1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Set aside—this will be the surprise filling inside each cupcake.
Pro Tip: For extra tanginess, you can add a squeeze of lemon juice to the cream cheese mixture.
3. Make the Cupcake Batter
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined—be careful not to overmix.
4. Assemble the Cupcakes
Spoon a small amount of cupcake batter into each liner, filling them about one-third of the way. Next, add a teaspoon of the cream cheese filling in the center of each cupcake. Top with more batter until the liners are about ⅔ full.
5. Bake
Bake the cupcakes in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the side (not the cream cheese center) comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Make the Salted Caramel Sauce
While the cupcakes are cooling, it’s time to make the salted caramel sauce.
1. Melt the Sugar
In a medium saucepan, heat the granulated sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly with a heatproof spatula or wooden spoon. The sugar will clump up, then melt into a smooth amber-colored liquid. This takes about 5-7 minutes, so be patient!
2. Add the Butter
Once the sugar is fully melted and amber in color, carefully stir in the room-temperature butter. The mixture will bubble vigorously, so keep stirring until the butter is fully incorporated.
3. Add the Cream & Salt
Slowly pour in the heavy cream, continuing to stir. The mixture will bubble again, but keep stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the sea salt. Let the caramel cool slightly before drizzling over the cupcakes.
Pro Tip: If you want a thicker caramel, cook the mixture for an extra minute after adding the cream. For a thinner drizzle, reduce the cooking time slightly.
Make the Cream Cheese Frosting (Optional)
For even more indulgence, top your cupcakes with a rich cream cheese frosting before drizzling the caramel.
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract. Frost the cooled cupcakes generously.
Assemble the Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes
Now comes the fun part! Once your cupcakes have cooled and your caramel sauce is ready, it’s time to assemble:
- Frost (Optional): If using frosting, swirl a generous amount on top of each cooled cupcake using a piping bag or spatula.
- Drizzle: Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the top of each cupcake. You can be as generous or as light-handed as you like!
- Garnish: For a final touch, sprinkle a tiny pinch of sea salt over the caramel for that extra salty-sweet contrast.
Tips & Tricks for the Best Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes
- Double the Caramel: If you’re a caramel lover, feel free to double the recipe. The extra caramel can be drizzled over ice cream, pancakes, or even enjoyed by the spoonful!
- Storage: These cupcakes store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Bring them to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
- Make the Caramel in Advance: You can make the caramel sauce up to a week ahead of time. Just warm it slightly before drizzling over the cupcakes.
- Cream Cheese Filling Variations: If you want a more pronounced flavor, mix in some caramel or chocolate chips to the cream cheese filling for a little extra decadence.
Why These Cupcakes Are Worth the Effort
Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes are the ultimate indulgence. They combine the perfect balance of sweet and salty with a surprise cream cheese center that will leave everyone reaching for seconds. The homemade caramel sauce is worth every second, transforming simple cupcakes into a gourmet dessert.
Enjoy these heavenly cupcakes at your next party, or simply treat yourself to something special. You deserve it!