1 hour caramel cupcake recipe

INGREDIENTS

for the buttermilk cupcakes:

2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
16 tbsp salted butter, at room temperature
1 3/4 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs plus 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups buttermilk, at room temperature

for the caramel frosting:

12 tbsp salted butter
3/4 tsp salt
1 & 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp whole milk
3 cups powdered (confectioners) sugar
3 tsp pure vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line cupcake pans with paper liners. (This recipe makes 30 cupcakes. *See note.)
Add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt to a bowl and stir with a wire whisk to combine.
Put the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on medium-high speed for 5 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add 2 of the eggs. Beat on high until completely incorporate. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the other 2 eggs plus the egg yolk. Beat on high until the eggs are fully incorporate and the batter is perfectly smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Stir the vanilla into the buttermilk. Add the flour and buttermilk in alternating additions: 1/4 of the flour, 1/3 of the buttermilk, 1/4 of the flour, 1/3 of the buttermilk, 1/4 of the flour, the last of the buttermilk, and the last of the flour. After each addition, mix on low speed just long enough to barely incorporate. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl a time or two. After the last addition of flour, use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to stir the batter, ensuring all the ingredients have been well combined.
Divide the batter between the 30 cupcake cups. (*See note.)
Bake for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees and bake for 13-15 minutes longer, until a toothpick inserted in the center of one of the cupcakes comes out without any batter on it.
Remove from the oven and place the pans on wire racks. Let cool for 5 – 10 minutes, then remove the cupcakes from the pan, set on the wire racks, and allow to cool completely before frosting.
make the caramel frosting:
Add the butter, salt, and brown sugar to a medium size saucepan set over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar is melted and the mixture is just starting to boil. Stir in the milk and bring back to a boil.
Remove from the heat and stir in the powdered sugar and vanilla with a wire whisk until smooth.
Pour the caramel frosting over the cupcakes while it’s still warm.

For more detail ofbatteranddough