Description
Soft, moist cupcakes filled with rich caramel and topped with creamy salted caramel frosting—each bite is the perfect blend of sweet and salty! These indulgent treats are perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120ml) whole milk
For the caramel filling:
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp (45g) unsalted butter
- ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
- ½ tsp sea salt
For the frosting:
- 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (250g) powdered sugar
- ½ cup (120ml) homemade or store-bought caramel sauce
- ¼ tsp sea salt
Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla. Alternately add dry ingredients and milk, mixing until smooth. Fill cupcake liners ¾ full and bake for 18-20 minutes. Let cool completely.
2️⃣ Make the caramel filling: In a saucepan, melt sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly until golden. Add butter and mix until melted. Slowly pour in cream, stirring continuously. Remove from heat, stir in sea salt, and let cool slightly.
3️⃣ Prepare the frosting: Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Pour in caramel sauce and sea salt, then beat until fluffy.
4️⃣ Assemble the cupcakes: Cut a small hole in each cupcake and fill with caramel. Pipe frosting on top, drizzle with caramel sauce, and sprinkle a pinch of sea salt for garnish.
Notes
1️⃣ Don’t Overmix the Batter – Overmixing can make the cupcakes dense instead of light and fluffy. Mix just until the ingredients are combined for a soft texture.
2️⃣ Let the Caramel Cool Before Filling – If the caramel is too hot, it can soak into the cupcake instead of staying in the center. Let it cool slightly to maintain a rich, gooey filling.
3️⃣ Use Room Temperature Butter for Frosting – Softened butter ensures a smooth, creamy frosting. If it’s too cold, it won’t mix well; if too soft, the frosting may become runny.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 20 min