Description
Indulge in the decadent delight of Salted Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes. These moist chocolate cupcakes are filled with a luscious salted caramel center and topped with a creamy caramel frosting. Each bite is a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors that will satisfy any dessert craving.
Ingredients
Scale
For the cupcakes:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup hot water
For the filling:
- 1/2 cup thick salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
For the frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup salted caramel sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
For garnish:
- Extra caramel drizzle
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the buttermilk, oil, egg, and vanilla, and mix until smooth.
- Carefully stir in the hot water until fully combined—the batter will be thin.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, use a cupcake corer or a small knife to remove the center of each cupcake.
- Fill each with about 1 teaspoon of salted caramel sauce.
- To make the frosting, beat the softened butter until creamy.
- Add powdered sugar gradually, then beat in the caramel sauce and sea salt until smooth and fluffy.
- Pipe the frosting onto the filled cupcakes.
- Drizzle with extra caramel and sprinkle with a pinch of flaky sea salt before serving.
Notes
- Make the caramel a day ahead to save time.
- For an extra-rich version, top with chocolate shavings or a caramel-filled chocolate candy.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 36g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
