Chocolate Salted Caramel Cupcakes 🧁🍫✨
(Makes about 12 cupcakes)
Ingredients:
For the Chocolate Cupcakes:
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
¾ cup granulated sugar
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 large egg
½ cup whole milk (or buttermilk)
⅓ cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup hot water or hot coffee
For the Salted Caramel Filling:
½ cup soft caramel candies (or homemade caramel sauce)
2 tbsp heavy cream
½ tsp sea salt
For the Salted Caramel Buttercream:
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup caramel sauce
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
¼ tsp sea salt
2 tbsp heavy cream (adjust as needed for consistency)
For Garnish:
Extra caramel drizzle
Flaky sea salt
Chocolate shavings (optional)
Instructions:
Step 1: Make the Chocolate Cupcakes
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add egg, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
Gradually stir in hot water or coffee (batter will be thin).
Divide batter evenly into cupcake liners, filling about ¾ full.
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
Step 2: Prepare the Salted Caramel Filling
Melt caramel candies with heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
Stir in sea salt and let cool slightly.
Step 3: Fill the Cupcakes
Cut a small hole in the center of each cooled cupcake.
Fill each hole with a spoonful of salted caramel sauce.
Place the cut-out cupcake piece back on top to seal.
Step 4: Make the Salted Caramel Buttercream
Beat butter until creamy.
Add caramel sauce and mix until combined.
Gradually add powdered sugar and sea salt, mixing well.
Add heavy cream as needed until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Step 5: Assemble & Decorate
Pipe or spread frosting onto cupcakes.
Drizzle with extra caramel sauce.
Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and add chocolate shavings if desired.
Enjoy your Chocolate Salted Caramel Cupcakes! 🧁🍫✨