Thick Caramel Icing

1 cup buttermilk*
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon soda
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 teaspoon vanilla

In large saucepan, combine buttermilk sugar and soda. Cook to softball stage (238 degrees F). Do not stir while mixture is boiling. Add butter and cool 5 minutes. Beat at high speed until thick. Add vanilla, use cream to thin mixture if it sets up too quickly.

* Powdered buttermilk does not have to be mixed separately. I just add the powder with my flour and the water with the my other liquids and let it mix in the batter.
Nancy Rogers

http://www.nancyskitchen.com