Decadent Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes: A Sweet Tooth's Dream
45
min
324
Calories
13g
Fats
49g
Carbs
4g
Protein
Indulge in these irresistible Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes that blend the rich flavors of cocoa with the smooth sweetness of caramel. Perfect for satisfying your dessert cravings!
Ingredients:
Step 1: Preparing Your Cupcake Pan
Begin by getting your oven nice and cozy at 350 degrees. While that's heating up, either grease your cupcake pans or line them with paper liners. This little step helps ensure your cupcakes come gently out of the pan, without leaving half of them stuck to the bottom!
Pro Tip: Use a cooking spray or butter for greasing to ensure the cupcakes come out easily.
Step 2: Mixing Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: the all-purpose flour, divine cocoa powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. This concoction is the foundation of your cupcakes, ensuring they have the perfect texture and chocolatey flavor. Set it aside as you'll need it in a few steps.
Pro Tip: Sifting your flour and cocoa powder ensures no lumps and makes for a smoother batter.
Step 3: Creaming Butter and Sugar
Grab a large bowl and your electric hand mixer. Beat the softened butter until creamy, about 2 minutes should do it. Gradually add the sugar, keeping the mixer going until the mixture is light and fluffy. This could take about 3 minutes. Remember to scrape down the bowl! Now, add vanilla extract and eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Pro Tip: Creaming the butter and sugar well makes for a fluffy cupcake texture.
Step 4: Adding the Flour Mixture and Milk
Now it's time to bring the dry mixture into the game. Add the flour mixture to your creamy batter in four additions, alternating with the milk. Make sure you start and end with the flour mixture. Mix each addition just until combined. The goal here is to have a batter that's smooth but not overmixed.
Pro Tip: Starting and ending with the dry ingredients prevents the batter from curdling.
Step 5: Filling the Cupcake Wells
With a scoop or a spoon, fill each cupcake well about three-quarters full. This is your sweet spot—you'll have enough batter for a nice dome on your cupcake, without risking an overflow in the oven.
Pro Tip: Avoid overfilling to prevent cupcakes from spilling over as they bake.
Step 6: Baking and Cooling
Pop the pan into your preheated oven and bake for about 22 minutes. How do you know they're done? Stick a toothpick in the center of a cupcake. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs, they're perfect. Let them sit on a wire rack for ten minutes, then move them to a rack to cool completely before frosting.
Pro Tip: Cooling completely before frosting is key to prevent the frosting from melting.
Step 7: Preparing the Frosting
For the frosting, in a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, then stir in the brown sugar. Bring to a boil while stirring, then reduce heat and simmer for two minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup of milk and bring back to a boil. Remove from heat and let it cool until lukewarm. In a mixing bowl, gradually mix in powdered sugar and milk into the cooled caramel, beating with a hand mixer until light and fluffy. If the consistency isn't quite right, adjust with a little more milk or powdered sugar.
Pro Tip: The frosting can be adjusted to preference, more milk for creamier or more powdered sugar for thicker.
Step 8: Frosting the Cupcakes
Once your cupcakes are cool and your frosting is the right consistency, it's time to decorate! Use a piping bag with a fancy tip to give your cupcakes a professional look, or simply spread the frosting with a knife for a charming, homemade style. For a finishing touch, sprinkle a little sea salt on top or mix it into the frosting. This will add a delightful contrast to the sweetness of the caramel and chocolate.
Pro Tip: Chilling the frosted cupcakes for a few minutes helps the frosting set.
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