Cupcakes with Caramel

Cupcakes are tiny cakes baked in muffin cups. They’re individual treats, perfect for parties or a sweet snack. What makes cupcakes even better? Delicious frosting! And today, we’re making Cupcakes with Caramel Icing: A Sweet Delight.

Cupcakes were first called “number cakes” because the ingredients were measured by number (like 1 cup of butter, 2 cups of sugar). Caramel, a smooth, brown treat, is made by heating sugar. Both are yummy on their own but amazing together!

These caramel cupcakes aren’t hard to make. You’ll have fun mixing, baking, and especially, eating them! Get ready for a sweet adventure in the kitchen. If you enjoy this recipe, you might also like our recipe for The Ultimate Cheesecake Brownies.

Why these Cupcakes with Caramel Icing are a Sweet Delight

These cupcakes are special because they combine a soft, moist cake with a creamy, rich caramel icing. It’s a perfect match!

Making them yourself makes them taste even better. Plus, sharing these sweet treats with friends and family makes everyone happy.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s gather everything we need for our delicious cupcakes and caramel icing. Having all your ingredients ready makes baking much smoother.

For the Cupcakes

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free all-purpose blend)
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup milk (whole or 2%)
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Caramel Icing

• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Baking the Perfect Cupcakes

Now that we have our ingredients, let’s start baking! Follow these steps to make delicious cupcakes. For a fun breakfast treat, try our Mini Cinnamon Rolls recipe.

Preparing the Cupcake Batter

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. This makes it easy to get the cupcakes out later.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make sure everything is mixed well.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract.
4. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Don’t overmix! Overmixing makes the cupcakes tough.
5. Fill the Liners: Fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds full. This gives the cupcakes room to rise without overflowing.

Baking and Cooling the Cupcakes

1. Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
2. Test for Doneness: If the toothpick has batter on it, bake for a few more minutes and check again. Every oven is different!
3. Cool Down: Let the cupcakes cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling them prevents the icing from melting later. Let them cool completely before frosting.

Making the Caramel Icing

The star of the show is this amazing caramel icing! Let’s make it from scratch.

Making the Caramel

1. Melt Butter and Sugar: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar and stir constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture starts to bubble. Keep stirring so it doesn’t burn!
2. Careful with the Cream: Slowly pour in the heavy cream while whisking constantly. The mixture will bubble up a lot, so be careful! It helps to use a larger saucepan to prevent spills.
3. Cook to Caramel: Continue to cook and stir for 1-2 minutes, or until the caramel thickens slightly. It should coat the back of a spoon. If your caramel becomes grainy or crystallizes, add a tablespoon of water and stir until smooth.
4. Cool Completely: Remove the caramel from the heat and let it cool completely before moving on to the next step. This is very important! Hot caramel will melt the powdered sugar.

Completing the Icing

1. Add Powdered Sugar: Once the caramel is completely cool, gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating with an electric mixer until smooth.
2. Vanilla and Consistency: Stir in the vanilla extract. If the icing is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk at a time until you reach your desired spreading consistency. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar. Now you have the perfect caramel icing! Looking for a different dessert? Check out our Crispy Fried Cornbread recipe.

Decorating Your Caramel Cupcakes

Let’s make these cupcakes look as good as they taste! Decorating is the fun part. You can find more decorating inspiration in our No-Bake Chocolate Raspberry Tart recipe.

Piping Techniques

Using a piping bag and different tips can make your cupcakes look professional.

• Star Tip: A star tip creates a classic swirl pattern. Try a large star tip for a big swirl or a small star tip for delicate rosettes. (Visual: Imagine a swirl of frosting like soft-serve ice cream.)
• Round Tip: A round tip makes smooth lines and dots. You can use it to create a simple but elegant look. (Visual: Think of a perfectly round dollop of frosting.)
• Grass Tip: This tip makes thin strands of frosting, perfect for creating a grassy or furry texture. (Visual: Picture a cupcake topped with frosting that looks like soft grass.)

Topping Ideas

Besides piping, toppings add flavor and texture! For a hearty breakfast option, consider our Ultimate Breakfast Casserole.

• Sweet and Salty: Sprinkle a little sea salt on top of the caramel frosting for a delicious sweet and salty combo.
• Crunchy Delight: Chopped pecans or walnuts add a satisfying crunch.
• Sprinkle Fun: Colorful sprinkles always add a festive touch.
• Drizzle It: Drizzle some extra caramel sauce or melted chocolate over the frosting. Check out this caramel sauce recipe from Sugar Spun Run for inspiration.
• Fruity Fun: Fresh berries, like raspberries or blueberries, add a bright flavor and color. For another delicious cupcake recipe, try these vanilla cupcakes from Sugar Spun Run.

FAQ

Enjoy Your Cupcakes with Caramel Icing!

Congratulations! You’ve baked delicious Cupcakes with Caramel Icing: A Sweet Delight. Remember, baking should be fun, so don’t worry if your cupcakes aren’t perfect. They’ll still taste amazing! Enjoy every bite of your homemade treat.

Now, share the love! Share this recipe with your friends and family. And don’t forget to show off your beautiful cupcake creations by posting pictures online! Happy baking!

 

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