Heavenly Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes Recipe

These decadent salted caramel cream cheese cupcakes bring pure bliss to every bite.

Sweet meets salty in a delightful dance of flavors that melts perfectly on your tongue.

Creamy cheese and rich caramel create an irresistible combination that elevates dessert to an art form.

Each cupcake promises a luxurious experience with its smooth, velvety texture and deep caramel undertones.

The delicate balance of salt and sweetness ensures every mouthful feels like a gourmet treat.

Topped with a luscious caramel drizzle, these cupcakes are sure to become your new favorite indulgence.

You’ll want to savor every single crumb of this unforgettable dessert.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 330 kcal

Servings: 13

Salted Caramel Cupcake Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cupcake, providing structure and soft texture with its fine, powdery consistency.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help the cupcakes rise and create a light, airy crumb.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cupcakes.

• Butter: Adds richness, moisture, and contributes to the tender crumb of the cupcakes.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a golden, caramelized exterior.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add structure to the cupcake.
• Vanilla Extract: Delivers a warm, complex flavor that complements the caramel notes.
• Sour Cream: Introduces moisture and creates a tangy, tender texture.
• Caramel Sauce: Infuses deep, rich sweetness and signature caramel flavor.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a luxurious, tangy filling with a smooth, creamy consistency.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese mixture.
• Egg: Helps bind and stabilize the filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and aromatic sweetness to the filling.

• Caramel Sauce: Provides a glossy, decadent drizzle that enhances visual appeal.
• Sea Salt Flakes: Adds a crunchy texture and balances the sweetness with a savory note.

Baking Tools to Help with Cream Cheese Cupcakes

• Mixing Bowls: Medium and large bowls for preparing batter and cream cheese filling.
• Electric Mixer: Essential for beating butter, sugar, and cream cheese to smooth consistency.
• Muffin Tin: 12-cup tin for baking cupcakes evenly.
• Cupcake Liners: Paper liners to prevent sticking and easy removal.
• Whisk: For combining dry ingredients and mixing.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for ingredients.
• Toothpick: To test cupcake doneness.
• Wire Cooling Rack: For cooling cupcakes after baking.
• Spatula: For scraping and folding ingredients.

Instructions for Making Gooey Salted Caramel Cupcakes

• Warm Up Your Cooking Space

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F and line your muffin tray with cute paper liners.

• Createal Cake Mixture

Blend butter and sugar until they’re fluffy clouds, then gently fold in eggs, vanilla, and sour cream. Pour in caramel and mix until everything looks smooth and dreamy.

• Whip Up Creamy Surprise

In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until silky and irresistible.

• Build Your Cupcake Layers

Drop a spoonful of cake batter into each liner, then add a dollop of cream cheese. Cover with another layer of batter, filling each cup about three-quarters full.

• Bake to Perfection

Pop the tray into the oven for 18-20 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

• Dress Up Your Treats

Once cooled, drizzle caramel sauce over each cupcake and sprinkle sea salt on top for that wow factor.

• Enjoy Your Delicious Creation

Serve immediately or store in the fridge for a couple of days of sweet bliss.

Flavor Variations to Try with the Filling or Topping

• Refrigerate cupcakes in an airtight container, keeping them fresh for up to 3 days. Cover loosely with plastic wrap to prevent the caramel from sticking.
• Prepare the batter and cream cheese filling separately one day ahead. Store them covered in the refrigerator, then assemble and bake when ready to serve for maximum freshness.
• Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Add xanthan gum if the blend doesn't already include it to maintain the cupcakes' soft texture.
• Replace butter with dairy-free margarine, use coconut cream cheese alternative, and select a plant-based caramel sauce. Choose a neutral-flavored oil if substituting butter to preserve the cupcake's delicate taste.
• For high-altitude locations, reduce sugar by 1 tablespoon, add 2 tablespoons extra flour, and decrease baking temperature by 25 degrees to prevent dense, flat cupcakes.

Ways to Plate and Serve These Rich Cupcakes

• Party Platter Perfection: Arrange cupcakes on a rustic wooden board with caramel drizzle cascading over each treat, creating an Instagram-worthy dessert display that'll wow your guests.
• Sweet Brunch Companion: Pair these decadent cupcakes with a hot cappuccino or cold brew coffee, transforming your morning into a luxurious indulgence that feels like a special occasion.
• Dessert Bar Delight: Create a stunning dessert station by grouping cupcakes with different salt sprinkle intensities, allowing guests to explore varying flavor profiles and find their perfect sweet-salty balance.
• Gifting Gourmet Style: Package individual cupcakes in clear gift boxes tied with elegant ribbons, making them a sophisticated homemade present for birthdays, dinner parties, or spontaneous celebrations.

Store Cupcakes Without Losing Moisture or Shape

• Let cupcakes rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes after removing from the oven to prevent structural breakdown and maintain optimal texture.
• Store cupcakes in a sealed container with a tight-fitting lid, placing a paper towel between layers to absorb moisture and prevent sticking.
• Wrap individual cupcakes tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 4 weeks for future enjoyment. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Prepare cream cheese filling and caramel sauce 2-3 days in advance, storing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator to streamline baking process and reduce day-of preparation time.

FAQs

• Can I make these cupcakes without caramel sauce?

While caramel sauce is key to the flavor, you can substitute with butterscotch sauce or a homemade caramel using sugar and cream.

• Is the cream cheese filling necessary?

The cream cheese filling adds richness and a creamy texture, but you can skip it if you prefer a simpler cupcake. The recipe will still be delicious.

• How do I prevent the cream cheese from sinking?

Ensure the cream cheese filling is cold and firm before adding it to the batter. Also, be gentle when spooning the batter over the filling to keep it centered.

• Can I use low-fat ingredients in this recipe?

Full-fat ingredients work best for the richest flavor and texture. Low-fat alternatives might change the cupcake’s moisture and taste, so stick to the original recipe for best results.

Indulgent Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Gooey salted caramel cream cheese cupcakes blend rich cream cheese with silky caramel for an indulgent dessert. Bakers can elevate their skills with this luxurious sweet treat that delights senses and satisfies sweet cravings.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ½ cups (190 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) sour cream, room temperature
• 8 oz (225 grams) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) caramel sauce
• ½ tsp sea salt flakes (for sprinkling on top)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and arrange cupcake liners in a 12-cup muffin tin, ensuring precise spacing for consistent baking.
2. Dry Blend: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until uniformly combined, creating a balanced dry mixture.
3. Butter Fusion: Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture transforms into a light, airy consistency, establishing a smooth cupcake foundation.
4. Liquid Integration: Blend eggs individually into the butter mixture, then incorporate vanilla extract and sour cream, developing a silky batter with seamless texture.
5. Caramel Infusion: Gently fold caramel sauce into the batter, creating delicate golden swirls throughout the mixture.
6. Batter Completion: Delicately combine dry ingredients with wet ingredients, stirring minimally to preserve the batter’s delicate structure.
7. Cream Cheese Preparation: Whip cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until achieving a luxuriously smooth filling with no visible lumps.
8. Cupcake Assembly: Strategically layer batter in liners – place a tablespoon of batter, add a cream cheese dollop, then cover with another batter spoonful, filling each liner to three-quarters capacity.
9. Baking Process: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that emerges clean when inserted near the center (avoiding cream cheese filling).
10. Cooling and Finishing: Rest cupcakes in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Once cooled, embellish with a caramel sauce drizzle and a delicate sea salt flake sprinkle.
11. Storage: Serve immediately or preserve in an airtight container, maintaining delectable quality for up to 3 days.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients to maintain a light, tender cupcake texture. Overmixing can lead to dense, tough cupcakes.
• Check Cream Cheese Placement: When inserting the toothpick to test doneness, carefully avoid the cream cheese center to get an accurate baking assessment.
• Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter and eggs for smoother batter integration and more consistent mixing results.
• Customize Salt Levels: Adjust sea salt flakes based on personal preference, starting with a light sprinkle and increasing gradually to find the perfect sweet-salty balance.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 330
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg