Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes

Craving something decadent and irresistible? Let me introduce you to these Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes—a luscious fusion of rich caramel, tangy cream cheese, and a soft, moist cupcake base. It’s the kind of dessert that feels like a special treat, perfect for any occasion.

Imagine biting into a perfectly baked cupcake with a smooth, tangy cream cheese center, topped with a velvety salted caramel drizzle that just melts in your mouth. These cupcakes will make your taste buds dance with joy, and trust me, once you try them, you won’t be able to stop at just one!

This recipe is a real showstopper, whether you’re hosting a birthday party, a holiday celebration, or just treating yourself to something sweet on a regular day. These cupcakes are not only delicious but also surprisingly simple to make. I promise they’ll be a hit wherever you take them!

Why You’ll Love Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes

• Irresistible Flavor: The combination of sweet and salty caramel, smooth cream cheese, and soft cupcakes creates a flavor explosion that will leave everyone wanting more.
• Easy to Make: You don’t need to be a baking expert to create these beauties. The recipe is simple, straightforward, and foolproof.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a birthday, holiday party, or just because, these cupcakes are always a crowd-pleaser.
• Customizable: Want to make them extra indulgent? Add some chopped nuts or a drizzle of extra caramel on top! You can tweak them to suit your personal tastes.

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

• All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of your cupcake batter and gives it that soft, airy texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to the cupcakes, making them the perfect treat.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cupcakes rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: A pinch of salt brings out the sweetness in the batter and balances the flavor.
• Unsalted Butter: This provides richness and helps the cupcakes stay moist.
• Eggs: For binding the ingredients together and giving the cupcakes structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a touch of warmth and sweetness to the batter.
• Buttermilk: Creates a tender, moist crumb in the cupcakes and enhances the flavor.

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

• Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese gives a tangy, rich filling that perfectly complements the sweetness of the cupcakes.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese filling and gives it that perfect texture.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla enhances the flavor of the cream cheese filling.

For the Salted Caramel Topping:

• Granulated Sugar: The base of the caramel sauce. It’s melted down to form a rich, golden syrup.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds creaminess and helps the caramel sauce achieve that smooth, glossy texture.
• Heavy Cream: Creates the creamy texture of the caramel sauce and helps it thicken.
• Vanilla Extract: Just a touch to deepen the caramel flavor.
• Sea Salt: The secret ingredient that gives this topping its signature salty kick, balancing out the sweetness.

(Note: The full ingredient list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Instructions

Now, let’s get to baking these beauties!

Step 1: Prepare the Cupcake Batter

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a muffin tin with cupcake liners.

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This will take about 3-4 minutes. Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.

Step 2: Bake the Cupcakes

Spoon the cupcake batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full. Bake in the preheated oven for about 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Filling

While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the cream cheese filling. Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

Step 4: Core the Cupcakes

Once the cupcakes are completely cool, use a cupcake corer or a small knife to remove a small portion of the center of each cupcake. Be careful not to go all the way through to the bottom—just create a little well to hold the cream cheese filling.

Step 5: Fill the Cupcakes

Fill the hollowed-out centers of the cupcakes with the cream cheese filling. Use a piping bag or a small spoon to add the filling, then replace the “tops” of the cupcakes.

Step 6: Make the Salted Caramel Sauce

To make the salted caramel topping, place the sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the sugar melts and turns a golden amber color. Be careful not to burn it!

Once the sugar is melted, add the butter and stir until smooth. Slowly add the heavy cream, continuing to stir. Let the caramel simmer for about 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and sea salt.

Step 7: Drizzle the Caramel

Drizzle the salted caramel sauce generously over each filled cupcake. You can also add a pinch of sea salt on top for an extra burst of flavor!

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 320
Total Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 70mg
Sodium: 180mg
Total Carbohydrates: 39g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 28g
Protein: 2g

Preparation Time

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour (including cooling time)

How to Serve Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes

These cupcakes are best served fresh, but they also store well for a couple of days if you have leftovers (which, let’s be honest, is unlikely!). Here’s how you can make them even better:

• With a Cup of Coffee: These cupcakes are the perfect pairing with a cup of hot coffee or tea, especially during the colder months.
• For Special Occasions: Serve them at birthdays, baby showers, or just because you deserve a treat. They’re a guaranteed hit!
• On a Dessert Table: These cupcakes would make a beautiful addition to a dessert spread. They look as good as they taste!

Additional Tips

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, eggs, and cream cheese are all at room temperature for the best results.
• Chill the Caramel: If you want a thicker caramel drizzle, let it cool slightly before adding it to the cupcakes.
• Cupcake Storage: Store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you have leftovers, refrigerate them for up to 4 days.
• Decorating: Feel free to top the cupcakes with a little whipped cream, chopped nuts, or a few extra flakes of sea salt for added texture and flavor.

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I use a different filling besides cream cheese?
A1: Absolutely! You could use chocolate ganache, a peanut butter filling, or even a fruit jam for a unique twist.

Q2: Can I make these cupcakes in advance?
A2: Yes! You can bake the cupcakes ahead of time, and store them in an airtight container. Fill them with the cream cheese and drizzle with caramel just before serving.

Q3: How long do these cupcakes last?
A3: These cupcakes are best enjoyed within 2-3 days, but you can store them in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just make sure to bring them to room temperature before serving.

Q4: Can I freeze the cupcakes?
A4: Yes! You can freeze the cupcakes before filling and drizzling with caramel. Store them in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw them before filling and topping.

Q5: Can I make the salted caramel sauce ahead of time?
A5: Yes! You can make the caramel sauce a day or two ahead. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat it gently before using.

Q6: Can I substitute regular sugar with brown sugar?
A6: Yes! Using brown sugar will give the caramel sauce a deeper, more molasses-like flavor.

Q7: Can I use a different frosting instead of cream cheese?
A7: Of course! You could use buttercream frosting, whipped cream, or even a flavored mascarpone filling instead.

Q8: Can I add more salt to the caramel?
A8: Definitely! If you love that salty-sweet combo, feel free to add a bit more sea salt to taste.

Q9: Can I add a nut topping to these cupcakes?
A9: Yes! Chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds would add a lovely crunch and complement the caramel flavor.

Q10: Are these cupcakes suitable for gluten-free diets?
A10: You can easily make these cupcakes gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

Conclusion

These Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes are the perfect balance of sweet and salty, rich and tangy. They’re a treat that’s sure to impress your guests, and more importantly, they’re absolutely delicious! Whether you’re serving them at a party or just treating yourself, they’re bound to be a hit. So go ahead and indulge—these cupcakes are too good to resist!

Print