This festive season, bring the comforting flavors of American Christmas baking into your home with a delightful treat that perfectly captures the essence of the holidays. Our Spiced Caramel Cupcakes recipe combines warm spices with rich caramel for a decadent dessert that will leave your guests craving more. These cupcakes are perfect for sharing at holiday parties or as a special homemade gift for loved ones. Let’s dive into creating these scrumptious treats!
Title: Spiced Caramel Cupcakes
Ingredients:
– 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
– 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 2 large eggs, room temperature
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/2 cup buttermilk
– 1/2 cup store-bought or homemade caramel sauce
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
6. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
8. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Once the cupcakes have cooled, use a small knife or cupcake corer to remove the center of each cupcake, creating a small well.
10. Fill each well with a generous spoonful of caramel sauce. You can warm the caramel sauce slightly in the microwave for easier pouring.
11. Optionally, decorate the cupcakes with a drizzle of additional caramel sauce or a sprinkle of cinnamon before serving.
Enjoy these Spiced Caramel Cupcakes as a delightful treat to celebrate the magic of the holiday season. Whether you’re whipping them up for a festive gathering or simply indulging in some cozy baking at home, these cupcakes are sure to bring joy to all who taste them. Embrace the warmth of the season with each luscious bite of these spiced and caramel-filled delights!
