Recipe: Caramel Cupcakes

Here is an absolutely stunning recipe for caramel cupcakes. Now I didn't think I was a huge fan of caramel and until today I would have put home-made caramel in the category of things I'll buy at the store instead of make at home (like marshmallows, home-made chocolate chips, or my own ketchup). But this recipe certainly converted me!

Tip: Before you start making the cupcakes, pull the butter (for the frosting) out of the refrigerator and leave it on the counter to soften.

Step 1: Bake Cupcakes (makes 22-24 cupcakes)

Ingredients
     1 box white cake mix
     3 tablespoons vanilla instant pudding mix
     1 1/4 cups milk
     1/2 cup vegetable oil
     4 large eggs
     1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
 
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line cupcake cups with paper liners. Put the cake mix, pudding mix, milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are incorporated, 30 seconds. Stop the machine and scrape down the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes longer, scraping down the side of the bowl again if needed. Scoop batter into cupcake liners, filling two thirds of the way full. Bake 20-25 minutes. Cool on wire rack for at least 20 minutes.

Tip: While cupcakes are baking, make the caramel sauce

Step 2: Make Caramel Sauce 
Ingredients
     1 packed cup brown sugar
     1/4 cup skim milk
     1/4 cup heavy cream
     4 tablespoons butter
     Pinch salt
     1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions
Mix the brown sugar, heavy cream, milk, butter and salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook while whisking gently for 5 to 7 minutes, until it gets thicker. Add the vanilla and cook another minute to thicken further. Take the pan off of the heat, let cool for 5 minutes. Pour 1/2 cup sauce into a container (to be used for the frosting) and put remaining into a squeeze bottle for decorating. Put both in the refrigerator to cool.

Step 3: Make Caramel Buttercream Frosting and Decorate!
Ingredients
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
Pinch of salt
Reserved 1/2 cup caramel sauce

Directions
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, and salt until smooth. Add the caramel sauce then beat until light and fluffy. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes. Then drizzle additional caramel sauce on frosted cupcakes.