
3 cups sifted cake flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup butter
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅔ cup milk

Steps:

  • Prepare burnt sugar by placing 1/2 white sugar into a heavy skillet over medium high heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon as sugar melts. When it becomes very dark brown, remove from heat, add hot water very slowly and stir until dissolved. Set aside to cool.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees F). Line two 9 inch round baking pans with parchment paper.
  • Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together three times.
  • Cream the butter or margarine with the remaining 1 1/4 cups white sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating thoroughly after each. Stir in the vanilla and the burnt sugar syrup mixture.
  • Add the dry ingredients and milk alternately to the creamed mixture. Beat until smooth. Pour batter into the prepared pans.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 185.2 calories, Carbohydrate 29.1 g, Cholesterol 39 mg, Fat 6.7 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 2.5 g, SaturatedFat 3.9 g, Sodium 162.2 mg, Sugar 15 g

BURNT SUGAR CAKE (BETTY CROCKER: CIRCA 1956)



Burnt Sugar Cake (Betty Crocker: Circa 1956) image

This recipe is in response to a request for the Betty Crocker (1950-1960) version of the cake. I have tried to retain the authenticity of the period, hence the repetition of the ingredient amounts throughout the recipe. I hope you enjoy it. Mom used to make this one sometimes too!

Provided by Cindy Lynn

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h25m

Yield 18 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup boiling water
additional water, to make 1 cup liquid (see instructions)
2 1/4 cups Soft Silk flour
1 cup sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup soft shortening
2 eggs (1/3-1/2 cup)
1 teaspoon vanilla, if desired
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup boiling water
1/2 cup shortening (part butter)
2 1/2 tablespoons Soft Silk flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted (aka powdered sugar)
3 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Steps:

  • Syrup: To make syrup first caramelize the 1/2 cup sugar in a heavy skillet over low heat until clear and medium brown, shaking pan gently to keep from burning.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Add slowly, stirring constantly, 1/2 cup boiling water.
  • Stir over low heat until lumps are dissolved.
  • Measure and add water to make 1 cup liquid.
  • Cool.
  • Cake: Sift together into bowl, 2 1/4 cups sifted Softasilk flour, 1 cup sugar, 3 teaspoons baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt.
  • Add 1/2 cup soft shortening and 2/3 cup cooled caramel-water mixture.
  • Beat 2 minutes.
  • Add remaining 1/3 cup cooled caramel-water mixture, 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
  • Beat 2 more minutes.
  • Pour into greased and floured pans (2 8-inch pans, or 2 9-inch pans, or 1 9 X 13 oblong pan).
  • Makes a small cake.
  • Bake until cake tests done.
  • Cool.
  • Finish with Creamy Burnt Sugar Icing.
  • Preheat 350°F (moderate oven) 8-inch layers 30-35 minutes 9-inch layers 25-30 minutes oblong 9 X 13 35-40 minutes.
  • Creamy Burnt Sugar Icing: First make another caramel sugar-water mixture following directions in recipe above.
  • Caramelize 1/2 cup sugar.
  • Add 1/4 cup boiling water.
  • DO NOT ADD any more water!
  • Melt in saucepan 1/2 cup shortening (part butter).
  • Remove from heat and add 2 1/2 tablespoons Softasilk flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
  • Stir in slowly caramel-water mixture.
  • Bring to boil stirring constantly.
  • Boil 1 minute.
  • If mixture curdles, do not be alarmed.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Beat in alternately, 3 cups sifted confectioners' sugar and about 3 tablespoons water.
  • Set saucepan in bowl of cold water.
  • Beat until consistency to spread.
  • Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
  • If it becomes too thick to spread, add a little water.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 273.9, Fat 11.9, SaturatedFat 3, Cholesterol 23.5, Sodium 230.3, Carbohydrate 42.4, Sugar 41.9, Protein 0.7

BROWN-SUGAR ICING



Brown-Sugar Icing image

Use this recipe to top our Hermit Bars.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes

Yield Makes 3/4 cup

Number Of Ingredients 5

1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
2 tablespoons milk, plus more as needed
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar, plus more as needed

Steps:

  • Combine brown sugar, milk, and butter in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the butter has melted and sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat, and whisk in vanilla and confectioners' sugar. If the icing is too thick to drizzle, stir in a little more milk. If it is too thin, add a little more confectioners' sugar. Let cool slightly before using.

BURNT BUTTER FROSTING



Burnt Butter Frosting image

This unusual frosting recipe is made with burnt butter! It is excellent on yellow cakes, and I always get rave reviews. Do not substitute margarine for butter in this recipe!

Provided by Cheryl

Categories     Desserts     Frostings and Icings     Buttercream

Time 11m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 4

½ cup butter
4 cups confectioners' sugar
4 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Place the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the butter is a nice tan color. If it gets dark brown or black you have allowed it to burn too long. When butter has been "burned" remove the saucepan from the heat.
  • Slowly mix in confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Beat on high speed of an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the milk a tablespoon at a time until desired spreading consistency is achieved. Use frosting immediately, as this frosting will set up quickly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 224.5 calories, Carbohydrate 39.9 g, Cholesterol 20.3 mg, Fat 7.7 g, Protein 0.1 g, SaturatedFat 4.9 g, Sodium 54.9 mg, Sugar 39.2 g

Tips:

  • Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan: This will help prevent the sugar from burning.
  • Be patient: It takes time for the sugar to caramelize. Don't rush the process or you'll end up with burnt sugar.
  • Stir the sugar constantly: This will help prevent it from clumping and burning.
  • Use a candy thermometer: This is the best way to ensure that the sugar reaches the correct temperature.
  • Have all of your ingredients ready before you start: This will help you avoid scrambling when the sugar is caramelizing.
  • Work quickly: Once the sugar is caramelized, it will start to harden quickly. Be sure to add the milk and butter immediately.

Conclusion:

Burnt sugar icing is a delicious and versatile frosting that can be used on a variety of desserts. It is easy to make, but it does require some patience. By following the tips above, you can ensure that your burnt sugar icing turns out perfect every time.

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