Best Praline Frosting Recipes

HAZELNUT CAKE WITH PRALINE AND MILK CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the middle position. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9-by-3-inch round cake pan with vegetable spray. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick silicone baking mat; set aside.
• Make the sponge cake: Grind the hazelnuts in a food processor with 1/4 cup sugar. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cornstarch, and hazelnut mixture; set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the whole eggs, the yolks, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, salt, and almond extract on high speed until thick and pale yellow in color, and mixture holds a thick ribbon when whisk is lifted from bowl, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove bowl from mixer; gently and quickly fold in flour mixture. Gradually drizzle in oil, while folding.
• Pour batter into prepared cake pan. Set on prepared baking sheet, and bake until a tester comes out clean when inserted into the center of the cake, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and turn cake out immediately onto a wire rack. Let cool for at least 1 hour.
• Make the buttercream: In the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer set over (but not touching) simmering water, whisk egg whites, sugar, and salt until warm to the touch, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer bowl to mixer fitted with whisk attachment and beat until stiff peaks form. With the mixer running, gradually beat in butter, piece by piece. When all the butter has been added, mixture will break but it will become smooth as you continue to beat. Beat in vanilla. Divide buttercream in half, returning one half to the mixer bowl to make the chocolate flavor and setting aside the remaining half for the praline buttercream.
• Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over (but not touching) simmering water. Slowly beat into buttercream in mixer. Add cocoa mixture and beat until buttercream is cooled; set aside.
• Using a small offset spatula, spread praline paste onto a clean work surface. Smooth paste with a spatula, working out any lumps. Add 1/2 cup reserved buttercream to praline paste and fold it into buttercream. Once the paste and buttercream are fully combined and there are no lumps, fold praline mixture into remaining reserved buttercream.
• Using a serrated knife, trim top of cake to make level. Cut cake horizontally into even thirds. Place four strips of parchment paper around perimeter of a serving plate or lazy Susan. Place the first layer on the cake plate and top with a 1/3- to 1/2-inch layer of praline buttercream. Place second layer on top; top with remaining praline buttercream. Top with remaining layer.
• Spread a thin layer of the chocolate buttercream over the tops and sides of the cake to cover, creating a "crumb" layer. Transfer to refrigerator for 15 minutes to set. Spread tops and sides of cake with remaining chocolate buttercream; serve.

ALMOND PRALINE CAKE WITH MASCARPONE FROSTING AND CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• For ganache filling:
• Simmer cream and sugar in medium saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add chocolate; whisk until smooth. Chill until just spreadable, about 6 hours.
• For almond cake:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Line bottoms with parchment paper; dust pans with flour. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in bowl. Using heavy-duty mixer, blend brown sugar and butter in large bowl. Beat in almond paste 1 piece at a time, then beat until smooth. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extracts. Fold in dry ingredients. Divide batter among pans; smooth tops. Bake cakes until tester inserted into centers comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on rack.
• For almond praline:
• Line baking sheet with foil. Stir sugar and 1/4 cup water in heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat; boil without stirring until deep amber, swirling pan and brushing down sides with wet pastry brush occasionally. Mix in nuts. Pour onto foil; cool. Peel foil off praline. Chop praline coarsely. DO AHEAD Praline can be made 1 day ahead; store airtight at room temperature.
• For mascarpone frosting:
• Beat all ingredients in large bowl just to soft peaks (do not overbeat or mixture will curdle).
• Run knife around pan sides to loosen cakes. Turn cakes out; peel off paper. Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread half of ganache over; sprinkle with 1/4 cup praline. Top with second cake layer. Spread remaining ganache over; sprinkle with 1/4 cup praline. Top with third cake layer. Spread frosting over top and sides of cake. DO AHEAD Cake can be made 1 day ahead; cover with cake dome and chill. Store remaining praline airtight at room temperature.
• For chocolate bark:
• Line baking sheet with foil. Melt chocolate in small bowl set over saucepan of simmering water. Stir until smooth. Remove from over water. Drizzle all but 1 tablespoon chocolate over foil in thick (about 1-inch-wide) zigzag lines (chocolate will pool in spots). Sprinkle 3 tablespoons praline over chocolate; chill bark until firm, about 1 hour.
• Press praline around bottom 2 inches of cake; sprinkle more atop. Peel foil off bark; break into pieces. Press edges into frosting atop cake. Remelt 1 tablespoon chocolate over simmering water, stirring often. Using spoon, drizzle chocolate over cake. DO AHEAD Chill up to 4 hours. Serve cold or at room temperature.

BOURBON-CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH PRALINE FROSTING

Steps:

• 1. Grease bottoms of 3 (8-inch) round cake pans; line with wax paper. Grease and flour wax paper and sides of pans; set pans aside.
• 2. Cook first 3 ingredients in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, 3 to 5 minutes or until butter melts and mixture is smooth; remove from heat, and let cool.
• 3. Beat buttermilk and next 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add butter mixture to buttermilk mixture, beating until blended. Combine sugar, flour, and salt; gradually add to buttermilk mixture, beating until blended. (Batter will be thin.) Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
• 4. Bake at 350° for 25 to 28 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. (Cake layers will appear thin.).
• 5. Spread about 1/2 cup Chocolate Ganache between each cake layer; spread remaining Chocolate Ganache on sides of cake. (Do not frost top of cake.) Chill cake 30 minutes. Pour warm Praline Frosting slowly over top of cake, spreading to edges. (Cover and let stand up to 24 hours, if desired.).
• 6. Pierce about 25 holes in top of cake using a wooden or metal skewer. Pour warm Bourbon Glaze over cake.
• Chocolate Ganache:.
• 1. Microwave chocolate morsels and cream in a glass bowl on MEDIUM (50% power) 2 to 3 minutes or until morsels are melted, stirring after 1 1/2 minutes; whisk until smooth. Gradually add butter, whisking until smooth. Cool about 35 minutes or until spreading consistency, whisking every 10 minutes.
• Praline Frosting:.
• 1. Bake pecans on a baking sheet at 350° for 15 minutes or until golden brown, stirring once.
• 2. Bring butter, brown sugar, and cream to a boil in a 2-qt. saucepan over medium heat, stirring often; boil, stirring often, 1 minute. Remove from heat, and whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add toasted pecans; stir gently 3 minutes or until frosting begins to cool and thicken slightly.
• Bourbon Glaze:.
• 1. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium-high heat; stir in sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Remove skillet from heat, and stir in bourbon. Carefully ignite the fumes just above liquid mixture with a long match or long multipurpose lighter. Let stand until flames disappear.

BOURBON-CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH PRALINE FROSTING RECIPE - (3.5/5)

Steps:

• Preparation 1. Grease bottoms of 3 (8-inch) round cake pans; line with wax paper. Grease and flour wax paper and sides of pans; set pans aside. 2. Cook first 3 ingredients in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, 3 to 5 minutes or until butter melts and mixture is smooth; remove from heat, and let cool. 3. Beat buttermilk and next 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add butter mixture to buttermilk mixture, beating until blended. Combine sugar, flour, and salt; gradually add to buttermilk mixture, beating until blended. (Batter will be thin.) Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. 4. Bake at 350° for 25 to 28 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. (Cake layers will appear thin.) 5. Spread about 1/2 cup Chocolate Ganache between each cake layer; spread remaining Chocolate Ganache on sides of cake. (Do not frost top of cake.) Chill cake 30 minutes. Pour warm Praline Frosting slowly over top of cake, spreading to edges. (Cover and let stand up to 24 hours, if desired.) 6. Pierce about 25 holes in top of cake using a wooden or metal skewer. Pour warm Bourbon Glaze over cake. *Chocolate Ganache* Ingredients 2 cups (12 oz.) semisweet chocolate morsels 1/3 cup whipping cream 1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces Preparation 1. Microwave chocolate morsels and cream in a glass bowl on MEDIUM (50% power) 2 to 3 minutes or until morsels are melted, stirring after 1 1/2 minutes; whisk until smooth. Gradually add butter, whisking until smooth. Cool about 35 minutes or until spreading consistency, whisking every 10 minutes. *Praline Frosting* Ingredients 1/2 cup chopped pecans 2 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 3 tablespoons whipping cream 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Preparation 1. Bake pecans on a baking sheet at 350° for 15 minutes or until golden brown, stirring once. 2. Bring butter, brown sugar, and cream to a boil in a 2-qt. saucepan over medium heat, stirring often; boil, stirring often, 1 minute. Remove from heat, and whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add toasted pecans; stir gently 3 minutes or until frosting begins to cool and thicken slightly. *Bourbon Glaze* Ingredients 4 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/3 cup bourbon Preparation 1. Melt 4 Tbsp. butter in a skillet over medium-high heat; stir in sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Remove skillet from heat, and stir in bourbon. Carefully ignite the fumes just above liquid mixture with a long match or long multipurpose lighter. Let stand until flames disappear.

CHOCOLATE CAKE W/ PRALINE FROSTING & BOURBON GLAZE

Steps:

• 1. Grease bottoms of 3 (8-inch) round cake pans; line with wax paper. Grease and flour wax paper and sides of pans; set pans aside. Cook first 3 ingredients in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, 3 to 5 minutes or until butter melts and mixture is smooth; remove from heat, and let cool. Beat buttermilk and next 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add butter mixture to buttermilk mixture, beating until blended. Combine sugar, flour, and salt; gradually add to buttermilk mixture, beating until blended. (Batter will be thin.) Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 25 to 28 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. (Cake layers will appear thin.) Spread about 1/2 cup Chocolate Ganache between each cake layer; spread remaining Chocolate Ganache on sides of cake. (Do not frost top of cake.) Chill cake 30 minutes. Pour warm Praline Frosting slowly over top of cake, spreading to edges. (Cover and let stand up to 24 hours, if desired.) Pierce about 25 holes in top of cake using a wooden or metal skewer. Pour warm Bourbon Glaze over cake.
• 2. CHOCOLATE GANACHE: Microwave chocolate morsels and cream in a glass bowl on MEDIUM (50% power) 2 to 3 minutes or until morsels are melted, stirring after 1 1/2 minutes; whisk until smooth. Gradually add butter, whisking until smooth. Cool about 35 minutes or until spreading consistency, whisking every 10 minutes.
• 3. PRALINE FROSTING: Roast pecans on a baking sheet at 350° for 15 minutes or until golden brown, stirring once. Bring butter, brown sugar, and cream to a boil in a 2-qt. saucepan over medium heat, stirring often; boil, stirring often, 1 minute. Remove from heat, and whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add toasted pecans; stir gently 3 minutes or until frosting begins to cool and thicken slightly.
• 4. BOURBON GLAZE: Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium-high heat; stir in sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Remove skillet from heat, and stir in bourbon. Carefully ignite the fumes just above liquid mixture with a long match or long multipurpose lighter. Let stand until flames disappear.

GLUTEN-FREE PECAN PIE BUNDT CAKE WITH PECAN CRUMBLE AND PRALINE FROSTING

Steps:

• For the gluten-free flour blend: In a large bowl, whisk together the rice flour, tapioca flour, potato starch, xanthan gum and salt.
• For the pecan crumble: In a small bowl, stir together the pecans, brown sugar and cinnamon with 2 teaspoons gluten-free flour blend.
• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 12-cup bundt cake pan with butter or gluten-free cooking spray. In a medium bowl, whisk together the baking powder, baking soda and salt with 1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour blend.
• Using an electric mixer, in a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the egg mixture, alternating and beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Transfer half of the batter to the prepared pan and sprinkle half of the pecan crumble mixture on top. Repeat with the remaining batter and pecan crumble mixture. Using a butter knife, swirl the crumble mixture into the batter in a crisscross motion. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack and invert onto a cake plate.
• For the frosting: In a small saucepan, bring the brown sugar, butter and milk to a boil over medium heat. Let boil 1 minute, whisking constantly. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Gradually whisk in the confectioners' sugar until combined. Whisk for about 3 minutes to cool slightly; pour the frosting over the cooled cake and top immediately with the pecans to decorate.

BOURBON-CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH PRALINE FROSTING

Steps:

• Grease bottoms of 3 8-inch round cake pans; line with wax paper. Grease and flour wax paper and sides of pans; set aside.
• Cook first 3 ingredients in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, 3 to 5 minutes or until butter melts and mixture is smooth; remove from heat, and let cool.
• Beat buttermilk and next 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add butter mixture to buttermilk mixture, beating until blended. Combine sugar, flour, and salt; gradually add to buttermilk mixture, beating until blended. (Batter will be thin). Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
• Bake at 350°F for 25 to 28 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. (Cakes will appear thin).
• Spread about 1/2 cup Chocolate Ganache between each cake layer; spread remaining Chocolate Ganache on sides of cake. (Do not frost top of cake). Chill cake 30 minutes. Pour warm Praline Frosting slowly over top of cake, spreading to edges. (Cover and let stand up to 24 hours, if desired).
• Pierce about 25 holes in top of cake using a wooden or metal skewer. Pour warm Bourbon Glaze over cake.

PECAN PRALINE COOKIES WITH BROWN SUGAR FROSTING RECIPE - (4.1/5)

Steps:

• COOKIES: In a large mixing bowl, beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer. Gradually add sugars, mixing well. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, soda and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed mixture, stirring after each addition. Stir in the chopped pecans. Chill dough for 30 minutes. When chilled, remove from the refrigerator. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place the balls of dough on un-greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350°F for 10 - 12 minutes. Cool on wire racks. When cool, spread Brown Sugar Frosting over the tops of the cookies. Top each with a pecan half before the icing sets. BROWN SUGAR FROSTING: Combine brown sugar and half & half in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Boil 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in butter. Add 1½ cups powdered sugar. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add a little more powdered sugar, if needed, to achieve a desired spreading consistency.

PEAR SPICE CAKE W/CREAM CHEESE FROSTING & PECAN PRALINE TOPPING

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Butter two 9" cake pans, and line bottoms with parchment paper. Mix dry ingredients for cake in a large bowl. Stir 1/2 cup butter in small saucepan over medium heat until melted and brown, about 3 min. To the dry mixture, add pear nectar, eggs, molasses and crystallized ginger, then add brown butter. Using an electric mixer, beat batter 2 min on medium speed. Fold in pears. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake until cake is dark brown and tester inserted into center comes out with some moist crumbs attached, about 25 min. Layers will be very thin. Cool cake in pans on racks for 15 min. Shake pans gently to be sure cake is free (run knife around edge if necessary), dump out and turn back onto parchment side, finish cooling on racks. Meanwhile, make frosting by beating cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time until most of it is incorporated. Taste for sweetness, adjust to taste. Add sour cream, beat until incorporated. Add vanilla, beat until frosting is light and fluffy. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour. (Can be made 1 day in advance.) Peel parchment off, torte layers. Place first layer on cake board or serving platter. Put a layer of frosting on. Repeat with next two layers, then put the last layer of cake on top, smooth side up (no crumbs!). Do not frost top. Frost sides of cake smooth, then pipe an edge around the top to hold the praline topping. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight. Shortly before serving, make topping by stirring butter, brown sugar and heavy cream in a heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat until smooth. Boil 3 min, stirring often. Stir in pecan halves. Take cake out of fridge, spoon warm topping into center. Serve immediately for gooey texture, or later for a more southern praline texture.

WALNUT-PRALINE CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Process 2/3 cup nuts in food processor or blender until finely ground. Prepare cake batter as directed on package; stir in ground nuts. Pour into 2 (9-inch) round pans sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 25 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool 10 min. Remove cakes from pans to wire racks; cool completely.
• Meanwhile, cover baking sheet with foil; spray with cooking spray. Bring granulated sugar and water to boil in small saucepan on medium-high heat; simmer on medium-low heat 5 min. or until deep golden brown, stirring occasionally. Stir in remaining nuts; spread onto prepared baking sheet. Cool completely.
• Beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl with mixer until blended. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating well after each addition. Melt chocolate as directed on package; cool slightly.
• Reserve 2 cups frosting. Add 2/3 of the melted chocolate to remaining frosting in bowl; beat until blended. Carefully remove nuts from foil; break into small clusters.
• Cut each cake layer horizontally in half; stack on plate, spreading chocolate frosting between layers. Frost top and side of cake with reserved plain cream cheese frosting. Sprinkle nuts over top of cake. Drizzle with remaining melted chocolate.

HAZELNUT PRALINE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• 1. Beat softened butter in a bowl with a hand-held mixer.
• 2. Add powdered sugar - use low speed when incorporating it into the butter, then whip until pale yellow.
• 3. Add the vanilla and the hazelnut praline paste. Beat together until a uniform color.

HUMMINGBIRD CUPCAKES WITH CREAM CHEESE-MAPLE FROSTING AND PRALINE TOPPER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 30 muffin tin cups with paper liners.
• Cream 2 cups sugar, 1 cup butter, eggs, and vanilla extract together in a bowl. Combine mashed bananas and pineapple in a separate bowl. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a separate bowl.
• Add flour mixture and banana mixture to the bowl with the butter mixture in alternating additions, mixing well after each. Stir in coconut and pecans. Fill lined muffin tin cups 2/3 full with batter.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a cupcake top bounces back when pressed, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
• Heat 1 1/2 cups white sugar, dark brown sugar, milk, corn syrup, 2 tablespoons butter, and salt in a heavy saucepan over medium heat to a soft-ball candy thermometer reading of 235 degrees F (112 degrees C). Remove from heat and add vanilla extract. Scoop caramel mixture onto a sheet of waxed paper while still warm. Add pecans while still warm and allow praline topping to cool before handling further.
• Combine cream cheese, 1 cup butter, and maple syrup together in a bowl, scraping the sides down with a spatula. Add confectioners' sugar slowly until frosting is well mixed.
• Add frosting to the tops of the cooled cupcakes and top with praline topping.

PRALINE FROSTING

Steps:

• Bake pecans on a baking sheet at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown, stirring once.
• Bring butter, brown sugar, and cream to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring often; boil, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat, and whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
• Add toasted pecans; stir gently 3 minutes or until frosting begins to cool and thicken slightly.

PECAN PRALINE COOKIES WITH BROWN SUGAR FROSTING

Steps:

• Cookies:
• In a large mixing bowl, beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer. Gradually add sugars, mixing well. Add egg and vanilla; beat well. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, soda and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the creamed mixture, stirring after each addition. Stir in the chopped pecans. Chill dough for 30 minutes.
• When chilled, remove from the refrigerator. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place the balls of dough on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes. Cool on wire racks. When cool, spread Brown Sugar Frosting over the tops of the cookies. Top each with a pecan half before the icing sets.
• Brown Sugar Frosting:
• Combine brown sugar and half & half in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Boil 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in butter. Add 1½ cups powdered sugar. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add a little more powdered sugar, if needed, to achieve a desired spreading consistency.

HAZELNUT CAKE WITH PRALINE AND MILK CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the middle position. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9-by-3-inch round cake pan with vegetable spray. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick silicone baking mat; set aside.
• Make the sponge cake: Grind the hazelnuts in a food processor with 1/4 cup sugar. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, cornstarch, and hazelnut mixture; set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the whole eggs, the yolks, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, salt, and almond extract on high speed until thick and pale yellow in color, and mixture holds a thick ribbon when whisk is lifted from bowl, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove bowl from mixer; gently and quickly fold in flour mixture. Gradually drizzle in oil, while folding.
• Pour batter into prepared cake pan. Set on prepared baking sheet, and bake until a tester comes out clean when inserted into the center of the cake, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and turn cake out immediately onto a wire rack. Let cool for at least 1 hour.
• Make the buttercream: In the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer set over (but not touching) simmering water, whisk egg whites, sugar, and salt until warm to the touch, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer bowl to mixer fitted with whisk attachment and beat until stiff peaks form. With the mixer running, gradually beat in butter, piece by piece. When all the butter has been added, mixture will break but it will become smooth as you continue to beat. Beat in vanilla. Divide buttercream in half, returning one half to the mixer bowl to make the chocolate flavor and setting aside the remaining half for the praline buttercream.
• Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over (but not touching) simmering water. Slowly beat into buttercream in mixer. Add cocoa mixture and beat until buttercream is cooled; set aside.
• Using a small offset spatula, spread praline paste onto a clean work surface. Smooth paste with a spatula, working out any lumps. Add 1/2 cup reserved buttercream to praline paste and fold it into buttercream. Once the paste and buttercream are fully combined and there are no lumps, fold praline mixture into remaining reserved buttercream.
• Using a serrated knife, trim top of cake to make level. Cut cake horizontally into even thirds. Place four strips of parchment paper around perimeter of a serving plate or lazy Susan. Place the first layer on the cake plate and top with a 1/3- to 1/2-inch layer of praline buttercream. Place second layer on top; top with remaining praline buttercream. Top with remaining layer.
• Spread a thin layer of the chocolate buttercream over the tops and sides of the cake to cover, creating a "crumb" layer. Transfer to refrigerator for 15 minutes to set. Spread tops and sides of cake with remaining chocolate buttercream; serve.

DULCE DE LECHE CUPCAKES WITH PRALINE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING RECIPE - (3.5/5)

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. For the cupcakes: Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the dulce le leche and mix well. Combine milk, eggs, vanilla, and maple flavoring in a small bowl and mix until well blended. Alternately add the dry and wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Beat just until mixed. Be careful not to over mix. Spoon batter into paper-lined cupcake pans. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of a cake. Cool completely and frost with Praline Buttercream Frosting. Garnish with sugared pecans, if desired. For the frosting: Melt 1/4 cup butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and simmer, stirring constantly until well combined, about 2-3 minutes. Pour in milk and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. In a large mixing bowl, beat the remaining 1/4 cup of butter until creamy. Add the cooled butter/brown sugar mixture and mix until combined. Add powdered sugar and beat well.