Easy Chocolate Caramel Cupcake
Ingredients:
For the Chocolate Cupcakes:
1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
½ cup (50g) unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup (120ml) buttermilk
½ cup (120ml) hot coffee (or hot water)
For the Caramel Filling:
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
6 tbsp (90g) unsalted butter, cubed
½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
½ tsp sea salt
For the Caramel Buttercream Frosting:
½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups (250g) powdered sugar
¼ cup (60ml) homemade caramel sauce (from above)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp heavy cream
For Garnish:
Extra caramel drizzle
Chocolate chips
Instructions:
Step 1: Make the Chocolate Cupcakes
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
Alternately mix in dry ingredients and buttermilk until just combined.
Stir in hot coffee (batter will be thin).
Divide batter evenly into cupcake liners.
Bake for 18-22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Let cupcakes cool completely.
Step 2: Make the Caramel Filling
Heat sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until melted and amber-colored.
Add butter and stir until melted.
Slowly pour in heavy cream, stirring continuously (be careful—it will bubble up!).
Remove from heat, stir in salt, and let cool.
Step 3: Fill the Cupcakes
Use a small knife or cupcake corer to remove the center of each cupcake.
Fill each hole with the homemade caramel sauce.
Step 4: Make the Caramel Buttercream Frosting
Beat butter until creamy.
Gradually add powdered sugar while mixing.
Add caramel sauce, vanilla extract, and heavy cream, then beat until fluffy.
Step 5: Decorate
Pipe the caramel buttercream onto filled cupcakes.
Drizzle with extra caramel sauce and top with a chocolate chip.