Scrumptious Penuche Frosting

This caramel-flavored frosting is perfect for any yummy cake.
It is perfect on basic yellow cake as well as homemade pound cake.
Some love it on chocolate cake and cupcakes as well.
This recipe is outstanding! I followed the recipe exactly.
It's delicious, creamy and caramelly. Perfect as written.
I used it on an apple spice cake. Everyone loved it.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup half-and-half cream
1 pinch salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions:
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
Stir in brown sugar and bring the mixture to a boil.
Reduce the heat and continue to simmer
for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Stir in half-and-half cream and salt
and return to a boil, continuing to stir.
Remove the caramel from the heat
and allow to cool to lukewarm, then add vanilla.
Gradually beat in confectioners'
sugar with an electric mixer until smooth,
being careful not to over beat.
If the frosting becomes too thick,
hot water can be added to thin it out.
Spread over a cooled cake and sprinkle with pecans.
Allow the frosting to set before serving, about 15 minutes.