Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes

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Absolutely! Here’s a big, beautiful, and indulgent recipe for Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes – complete with introduction, ingredients, method, history, flavor profile, and a sweet ending for the lovers of baking and dessert!

🧁 Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes

A heavenly fusion of buttery vanilla cupcakes, rich cream cheese filling, and a decadent salted caramel drizzle – made for dessert lovers everywhere.

📖 Introduction

Imagine biting into a soft, fluffy vanilla cupcake, only to discover a creamy, tangy center of smooth cream cheese, all topped with a swirl of whipped frosting and a rich, golden salted caramel drizzle. This is more than just a cupcake — it’s a love story in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a celebration, a cozy night in, or just because you love the magic of sweets, these cupcakes bring indulgence and comfort together in one unforgettable treat.

🧂 Ingredients

🧁 For the Vanilla Cupcakes:

  • 1½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (1 stick or 113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (120ml) whole milk

🍥 For the Cream Cheese Filling:

  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • ⅓ cup (65g) granulated sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

🍯 For the Salted Caramel Sauce:

  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 6 tbsp (90g) unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
  • 1 tsp sea salt (adjust to taste)

🌬️ For the Frosting (Optional but Heavenly):

  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream
  • ¼ cup (30g) powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

🥣 Instructions

1. Make the Cupcake Batter:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tin with 12 liners.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In another large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in vanilla.
  5. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.

2. Make the Cream Cheese Filling:

  1. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
  2. Add sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla. Beat until creamy and well combined.

3. Assemble the Cupcakes:

  1. Fill each cupcake liner halfway with vanilla batter.
  2. Spoon 1 tsp of cream cheese filling into the center of each.
  3. Top with a little more cupcake batter, just enough to cover the cream cheese (don’t overfill).

4. Bake:

  1. Bake for 20–22 minutes, or until tops are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean (try to avoid the cream cheese center when testing).
  2. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

5. Make the Salted Caramel Sauce:

  1. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly. It will clump, then melt into an amber liquid.
  2. Carefully add butter (it will bubble!). Stir until melted.
  3. Slowly add cream (again, bubbling is normal), stir until smooth.
  4. Remove from heat, stir in sea salt. Let cool before drizzling.

6. Whip the Frosting (Optional):

  1. Whip cold heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
  2. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes.

7. Final Touch – The Drizzle:

Drizzle cooled salted caramel over each frosted cupcake. Sprinkle with a pinch of flaky sea salt for that perfect sweet-salty contrast.

📜 History Behind the Flavors

The origins of cream cheese frosting trace back to early 20th-century America, popularized alongside red velvet cake. Salted caramel, however, was born in Brittany, France, where butter and salt are culinary treasures. The marriage of sweet and salty in desserts has since become a worldwide obsession.

This cupcake blends American nostalgia with French elegance, giving you a globally loved treat that feels both classic and gourmet.

💞 For the Lovers (of Dessert)

These cupcakes are made for sharing. Whether you’re impressing someone special or just treating yourself (as you should!), every element – from the silky cream cheese to the luxurious caramel – is crafted to say, “You deserve this.”

🧁 Formation – Bringing It All Together

This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a symphony of textures:

  • Fluffy vanilla cake
  • Creamy, tangy center
  • Light whipped topping
  • Velvety salted caramel finish

The contrast of salty and sweet, light and rich, makes these cupcakes a complete dessert experience.

🎀 Conclusion

Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes are the perfect intersection of comfort and class. Whether you’re a baker at heart or just getting started, these cupcakes are a chance to fall in love – with the process, the flavors, and yourself.

Would you like this in a printable format, or want to make a chocolate version next? Just say “Yes”, and I’ll make it happen. 🍫🧁

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