Print
clockclock iconcutlerycutlery iconflagflag iconfolderfolder iconinstagraminstagram iconpinterestpinterest iconfacebookfacebook iconprintprint iconsquaressquares iconheartheart iconheart solidheart solid icon
salted caramel cupcakes

Salted Caramel Cupcakes: The Ultimate Guide to Perfect Sweet and Salty Treats (9 Pro Secrets)

Decadent salted caramel cupcakes featuring moist vanilla cake, silky caramel buttercream frosting, and homemade salted caramel sauce. These bakery-quality treats combine sweet and salty flavors in perfect harmony, crowned with flaky sea salt for the ultimate gourmet cupcake experience.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 standard cupcakes

Ingredients

Cupcakes: all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, sour cream, milk Caramel Sauce: sugar, butter, heavy cream, sea salt, vanilla Frosting: butter, powdered sugar, salted caramel sauce, heavy cream, vanilla, salt Garnish: reserved caramel sauce, flaky sea salt

Instructions

  • Make salted caramel sauce: melt sugar, add butter, then cream and salt; cool
  • Preheat oven to 350°F; line muffin tin with liners
  • Whisk dry ingredients; cream butter and sugar; add eggs and vanilla
  • Alternate adding dry ingredients with sour cream and milk; mix until just combined
  • Fill liners 2/3 full; bake 18-22 minutes until toothpick comes clean
  • Cool completely on wire rack
  • Make frosting: beat butter until fluffy, add powdered sugar, caramel sauce, and cream
  • Optional: core cupcakes and fill with caramel sauce
  • Pipe frosting onto cupcakes; drizzle with caramel; sprinkle with flaky sea salt

Notes

  • All ingredients should be room temperature for best results
  • Don’t stir sugar while making caramel; swirl pan instead
  • Cook caramel to deep amber for richest flavor
  • Sift powdered sugar to avoid lumpy frosting
  • Cupcakes must be completely cool before frosting
  • Adjust frosting consistency with heavy cream as needed
  • Store caramel sauce in refrigerator up to 2 weeks
  • Unfrosted cupcakes freeze up to 3 months
  • Author: Emy Hayer
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan