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Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes Recipe

Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 12 reviews

Indulge in these Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes, where moist vanilla cupcakes meet a luscious cream cheese and caramel filling, topped with creamy frosting and a delightful salty-sweet finish of pretzels and sea salt flakes. Perfect for dessert lovers craving a sophisticated, flavorful treat with a balance of sweet and salty notes.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cupcakes:

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup milk

For the Filling:

  • ½ cup cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup caramel sauce

For the Topping:

  • 1 cup cream cheese frosting
  • Pretzel twists (optional)
  • Additional caramel sauce for drizzling
  • Sea salt flakes for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners to ensure easy removal and even baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside to keep the leavening agents ready for incorporation.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which creates a tender crumb for your cupcakes.
  4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to maintain an even texture. Stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the cupcake’s flavor profile.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in batches, alternating with the milk. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overworking the batter and resulting in dense cupcakes.
  6. Bake the Cupcakes: Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about three-quarters full to allow room for rising. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Then, cool completely on a wire rack before filling.
  7. Prepare Filling: Using a knife, carefully carve out a small hole in the center of each cooled cupcake. Spoon softened cream cheese into the cavity followed by a layer of caramel sauce to create a surprise filling.
  8. Frost and Garnish: Generously frost each cupcake with cream cheese frosting. Drizzle additional caramel sauce on top for extra indulgence, add a pretzel twist for a crunchy contrast if desired, and sprinkle with sea salt flakes to enhance the salted caramel flavors.

Notes

  • Use a piping bag or small spoon to fill cupcakes for cleaner, easier filling.
  • Add a few drops of caramel extract to the cream cheese frosting to intensify the caramel flavor.
  • Ensure cupcakes are completely cooled before filling and frosting to prevent melting.
  • Optional pretzels add a pleasant crunch and complement the salty-sweet contrast.

Nutrition

Keywords: salted caramel, cream cheese cupcakes, caramel cupcakes, cream cheese filling, cupcakes with caramel, salted caramel frosting, pretzel cupcakes, sweet and salty dessert, easy cupcake recipe

Find it online: https://maicook.com/salted-caramel-cream-cheese-cupcakes-recipe/