Description
These Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes offer a delightful balance of sweet and salty flavors. They feature a moist caramel-infused cupcake topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting and a stunning caramelized sugar crown.
Ingredients
Scale
- 130g (1 cup) All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure. Spoon and level for accurate measurement.
- 5g (1 tsp) Baking Powder: Leavening agent for a light texture.
- 2g (½ tsp) Baking Soda: Works with sour cream and caramel for extra lift.
- 1g (¼ tsp) Fine Sea Salt: Enhances flavors and balances sweetness.
- 115g (½ cup) Unsalted Butter, Softened: Adds richness and tenderness.
- 150g (¾ cup) Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and creates a tender crumb.
- 50g (¼ cup) Light Brown Sugar, Packed: Adds moisture and a subtle molasses flavor.
- 2 Large Eggs, at Room Temperature: Binds ingredients and adds richness.
- 5ml (1 tsp) Alcohol-Free Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor.
- 115g (½ cup) Cream Cheese, Softened: Adds tanginess and moisture to the batter.
- 60g (¼ cup) Sour Cream: Contributes to moistness and tenderness.
- 60ml (¼ cup) Whole Milk: Provides moisture and creates a smooth batter.
- 120ml (½ cup) Salted Caramel Sauce: The star of the show, ensure alcohol-free.
- 2g (½ tsp) Flaky Sea Salt, plus extra: Adds a salty crunch.
- 200g (¾ cup) Cream Cheese, Softened: Base of the frosting.
- 60g (½ cup) Unsalted Butter, Softened: Adds richness to the frosting.
- 150g (¾ cup) Powdered Sugar, Sifted: Sweetens and creates a light texture.
- 30ml (2 Tbsp) Salted Caramel Sauce: Infuses frosting with caramel flavor.
- 2g (½ tsp) Flaky Sea Salt: Enhances caramel flavor in frosting.
- 60ml (¼ cup) Salted Caramel Sauce: Creates the caramelized sugar crown.
- 1g (¼ tsp) Flaky Sea Salt: Adds saltiness to the crown.
Instructions
- Prepare & Preheat: Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a muffin tin with liners.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Butter & Sugars: Beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs & Vanilla: Incorporate eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract.
- Mix in Cream Cheese & Sour Cream: Beat in softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth.
- Alternate Wet & Dry: Gradually add dry ingredients and milk, beginning and ending with dry.
- Fold in Caramel: Gently fold in ½ cup salted caramel sauce.
- Fill Liners: Spoon batter into liners, filling about ¾ full.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool Completely: Cool in tin for 10 minutes, then on a wire rack.
- Make Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter, then add powdered sugar, caramel sauce, and salt.
- Frost Cupcakes: Frost cooled cupcakes.
- Create Caramel Crown: Brush with caramel sauce and sprinkle with salt.
- Broil Briefly: Broil for 30-45 seconds, watching closely.
- Rest & Finish: Let rest for 2 minutes and sprinkle with salt.
Notes
For best results, use room temperature ingredients and avoid overmixing the batter. Watch the caramel crown closely during broiling to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: cupcakes,salted caramel,cream cheese frosting,caramelized sugar,dessert,baking,sweet,salty