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These Caramel Filled Cupcakes are incredibly soft and packed with delicious caramel flavor! Featuring a moist chocolate cupcake, homemade salted caramel filling, and topped with salted caramel buttercream, they’re the perfect treat for any celebration. Whether it’s a birthday or a special event, these cupcakes are sure to impress with their sweet and rich flavors.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cupcake:

120g boiling water
160g all-purpose flour
200g sugar
50g unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
120g sour cream (room temperature)
75g vegetable oil
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Salted Caramel:

180g granulated sugar
200g heavy cream
50g butter
Pinch of salt

For the Caramel Buttercream:

150g butter (room temperature)
50g homemade caramel (plus extra for drizzling)
330g powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 tablespoons whole milk

Directions

Prepare the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 320°F (160°C) and line a 12-cup cupcake tray with liners. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. In another bowl, combine the wet ingredients and mix until smooth. Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry, ensuring no lumps remain. Pour the batter evenly into the cupcake liners and bake for 20-23 minutes. Let them cool completely.
Make the caramel: In a saucepan, slowly melt the granulated sugar over low/medium heat until golden brown. In another saucepan, heat the heavy cream until it starts to bubble. Carefully add the cream to the caramelized sugar. Stir continuously until combined, then add butter and a pinch of salt. Let it cool to room temperature in the fridge for about 30-60 minutes.
Prepare the buttercream: Cream the butter and 75g of the homemade caramel in a stand mixer for 2 minutes. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar in two portions, mixing after each. Add vanilla and milk, mixing until smooth. Beat the buttercream by hand to remove air bubbles, then transfer it to a piping bag with a star tip.
Assemble the cupcakes: Use a piping tip or knife to hollow out the center of each cupcake. Fill each cupcake with salted caramel, then pipe the caramel buttercream on top. Drizzle any leftover caramel and sprinkle cake crumbs for decoration.

Nutrients

(Approximate per cupcake)

Calories: 549
Carbohydrates: 72g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g
Monounsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 88mg
Sodium: 308mg
Potassium: 146mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 58g
Vitamin A: 767 IU
Calcium: 57mg

The Magic of Chocolate and Caramel

Chocolate and caramel are a dynamic duo in the world of desserts. While chocolate offers a deep, bittersweet flavor with a luxurious texture, caramel adds a rich, buttery sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the chocolate’s intensity. The marriage of these two elements in this cupcake recipe results in a balanced and indulgent treat that appeals to all who enjoy a little sweet sophistication in their sweets.

The moist chocolate cupcake base, infused with cocoa powder and instant espresso powder, provides a rich, flavorful foundation. The addition of sour cream ensures a tender crumb, while the slight bitterness from the cocoa is balanced out by the caramel’s sweetness. This interplay of flavors makes these cupcakes both comforting and complex, perfect for those who appreciate a well-crafted dessert.

A Homemade Salted Caramel Filling

The salted caramel filling is the heart of this recipe. Many caramel-filled desserts rely on store-bought caramel, but this recipe calls for homemade caramel sauce, which allows you to control the flavor and consistency. By melting sugar slowly and carefully incorporating heavy cream and butter, you create a luscious caramel sauce that is rich, smooth, and velvety.

The addition of a pinch of salt is what elevates this caramel. Salt cuts through the sweetness of the caramel, balancing it out and enhancing its depth of flavor. The result is a decadent filling that oozes from the center of the cupcakes when you take a bite, providing a sweet, salty surprise with every mouthful.

Homemade caramel is surprisingly easy to make, but it does require attention and patience. The sugar needs to be melted over low to medium heat, and the cream must be added slowly to prevent it from seizing up. However, once made, the caramel is incredibly versatile and can be used for other desserts, drizzled over ice cream, or incorporated into other baked goods.

The Caramel Buttercream: A Perfect Finish

The caramel buttercream adds the finishing touch to these cupcakes. With its creamy texture and sweet, buttery flavor, the buttercream complements the caramel center while providing a smooth and rich topping that is not too overpowering. Made with homemade caramel, butter, powdered sugar, and a hint of vanilla, the buttercream has the perfect balance of sweetness and depth.

The use of whole milk in the buttercream allows the frosting to be the right consistency for piping, ensuring that it holds its shape without being too stiff or too runny. Once piped onto the cooled cupcakes, the frosting is a fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth addition that completes the treat.

One of the most appealing aspects of the buttercream is its versatility. If you prefer a stronger caramel flavor, you can easily adjust the amount of homemade caramel used. You can also experiment with adding a little more vanilla extract or a pinch of sea salt to enhance the flavor further.

Creating a Showstopping Dessert

These Caramel Filled Cupcakes are not just delicious; they’re visually stunning as well. The process of hollowing out the center of each cupcake and filling it with salted caramel creates a unique and enticing presentation. When you take a bite, the luscious caramel filling oozes out, creating an indulgent experience that feels luxurious and comforting all at once.

To top it off, the caramel buttercream is piped onto each cupcake in a beautiful swirl, making each one look like a professional pastry chef made it. Drizzling extra caramel over the top and adding some leftover cake crumbs as decoration gives the cupcakes a sophisticated and polished appearance. These cupcakes are the perfect centerpiece for any special occasion or celebration, from birthdays to holidays to weddings.

Perfect for Every Occasion

These Caramel Filled Cupcakes are versatile enough to be enjoyed on many different occasions. Whether you’re preparing them for a birthday party, a family gathering, or a special event like a wedding or anniversary, they’re sure to make a statement. The combination of chocolate and caramel is universally loved, making it a safe yet luxurious choice for large gatherings where you need a crowd-pleasing dessert.

The cupcakes are also easy to transport, making them a great option for potlucks or bake sales. Their beautiful appearance ensures that they will stand out among other desserts, and the rich flavor guarantees that they won’t be left uneaten. Whether displayed on a dessert table or individually wrapped for guests to take home, these cupcakes make for a memorable treat.

A Balance of Sweet and Salty

What truly sets these cupcakes apart from others is the careful balance of sweet and salty. The salted caramel filling and buttercream create a perfect harmony that doesn’t overwhelm the palate with sweetness. The pinch of salt in the caramel filling helps to tone down the sugar, enhancing the overall flavor and making it more complex. This savory touch in an otherwise sweet dessert is what gives these cupcakes a refined, gourmet quality, making them a step above traditional cupcakes.

A Recipe for Success

For anyone looking to create an unforgettable dessert, these Caramel Filled Cupcakes are an ideal choice. The recipe may take a little time to prepare, but the end result is well worth the effort. With a rich, moist chocolate cupcake, homemade salted caramel filling, and decadent buttercream, these cupcakes are a treat that combines classic flavors in a unique and exciting way. Whether you’re a novice baker or a seasoned pro, these cupcakes are sure to impress and satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth.

Conclusion: A Sweet and Indulgent Treat

In conclusion, these Caramel Filled Cupcakes are a delicious, indulgent treat that brings together rich flavors and textures in a way that is sure to delight anyone who tastes them. The moist chocolate base pairs beautifully with the gooey caramel filling and the creamy buttercream frosting, creating a dessert that is both decadent and sophisticated. Whether you’re baking for a special event or simply want to indulge in a delicious homemade treat, these cupcakes are sure to impress. With their perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors, they’re a dessert that will satisfy even the most refined palates.

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