To mangle a quote from Mark Twain, the reports of the death of cupcakes has been greatly exaggerated. The trendy kids and the foodies looking for the hot new thing may ignore cupcakes but I’m here to tell you that whenever I take a plate of cupcakes anywhere people fall over themselves to get one. Often it is the adults pushing the kids out of the way, which probably says more about the company I keep but the fact remains that cupcakes are a popular item.
These cakes aren’t sickly sweet and the salt balances out the flavours nicely. Make sure you use the best salt you can – if you only have table salt in the pantry leave it out altogether.
I topped these with my ‘go to’ dark chocolate ganache recipe, then sprinkled Toffee Bits on top. These were sent to me from Canada by my cousin-in-law – receiving her baking bonanza parcels makes me all the happy 🙂
They would taste just as good with butter cream frosting of your choosing or even a dusting of icing sugar if time is short.
I took these to my office and asked people to make a donation to WIRES in exchange for a cupcake. WIRES help rescue and rehabilitate Australian native animals and birds – see more about them here: http://www.wires.org.au/
GATHER:
150g butter, diced, at room temperature
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup self-raising flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 1/2 tablespoons Nestle Top ‘n’ Fill Caramel
sprinkle of best quality sea salt
to top:
dark chocolate ganache (recipe here: https://thehungrymum.com/2012/02/13/a-sorta-valentine-day-sweet-aka-mini-chocolate-marsala-cakes-with-choc-ganache/ )
shards of toffee, to decorate – I used toffee bits sent from Canada by my lovely cousin-in-law
LET’S GET TO IT:
Preheat oven to 180C and line 12 cupcake holes with cupcake wrappers.
In bowl of electric mixer beat butter and sugar until pale and the texture doesn’t feel gritty.
Scrape down sides with a spatula then add eggs one at a time – beat well after each is added.
Using a big silver spoon gently stir in the flour, cocoa powder and buttermilk until just combined – do not overmix.
Using two teaspoons fill each wrapper until two-thirds full, then spoon in1 teaspoon caramel filling. Sprinkle a smidge of sea salt over the caramel then cover over with more cake batter.
Bake for 20 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
Set aside in the pans to cool for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
When cold top with the chocolate ganache then sprinkle over the toffee pieces.
the hungry mum 
ciao! i must make these…
thebestdressup
Hope you do, they are gooood 🙂
I’m thinking of making salted caramel slice, how do you think that would go, would I just shake a sprinkling of good sea salt over the caramel before covering it with the chocolate icing? Grazie, Hungry Nonna.
Those hip and cool people still eat cupcakes, even if it’s in secret. These looks delish Mrs H and what a great little fund raising idea.
Those cupcakes look AMAZING. Especially as I sit here in front of my computer, trying to summon the willpower to get my lazy butt off this chair, wade through the empty beer cans scattered around on the floor of my room, and head out into the morning in search of sustenance other than cold pizza and flat Faygo Rock n Rye soda. And kudos to you for keeping Mark Twain’s brilliant words alive. They were meant to stand the test of time, and can be used over and over in a variety of new and interesting contexts! 😉
why, thank you 🙂 Hope you managed to go foraging to collect all you need to bake these cakes – you won;t regret it.
They look delicious! Showed my mum to and she said they look lovely! X
Thank you so much 🙂 They are a snap to bake.
A dessert that makes me hungry.
These were delish and were happily received for dessert 🙂
Salt and sweet go soooo well together. I work in a chocolate shop and the salted caramels are ridiculously popular. Look amazing!
Salted caramel really is one of the seven modern wonders of the world 🙂
Who ever started that terrible rumour about cupcakes being a has been is one bitter soul. Phfft! Cant imagine life without them, especially when they are loaded with salted caramel. Gorgeous they sound, thinking I’ll skip breakfast and make these instead. That’s what Sundays are for right? Happy weekend to you! x
Amen, sister! I work in medi,a so I’m not blaming them, but I have read so many stories about cupcakes being O-V-E-R and it is patently untrue. And yes – they are a perfect way to start the day 🙂
These look oh sooo good! Love the sticky salted caramel centre and the glossy ganache topping – absolutely my kind of cupcake!
A gooey filling in a cupcake is a thing of wonder 🙂
Gorgeous!!!
thank you 😉
awwww the centre looks amazeballs!
The centre is allllll the good!
I can only imagine how decedent these guys are, yum.
They hit the target if you’re having a sugar craving!
Oh my goodness these are going to rock my boys world! Pinning these little puppies!
hehehe 🙂 They are pretty yummy!
These look insanely delicious- putting them on my list!
Hope you make them – you’ll be glad you did 🙂
🙂
There is nothing better than a cupcake with a surprise filling. These look so decadent and moreish… my kind of cupcake!
I agree! And when that surprise is salted caramel everyone is happy 🙂
Why do I always look at your blog at afternoon tea time? LOL. You’re right, cupcakes are always a winner with everyone and these look fantastic!
oops, sorry about the tummy rumbles 🙂 Thanks – cupcakes are still king as far a I’m concerned.
This looks amazingly delicious. Nice work and thanks for visiting my page! I’m going to stay here and explore more of yours.
Cheers – hope you find something you like 🙂
These look absolutely scrumptious, especially the caramel filling.
awww, ta! The caramel is the best part!
These cupcakes look amazing! Love that gooey caramel centre – yum! 😀
Thanks Jess – it really is what’s inside that counts x
Love “surprises” inside cupcakes and what could be better than salted caramel!
You are my kind of woman 🙂
🙂
Oh these cupcakes look amazing! That salted caramel middle is just calling my name! Yum!
Thanks Gayle! They are so easy and so delish.
These look fabulous! I love that caramel centre, mmmmm!
Thanks! The centre is the best bit 🙂
Very decadent 😃
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 2015 06:32:33 +0000
To: angela.chu703@hotmail.com
This sounds wonderful! I am sure they taste amazing, because i have already tasted chocolate cupcakes with caramel and they were perfect! Chocolate and caramel go so well together 🙂
Thanks! They were very delish, and you’re right: choc caramel is THE best flavour combo.
Foodgasm!!
he he he! Love it x
Some serious food porn going on,with your blog!