The Perfect Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes Recipe

Life gets sweeter with these decadent salted caramel cream cheese cupcakes that balance rich flavors perfectly.

Sweet meets salty in a delightful dance of taste sensations.

Biting into a soft, pillowy cupcake with unexpected caramel notes that surprise your palate.

Each carefully crafted bite promises pure indulgence without overwhelming complexity.

Creamy textures blend seamlessly with delicate hints of salt and sweetness.

Elegant yet approachable, these cupcakes transform an ordinary afternoon into a memorable moment.

You’ll want to savor every single delectable crumb and share the magic with those closest to you.

Grab your mixing bowl and let’s create something extraordinary that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes Are Sweet And Salty Heaven

• Dive into Decadent Layers: Enjoy the delightful combination of soft cupcake, creamy cream cheese filling, and rich caramel that creates a stunning multi-dimensional taste experience.
• Craft Effortless Elegance: This recipe offers a seemingly complex dessert that's surprisingly simple to make, allowing home bakers to create a professional-looking treat with minimal baking expertise.
• Savor Sweet-Salty Harmony: The magical blend of sweet caramel with sea salt flakes delivers a sophisticated flavor profile that tingles taste buds and elevates the classic cupcake to a gourmet dessert.
• Customize with Comfort: Perfect for family gatherings, celebrations, or weekend treats, these cupcakes can be easily prepared ahead of time and stored, making them a convenient and crowd-pleasing option for any occasion.

What You’ll Need For Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes

• All-Purpose Flour: Key structural ingredient for tender cupcake texture, provides necessary protein and starch.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweet foundation that creates soft, moist cupcake structure.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create tender crumb with smooth texture.
• Eggs: Crucial binding agent that provides structure and helps cupcakes rise.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and creates tender, tangy background flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall sweetness with warm, complex flavor.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents to help cupcakes rise and become light.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.

• Cream Cheese: Creates rich, smooth filling with tangy flavor.
• Sugar: Sweetens cream cheese mixture.
• Egg: Helps stabilize and set cream cheese filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle aromatic sweetness.

• Caramel Sauce: Provides deep, rich sweetness throughout cupcake.
• Sea Salt Flakes: Adds contrast and enhances caramel's complexity.

How To Bake Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 350F (175C). Grab a 12-cup muffin tin and line it with cute cupcake liners.

Step 2: Whip Together the Dry Mix

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Step 3: Create the Cupcake Base

In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until they’re light and fluffy. Crack in eggs one by one, then splash in vanilla extract and sour cream. Pour in caramel sauce and mix until everything looks smooth and dreamy. Gently fold in the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined. Don’t go crazy with mixing!

Step 4: Craft the Creamy Filling

In a separate bowl, whip cream cheese with sugar, an egg, and vanilla extract until silky and smooth.

Step 5: Build Your Cupcake Layers

Spoon a tablespoon of batter into each liner. Drop a dollop of cream cheese filling on top. Cover with another spoonful of batter, filling each liner about three-quarters full.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Pop the tin in the oven for 18-20 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the cupcake (avoid the cream cheese center). Let cupcakes hang out in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Add the Finishing Touches

Once cooled, drizzle caramel sauce over the top and sprinkle with sea salt flakes for that irresistible sweet-salty kick.

Step 8: Serve and Devour

Dig in right away or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Watch them disappear in record time!

Top Tips For Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes

• Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined to maintain a tender, light cupcake texture.
• Cream Cheese Filling Technique: Use chilled cream cheese and mix until smooth to avoid lumps and ensure a creamy, even filling.
• Perfect Baking Timing: Check cupcakes at 18 minutes and insert toothpick near the edge to avoid the cream cheese center for accurate doneness.
• Storage Pro Tip: Refrigerate cupcakes in a sealed container, placing parchment paper between layers to keep the caramel drizzle and sea salt intact.
• Customize Caramel Intensity: Adjust the amount of caramel sauce in the batter and drizzle to control the sweetness and flavor depth of your cupcakes.

How To Keep Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes Fresh

• Refrigerate Quickly: Pop leftover cupcakes into an airtight container, sealing tightly to prevent moisture loss and preserve their delicious flavor. Keep them chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Wrap with Care: Before storing, loosely cover cupcakes with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to protect the delicate cream cheese filling and prevent them from absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Reheat Gently: Bring refrigerated cupcakes to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. For a warm treat, microwave individual cupcakes for 10-15 seconds on low power, checking to avoid overheating.
• Avoid Freezing: Skip freezing these cupcakes, as the cream cheese filling and delicate texture may become compromised, potentially affecting their original moist and creamy consistency.

Pairings That Work With Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes

• Pair with Creamy Cappuccino: The rich, velvety salted caramel cupcakes blend perfectly with a smooth cappuccino. Espresso's robust flavor cuts through the sweetness, creating a balanced taste experience that elevates both the dessert and drink.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of cold, creamy vanilla bean ice cream alongside the warm cupcakes. The contrast of temperatures and complementary vanilla notes create a delightful sensory explosion that enhances the caramel's deepness.
• Complement with Dessert Wine: A glass of sweet Sauternes or late harvest Riesling pairs wonderfully with these cupcakes. The wine's honeyed undertones and subtle acidity harmonize beautifully with the salted caramel's complex flavor profile.
• Enjoy with Cinnamon Chai Latte: A spicy-sweet cinnamon chai latte provides a warm, aromatic companion to the cupcakes. The chai's warming spices and creamy texture match the dessert's richness, creating a comforting and indulgent combination.

Yummy Variations For Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes

• Chocolate Caramel Swirl: Replace half the flour with cocoa powder for a rich chocolate base. Swirl melted dark chocolate into the cream cheese filling for deeper flavor complexity.
• Nutty Crunch Edition: Fold chopped pecans or walnuts into the cupcake batter. Sprinkle toasted nuts on top of the caramel drizzle for added texture and crunch.
• Espresso Caramel Boost: Add 1-2 tablespoons of strong brewed espresso to the batter. Incorporate instant espresso powder into the cream cheese filling for a subtle coffee undertone.
• Seasonal Berry Fusion: Mix fresh raspberries or diced strawberries into the cream cheese filling. Garnish cupcakes with fresh berries and a light dusting of powdered sugar for a fruity variation.

Questions About Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupca

• Why add sour cream to the cupcake batter?

Sour cream adds moisture and creates a tender, rich texture in the cupcakes. It helps make the cupcakes soft and prevents them from becoming dry or dense.

• Can I use regular salt instead of sea salt flakes?

Sea salt flakes provide a crunchy texture and intense flavor contrast. Regular salt won’t give the same visual appeal or texture, so it’s best to stick with sea salt flakes for the authentic salted caramel experience.

• How do I prevent the cream cheese filling from sinking?

By layering the batter carefully and not overmixing, the cream cheese filling will stay suspended in the middle of the cupcake. Gently spoon the batter around and over the filling to help it stay in place during baking.

• What if my caramel sauce is too thick?

Warm the caramel sauce slightly in the microwave or on the stovetop to make it more fluid. This will help you drizzle it more easily over the cooled cupcakes and create a beautiful presentation.

Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes Recipe

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4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Indulgent salted caramel cream cheese cupcakes blend sweet and salty notes for an irresistible dessert experience. Rich cream cheese frosting and golden caramel drizzle crown these delectable treats that promise pure culinary bliss.

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Ingredients

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Cupcake Base Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ½ cup (120 milliliters / 4 fluid ounces) sour cream, room temperature
• ½ cup (120 milliliters / 4 fluid ounces) caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Filling Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (225g) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters / 2 fluid ounces) caramel sauce

Topping Ingredient:

• ½ teaspoon sea salt flakes (for sprinkling on top)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and arrange cupcake liners in a 12-cup muffin tin, ensuring even spacing for consistent baking.
2. Create the cupcake foundation by whisking flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined and lump-free.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes pale and airy, creating a smooth base for the cupcakes.
4. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, ensuring each is fully integrated before adding the next. Blend in vanilla extract and sour cream, mixing until the batter achieves a silky consistency.
5. Gently fold in caramel sauce, creating delicate swirls throughout the batter. Gradually introduce dry ingredients, stirring minimally to maintain a light texture.
6. Prepare the cream cheese filling by whipping cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and velvety, with no visible lumps.
7. Distribute a base layer of cupcake batter into each liner, filling approximately one-third of the way. Add a generous dollop of cream cheese mixture in the center.
8. Cover the cream cheese with remaining cupcake batter, filling each liner about three-quarters full to allow room for rising during baking.
9. Bake for 18-20 minutes, monitoring carefully and testing doneness with a toothpick inserted near the edge of the cupcake.
10. Allow cupcakes to rest in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
11. Finish by drizzling additional caramel sauce over the cooled cupcakes and sprinkle sea salt flakes for a sophisticated sweet-savory contrast.
12. Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container, enjoying within 3 days for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Prevent overmixing by stirring the batter gently and stopping as soon as ingredients are just combined to maintain a tender, soft cupcake texture.
• Create a smoother cream cheese filling by ensuring all ingredients are at room temperature before blending, which helps eliminate lumps and achieve a silky consistency.
• Enhance flavor complexity by using high-quality caramel sauce with deep, rich notes, and selecting a flaky sea salt that provides a delicate crunch and balanced saltiness.
• Adapt the recipe for gluten-free diets by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same measurements and mixing techniques.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 27g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 60mg