Dreamy Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes Recipe

Decadent swirls of salted caramel cream cheese cupcakes dance with rich, velvety promise on your plate.

Sweet meets salty in a delightful culinary ballet that captivates every taste bud.

These cupcakes blend creamy cheese with deep caramel undertones for an irresistible dessert experience.

Each bite promises a luxurious blend of textures and flavors that melt perfectly on your tongue.

The delicate balance of saltiness and sweetness creates a sophisticated treat perfect for any celebration.

Smooth cream cheese frosting crowned with golden caramel drizzles elevates this classic dessert to gourmet status.

Bake these cupcakes and watch as they become the star of your dessert table.

Cute Ways To Serve Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes

• Caramel Lover's Dream: Top these cupcakes with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to enhance the rich caramel flavor and add a creamy contrast.
• Sweet and Salty Garnish: Sprinkle crushed pretzels or candied pecans on top for a delightful crunch that complements the soft cupcake texture and adds a gourmet touch.
• Decadent Dessert Pairing: Serve alongside a steaming cup of dark roast coffee or a small glass of amber rum to highlight the caramel notes and create a sophisticated dessert experience.
• Festive Party Platter: Arrange cupcakes on a decorative platter with additional sea salt flakes and caramel drizzle for an eye-catching presentation that will impress guests at any gathering.

Storage Tricks For Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes

Keep cupcakes in a sealed container with a tight lid, placing wax paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain frosting quality.

• Refrigeration Magic: Store cream cheese-based cupcakes in the refrigerator for maximum freshness, lasting up to 3-4 days. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before serving to soften and enhance flavor.
• Freezing Techniques: Wrap individual cupcakes tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then let sit at room temperature for best taste and texture.
• Make-Ahead Strategy: Prepare cupcake batter and cream cheese filling a day before baking. Store separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator, allowing ingredients to stay fresh and ready for quick assembly.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 11

Sweet Essentials In Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the cupcake together, choose unbleached flour for better texture.
• Baking Powder: Creates light and fluffy texture, ensure it's fresh for maximum rising power.
• Baking Soda: Helps cupcakes rise and balance acidity, check expiration date for best results.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine-grain table salt for even distribution.

• Butter: Adds richness and tender crumb, use room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Sugar: Sweetens and helps with caramelization, granulated white sugar works best.
• Eggs: Provides structure and moisture, use large eggs at room temperature.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor, choose pure extract for best taste.
• Sour Cream: Creates moisture and tender texture, full-fat version recommended.
• Caramel Sauce: Infuses rich caramel flavor, use store-bought or homemade sauce.

• Cream Cheese: Creates tangy, creamy filling, use full-fat block-style cream cheese for best consistency.
• Sugar: Sweetens the filling, powdered sugar gives smoother texture.
• Egg: Helps set the filling, use at room temperature.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle aromatic flavor, pure extract preferred.

• Sea Salt Flakes: Provides beautiful contrast and enhances caramel flavor, use high-quality flaky salt.
• Additional Caramel Sauce: Adds extra decadence and visual appeal, warm slightly for easier drizzling.

Tools That Make Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes Easy

• Muffin Tin: 12-cup standard size with cupcake liners for perfect portioning.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious bowl for combining cake batter ingredients smoothly.
• Medium Bowl: Used for mixing dry ingredients like flour and baking powder.
• Electric Mixer: Essential for beating butter, cream cheese, and creating fluffy textures.
• Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients and ensuring no lumps.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for accurate ingredient ratios.
• Toothpick: Helps check cupcake doneness by testing cake's interior.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cupcakes to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Spatula: Helpful for scraping batter and spreading ingredients evenly.

Bake Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes With These Steps

• Oven Preparation

Warm up the kitchen with a cozy 350F setting and line a muffin tin with soft paper cups.

• Batter Creation

Whip together dry ingredients in one bowl while blending butter and sugar until they become fluffy clouds. Introduce eggs, vanilla, and sour cream, creating a silky smooth mixture. Gently fold in caramel sauce and dry ingredients, being careful not to overwork the batter.

• Cream Cheese Magic

Blend cream cheese with sweet touches until impossibly smooth and creamy.

• Cupcake Assembly

Carefully layer batter and cream cheese filling into each paper cup, filling them about three-quarters full with delightful potential.

• Baking Adventure

Send your cupcakes into the warm oven for 18-20 minutes. They’re ready when a toothpick emerges clean from the cakey part. Let them rest briefly in the tin before transferring to a cooling rack.

• Finishing Touches

Once cooled, shower your cupcakes with extra caramel drizzle and a sprinkle of sea salt crystals for a tantalizing sweet-salty finale.

• Serving Suggestion

Devour immediately or store in a sealed container, enjoying their deliciousness within three days.

Tips To Make Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes Pop

• Cupcake Mastery Tricks: Elevate your salted caramel cream cheese cupcakes with these expert tips and delightful variations.
• Cream Cheese Swirl Technique: Prevent the cream cheese filling from sinking by chilling it for 15 minutes before adding to the batter, ensuring a perfect center every time.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cupcakes celiac-friendly without compromising taste or texture.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace butter with coconut oil, use dairy-free cream cheese alternative, and choose plant-based milk to create a delicious vegan version of these decadent cupcakes.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cupcake batter and cream cheese filling separately the night before, refrigerate, and bake fresh in the morning for a stress-free breakfast or brunch treat.

Luscious Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes Recipe

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4.7 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Salted caramel cream cheese cupcakes combine rich flavor profiles with elegant dessert complexity. Sweet-salty notes dance across creamy textures, inviting you to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) sour cream, room temperature
• ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) caramel sauce, store-bought or homemade
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 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: Calibrate oven to 350F (175C) and position cupcake liners uniformly in a 12-cup muffin tin for consistent heat distribution.
2. Dry Mixture: Blend flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, ensuring a smooth, homogeneous dry ingredient base.
3. Butter Mixture: Whip butter and sugar until light and fluffy, creating a soft, aerated foundation for the cupcake batter.
4. Wet Integration: Gradually fold eggs into the butter mixture, then incorporate vanilla extract and sour cream, mixing until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
5. Batter Composition: Gently swirl caramel sauce through the batter and delicately fold in dry ingredients, maintaining an airy texture.
6. Cream Cheese Filling: Whisk cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until achieving a smooth, lump-free cream with a velvety finish.
7. Cupcake Assembly: Layer batter into liners, filling one-third deep, then center a generous dollop of cream cheese mixture in each.
8. Baking Preparation: Top cream cheese with remaining batter, filling liners three-quarters full to accommodate rising during baking.
9. Baking Process: Bake for 18-20 minutes, verifying doneness by inserting a toothpick near the cupcake’s edge and ensuring it comes out clean.
10. Cooling Method: Rest cupcakes in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and stabilization.
11. Finishing Touch: Embellish cooled cupcakes with a caramel sauce drizzle and a delicate sprinkle of sea salt flakes for a gourmet flavor profile.
12. Storage and Serving: Enjoy immediately or preserve in an airtight container, consuming within 3 days to maintain optimal taste and texture.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Stir dry ingredients minimally to keep cupcakes light and fluffy, avoiding dense and tough texture.
• Temperature Matters: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother batter and more even mixing.
• Cream Cheese Precision: Whip cream cheese filling until completely smooth, using room temperature cream cheese to eliminate lumps.
• Salt Sprinkle Strategy: Add sea salt flakes just before serving to maintain their crisp texture and prevent dissolving into the caramel.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 26g
• Sodium: 220mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 41g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 70mg