Salted Caramel Cupcakes…. oh this salty sweet combo is OUTSTANDING!
You can easily pull these cupcakes together in a timely manner…
Under an hour, to a whole tray of these beauties!
I have a love for salt.
You heard right.
If it’s salty, I love it.
Salted chips, salted peanuts, I even prefer salted butter.
Which brings me to salted caramel, not sure who staretd this great craze, but I absolutely love salted caramel.
I even salt and pepper cantaloupe. Is there any foods that you salt that other look at you like you are crazy? Let me know, I’m sure I’d like to try it.
Vanilla Bean Cupcakes
I added some baking tips so your cupcakes can turn out BEAUTIFUL! They’re in the instructions, be sure to read them.
pipe the caramel frosting onto the cupcakes
then drizzle caramel sauce on top.
They are ready to serve, but don’t forget to sprinkle coarse salt over the tops.
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup melted, cooled butter
- 1/4 cup oil
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup shortening
- 4-5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons cream
- 4 tablespoons caramel sauce (Ghirardelli)
- 6 drops Caramel flavoring oil (LorAnns)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- additional caramel sauce
- coarse salt
- Beat sugar with eggs until completely combined.
- Add flour, milk, butter, oil, baking powder, and vanilla.
- Mix until creamy.
- Bake at 325 for dark pans (350 for regular) for 18-20 minutes. In the past couple of years I've been baking in thicker shiny cupcake pans and have baked these at 375° for 18-1=20 minutes and they come out perfectly.
- So knowing your oven is key, be sure your oven is reaching the proper temperature by using an additional thermometer, and preheat your oven until it reaches the temperature. Don't just open the oven the second it beeps that the temperature has been reached, the oven will cool down and it'll result in flatter cupcake tops, as well as under-baked cupcakes, that you'll have to bake longer and risk drying them out. Test cupcakes every minute, starting 1 minute before you think they'll be done.
- Let cupcakes completely cool
- Caramel Frosting
- Cream together butter, shortening, and sugar.
- Add cream, caramel sauce, caramel oil, and salt and mix until smooth and creamy.
- Place frosting in a piping bag with a #2 tip and pipe frosting on cupcakes.
- Drizzle caramel sauce over frosting and sprinkle on coarse salt.
If you like this or any other recipe at 
Shawn @ I Wash...You Dry says
These look divine Diane! I totally love salt as well, but I have still yet to try this salted caramel craze that everyone is doing… I am always late to the party.
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
Diane, these look rockin’! I’m with you; I totally love salt as well and salted caramel is one of my top faves!
Carsedra says
These look like they taste like heaven!! YUM!!!
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction says
Salted caramel is one of my favorites! Vanilla bean and salted caramel is a great cupcake combination!
leslie says
i too love me some salt! i put iy in watermelon! love your cupcakes!
Monet says
Salt does wonders! And there is nothing worse than pulling out a loaf of bread or cake out of the oven to discover you forgot the salt! These cupcakes look too delicious! I love salted caramel so I know that these would be on the top of my list! Thank you for sharing!
Jen @ Savory Simple says
Good lord these look good!!!! I love a salty bite to my desserts.
Sweetsugarbelle says
These are perfectly gorgeous cupcakes, Diane! And they sound delicious!
Paula says
And I have a love for all your baked goods. These cupcakes are no exception. Do they ever look good!
Mommyof2Girlz/StephD says
Think I just drooled a little on my keyboard…lol Yumm!
Amanda says
Oh my gosh Diane, these are perfect!! Fluffy, caramely, salty, and perfect!! 🙂
shelly (cookies and cups) says
Oh I need to try this frosting!
Nisrine says
Lovely cupcakes! Yes, please!
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
I hate you… and by hate you I mean I love you, but you’re evil. Just drizzle that salted caramel directly into my mouth.
Diane says
lol, Brian you crack me up!
Anika says
These look absolutely divine! I, too, love salt — so did my grandfather. He used to put salt on his watermelon.
Sommer@ASP says
Heavenly. I’m a salted caramel fanatic. Can’t wait to try these!
Lisa | With Style and Grace says
salted caramel FROSTING, yes please!!!
nest of posies says
one of my very faves! looks amazing!
xo
kellie
Popadom says
Oh i tried making these…i dont know if they came out right….the cupcacek were lovely, but the icing was so buttery it was almost inedible ):
Diane says
I’m sorry you had trouble with the frosting, if you prefer it sweeter add more powdered sugar. I’m looking back to check my notes on this recipe now.