Caramel Cupcake Recipe

Here are the ingredients that you need to find for this recipe:

Caramel Filling & Drizzle

• 1 cup granulated sugar (200 grams)
• 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature (85 grams)
• 1/4 cup heavy cream, room temperature (60 grams)
• 1/4 tsp table salt (2 grams)

Vanilla Cupcakes

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar (150 grams)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113 grams)
• 2 large eggs, room temp (112 grams)
• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (162 grams)
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder (6 grams)
• 1/2 tsp salt (3 grams)
• 1/2 cup sour cream (120 grams)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (4 grams)

Caramel Buttercream Frosting

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113 grams)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (4 grams)
• 1/4 tsp salt (1 gram)
• 1/4 cup caramel – recipe shared above (80 grams)
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (185 grams)
• 1 Tbsp heavy cream or heavy whipping cream (15 grams)

Optional Toppings

• Caramel squares
• sea salt

Here are the instructions that you need to follow to complete this recipe:

Caramel Filling & Drizzle

1. Turn stove to medium heat and place a pot over element.
2. Pour in 1 cup sugar gradually, adding 1/4 cup at a time. Wait until the sugar is mostly liquified, then add in the next bit of sugar.
3. As the sugar melts it will gradually deepen in color.
4. Stir occasionally until the sugar is fully dissolved and is an amber color.
5. Turn off the heat.
6. Slowly mix in 6 Tbsp of butter slowly (2 Tbsp at a time) then stir in 1/4 cup of heavy cream and 1/4 tsp salt.
7. The mixture will be very thin but will thicken as it cools.
8. Pour into a separate container, then place in fridge to cool for 20 minutes.

Caramel Cupcakes

1. Begin by preheating oven to 350°F (175°C) and place cupcake liners in baking pans.
2. Cream together 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup unsalted butter on a high speed with a whisk attachment until the mixture becomes lighter in color.
3. Mix in 2 large eggs on a medium speed, one at a time.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt.
5. Pour in 1/2 of the dry ingredients into the butter/egg mixture and mix on a low speed until just combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
6. Mix in 1/2 cup sour cream and 1 tsp vanilla extract on a low speed.
7. Add the remaining dry ingredient and mix until the flour is just incorporated.
8. Fill the cupcake liners about 2/3 way full. Bake for 18-19 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Allow the cupcakes to cool for 10 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack to finish cooling.

10. Caramel Buttercream Frosting

    1. Beat 1/2 cup of room-temperature butter on a medium speed for 30 seconds with a paddle attachment until smooth.
    2. Mix in 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 cup of cooled caramel sauce on a low speed.
    3. Slowly add in 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time. Half way through add 1 Tbsp of heavy cream to make the frosting easier to mix.
    4. Mix on low for a couple minutes until the ingredients are fully incorporated and the desired consistency is reached.

    Decorating These Caramel Cupcakes

    1. Use a small knife or 1 inch circle cutter to remove the center from each cooled cupcake.
    2. Fill each cupcake with a generous spoonful of cooled caramel.
    3. Pipe a mound of caramel frosting on top of each cupcake using a large round piping tip. Chill the cupcakes in the fridge for 10 minutes or the freezer for 5 minutes to help the frosting firm up.
    4. While the cupcakes chill warm up the remaining caramel in 10 second intervals until it is thinner and fluid enough to be drizzled.
    5. Remove the cupcakes from the fridge or freezer and drizzle them with the warm caramel.