Happy 30th Birthday Tara!

Wishing Tara a very very Happy 30th!
She had a special request for her birthday cake... brown sugar cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream.  I frosted the cake in Salted Caramel Buttercream & then made all the decorations out of fondant.  I planned on having the 3-0 standing up but my fondant-gumpaste didn't dry enough & it broke when I stuck it in the cake so I remade them and made them lay flat.

Salted Caramel Buttercream
Ingredients
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 tbsp water
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups unsalted butter (4 sticks), at room temperature
1 1/2 tsp salt
8 cups powdered sugar, sifted

 DIRECTIONS
1. Briefly stir together granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Continue cooking, without stirring, until mixture turns dark amber in color, about 6 to 7 minutes.

2. Remove from heat and slowly add in cream and vanilla, stirring with a wooden spoon until completely smooth. Set aside until cool to the touch, about 25 minutes.

3. Combine butter and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium-high speed until light in color and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low, add powdered sugar, and mix until completely incorporated.

4. Turn mixer off and scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add caramel. Beat frosting on medium-high speed until airy and thoroughly mixed, about 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until stiff, about 45 minutes, before using.