Salty Caramel Cupcake from Sprinkles Cupcakes features a moist vanilla base topped with smooth salted caramel frosting and a drizzle of rich caramel sauce, delivering a harmonious blend of sweet and savory flavors wrapped in a soft, fluffy texture.
Equipments
- Muffin/cupcake pan
- Paper cupcake liners
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Whisk
- Sifter
- Cooling rack
- Piping bag
- Piping tip
- Small saucepan
- Spoon or offset spatula (for drizzling sauce)
Ingredients
- For the Vanilla Cupcake:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Ensure your unsalted butter is at room temperature to achieve a smooth, creamy batter for the vanilla cupcake base. Accurately measure the baking powder and baking soda to maintain the desired rise and texture of the cupcakes. Use fine granulated sugar to help the batter dissolve evenly, resulting in a moist crumb. When preparing your salted caramel frosting, balance the salt carefully to complement the sweetness without overpowering it. Your Salty Caramel Cupcake from Sprinkles Cupcakes copycat will perfectly capture the harmonious blend of sweet and savory in every soft, fluffy bite.
Instructions
- Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the muffin/cupcake pan with paper cupcake liners.
- In a mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
- In another large bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in three parts, alternating with milk, and beginning and ending with dry ingredients.
- Mix until just combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove pan from oven and place on a cooling rack; let cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
- Transfer cupcakes to wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare salted caramel frosting and caramel sauce (using remaining listed ingredients as needed).
- Fill piping bag fitted with desired tip with salted caramel frosting.
- Pipe the frosting onto cooled cupcakes.
- Drizzle rich caramel sauce over frosted cupcakes using a spoon or offset spatula.
- Serve and enjoy.
Substitution
The Salty Caramel Cupcake from Sprinkles Cupcakes copycat recipe allows you to substitute salted butter with unsalted butter plus a pinch of sea salt to control saltiness in your frosting. If you don't have caramel sauce on hand, you can easily make it from granulated sugar, water, and heavy cream in a small saucepan. When piping the frosting, ensure your buttercream is at the right consistency to prevent clogging your piping tip or creating uneven swirls. Using a cooling rack is essential to cool the cupcakes completely before frosting to avoid melting or sliding. Your choice of cupcake liners can impact baking time slightly, so adjust accordingly if you switch from standard to jumbo sizes.
Tips
Make sure to sift the flour mixture thoroughly to avoid lumps and ensure even distribution of baking powder, soda, and salt for proper cupcake rise. When mixing the batter, avoid overmixing after adding dry ingredients to maintain a tender cupcake crumb. Use a toothpick test to check doneness; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter. You'll get the best texture and flavor if the cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting and sliding.
Nutritions
Salty Caramel Cupcakes from Sprinkles Cupcakes provide a delightful treat with moderate calories primarily derived from sugar, butter, and all-purpose flour. The vanilla cupcake base offers carbohydrates and fats, while the salted caramel frosting adds additional sugars and saturated fats due to butter and caramel. You should be aware that these cupcakes are energy-dense and rich in simple sugars, making them an occasional indulgence rather than a daily snack. Enjoy one cupcake to satisfy your sweet cravings while balancing it with your overall dietary intake.
Storage
Store your Salty Caramel Cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain moisture and freshness for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them wrapped individually in plastic wrap to protect the delicate frosting and caramel drizzle, extending freshness for up to 5 days. Before serving, allow refrigerated cupcakes to return to room temperature for optimal flavor and texture.
Variation or Alternatives
Swap the all-purpose flour with almond or oat flour for a gluten-free version that adds a nutty flavor and hearty texture to your cupcakes. Use browned butter instead of regular unsalted butter to bring a deeper, more complex flavor to the vanilla base. Incorporate a pinch of sea salt flakes on top of the salted caramel frosting for an intensified salty contrast that enhances the sweetness. Substitute heavy cream in the caramel sauce with coconut cream for a dairy-free alternative that maintains richness while adding subtle tropical notes.
Allergies
Your Salty Caramel Cupcake may pose allergy risks due to common ingredients like all-purpose flour, which contains gluten, and unsalted butter, a dairy product. The salted caramel frosting and caramel sauce could also contain dairy or nuts, depending on the recipe variation used by Sprinkles Cupcakes. If you have allergies to gluten, dairy, or nuts, it's important to verify ingredient specifics and possible cross-contamination before enjoying this treat.
Why this recipe?
The Salty Caramel Cupcake from Sprinkles Cupcakes is renowned for its perfect balance of rich caramel sweetness and a hint of sea salt, creating a delightful contrast that captivates taste buds. Its moist vanilla base combined with a luscious caramel buttercream frosting topped with caramel drizzle makes it a standout indulgence among dessert lovers. You will find that replicating this classic treat at home allows you to customize sweetness and savor the fresh, high-quality ingredients that make it unique. Trying the copycat recipe is worth it for anyone wanting to recreate the irresistible flavors and texture of a beloved gourmet cupcake.