Caramel Pecan Upside Down Muffins

Craving a delightful twist on traditional muffins? These Caramel Pecan Upside Down Muffins are a decadent treat that perfectly blends the rich flavors of caramel and the satisfying crunch of pecans. Whether you’re looking to impress guests at a brunch or simply indulge in a cozy weekend breakfast, these muffins are sure to become a household favorite. Let’s get baking!

**Caramel Pecan Upside Down Muffins**

**Ingredients:**
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter
– 2 tbsp water
– 1 cup chopped pecans
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
– 1 tsp baking powder
– 1/2 tsp baking soda
– 1/4 tsp salt
– 1 cup buttermilk
– 1/3 cup vegetable oil
– 1 large egg
– 1 tsp vanilla extract

**Instructions:**

1. **Prepare the Caramel Pecan Topping:**
– In a small saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, unsalted butter, and water over medium heat.
– Stir occasionally until the mixture turns a deep amber color and reaches 350°F on a candy thermometer, about 8-10 minutes.
– Remove from heat and quickly pour the caramel into a muffin tin, coating the bottom of each cup.
– Sprinkle chopped pecans over the caramel, distributing evenly. Set aside.

2. **Preheat the Oven:**
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin.

3. **Prepare the Muffin Batter:**
– In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
– In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk until fully combined.
– Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.

4. **Assemble the Muffins:**
– Spoon the muffin batter over the caramel and pecan topping in each muffin cup, filling each cup about 3/4 full.

5. **Bake the Muffins:**
– Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
– Remove from the oven and let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes.

6. **Invert and Serve:**
– Carefully invert the muffin tin onto a baking sheet or serving tray, allowing the muffins to release from the pan and reveal the caramel pecan topping.
– Serve the muffins warm, allowing the gooey caramel and crunchy pecans to shine.

Enjoy these indulgent Caramel Pecan Upside Down Muffins with a steaming cup of coffee or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra touch of luxury. The combination of rich caramel, nutty pecans, and fluffy muffin batter creates a truly irresistible treat that will have your family and friends coming back for more. Happy baking!