Salted Caramel Cupcakes

 🧁🍯 Salted Caramel Cupcakes 🍯✨

Soft, buttery cupcakes filled and topped with luscious salted caramel goodness!

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 18 minutes

Total time: 38 minutes

Yield: 12 cupcakes

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

½ cup milk

Filling & Topping:

1 cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of sea salt (for garnish)

Optional: crushed cookies or crumbs for topping

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tray with liners.

2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

3. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.

5. Gradually mix in dry ingredients alternating with milk until smooth.

6. Fill cupcake liners about ⅔ full and bake for 16–18 minutes. Let cool completely.

7. Cut a small hole in the center of each cupcake and fill with salted caramel sauce.

8. Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.

9. Pipe or spread whipped cream on top of each cupcake.

10. Drizzle generously with salted caramel sauce and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and crumbs if desired.

Pro Tip:

Warm the caramel slightly before drizzling for that perfect glossy drip effect just like bakery-style cupcakes!