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Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes

Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes

Chocolate caramel cupcakes offer the perfect balance of rich chocolate cake and creamy, indulgent caramel frosting. They are a decadent treat that combines two beloved flavors, perfect for any celebration or just a sweet indulgence.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Muffins

  • 90 g ⅓ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 100 g ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg room temperature
  • 80 g ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
  • 45 g ½ cup cocoa powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 65 g ⅓ cup whole milk, room temperature
  • 60 g ¼ cup coffee, room temperature
  • ½ teaspoon white vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda

Homemade Caramel Filling

  • 125 g ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • 75 g ⅕ cup glucose syrup
  • 125 g ½ cup heavy cream
  • 27 g 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Cupcake Filling

  • 120 g ½ cup caramel sauce (using homemade caramel)

Caramel Frosting

  • 150 g ⅔ cup mascarpone (41% fat), chilled
  • 120 g ½ cup heavy cream (36% fat), chilled
  • 120 g ½ cup caramel sauce (using homemade caramel)
  • Note: US customary cup measurements are indicative. It’s recommended to measure ingredients with a digital scale for accuracy in grams. Baking is both an art and a science, requiring precision.

Instructions
 

Start with the Caramel Filling

  • Melt the sugar and glucose syrup in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
  • Heat the cream until it begins to simmer.
  • Once the sugar starts turning golden brown, reduce the heat to medium.
  • When the caramel reaches the right temperature (160-180°C / 320-356°F) or color (golden brown), immediately pour the hot cream over it, whisking continuously with a hand whisk or rubber spatula.
  • Cook the caramel for an additional 1-2 minutes.
  • Remove the caramel from the stove and transfer it to a large bowl to cool as quickly as possible.
  • Allow the caramel to cool to around 40°C / 104°F, then gradually mix in the butter in three stages, stirring vigorously between each addition.
  • Let the caramel chill to room temperature before using it as a filling and frosting.

For the Chocolate Muffin

  • Preheat the oven to 175°C / 347°F.
  • Using an electric hand mixer, whip the softened butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Add the egg and mix until well combined—don’t overbeat.
  • Sift the flour, salt, cocoa powder, and baking powder together to create the dry ingredients. The milk and coffee mixture will be your wet ingredients.
  • Add the dry and wet ingredients to the cupcake batter in four steps: wet, dry, wet, dry. After each addition, gently fold with a rubber spatula, finishing with the dry ingredients.
  • In a small bowl, mix the vinegar and baking soda together. It will bubble up, so immediately fold it into the cupcake batter. This step helps keep the cupcakes soft for days without imparting any vinegar flavor.
  • Spoon or pipe the batter into the cupcake pan, filling each about ¾ full. This recipe makes 6 large cupcakes.
  • Bake for 25 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool on a cooling rack before filling and frosting.

Caramel Frosting

  • Whip the cold mascarpone and heavy cream for 1-2 minutes with an electric hand mixer until it reaches a sour cream-like texture.
  • Add the room temperature caramel sauce and continue to whip for another 1-2 minutes until the frosting becomes fluffy and pipeable. Be careful not to overwhip.

Assemble

  • Once the cupcakes and caramel have cooled to room temperature, make a small hole in the center of each cupcake and fill them with the caramel sauce.
  • Pipe the frosting on top and decorate with more caramel.
  • Store the cupcakes in the fridge.

Notes

INGREDIENT NOTES:
For accurate measurements, always use a digital scale.
Ensure all ingredients for the cupcakes, such as eggs and milk, are at room temperature to ensure proper emulsification.
Don’t skip the white vinegar and baking soda "secret ingredient" – it helps achieve the perfect texture.
For the frosting, use high-fat cream and mascarpone. Low-fat dairy products won’t whip up properly and could affect the texture.
If you prefer, you can omit the glucose syrup in the caramel; refer to my ultimate caramel filling guide for more details.
TECHNIQUE NOTES:
To maximize your success, be sure to read the Expert Tips section above, as a short recipe alone cannot cover all the necessary details and the science behind baking.
When whipping the frosting, monitor the consistency closely and stop immediately once it becomes fluffy. Overbeating will cause the cream to break and become runnier instead of stiffer.
Never frost warm cupcakes – allow them to cool to room temperature before frosting.
If you’re new to using a piping bag and nozzle, it’s a good idea to practice with a simpler buttercream first to get the hang of it.