PUMPKIN CUPCAKES WITH SALTED CARAMEL FROSTING + FALL DECOR IDEAS

Pumpkin Cupcakes are the epitome of Fall Baking for me but instead of the typical cream cheese frosting, I wanted to add something unique. Let me introduce you to Pumpkin Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting. You heard me right. We are making Salted Caramel Frosting from scratch. It's so good, people! Pumpkin and Salted Caramel go so well together that you are going to wonder how you have gone so long without these in your life.

Sweet Pumpkin Cupcakes topped with handcrafted Salted Caramel Frosting will be one your Fall baking list every year.

INGREDIENTS

Pumpkin Cupcakes:

1 cup Oil
1⅔ cup Sugar
4 Eggs
1 - 15 ounce can Pumpkin Puree
2 cups Flour
2 teaspoons Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Salt

Salted Caramel:

1½ cups Sugar
⅓ cup Water
6 Tablespoons Butter
1 cup Heavy Cream
Salted Caramel Frosting:
1½ cup Butter, softened
6 cups Powdered Sugar
1 cup + 2 Tablespoons Salted Caramel
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1-2 teaspoons Sea Salt Flakes, for sprinkling

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In large mixing bowl, mix oil, sugar, and eggs until light and fluffy. Stir in pumpkin puree and mix unitl combined.
Stir in flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Scoop batter in cupcake liner filled cupcake pans. Fill each on ⅔ full. This recipe will make 20-24 cupcakes, depending on how large you make them. Parchment paper liners can be made by cutting 5 in x 5 in squares of parchment paper and pressing them in cupcake pan.
Bake for 15-18 minutes or until center is done. Let cool.
Salted Caramel:
In a heavy bottomed saucepan, heat sugar and water over medium high heat, whisking constantly to dissolve sugar. Once mixture reaches a boil, stop whisking. Watch carefully as it transitions from white to light amber color. This is an important step to ensure that it doesn't burn. Once mixture reaches a medium amber color, add butter and whisk until butter is melted. If you own a candy thermometer, it usually turns the perfect amber color at approximately 250 degrees.
Once it's melted, immediately remove pan from heat. Wait 10 seconds and then add heavy cream. Whisk well to combine until glossy and smooth. Allow caramel to cool for several minutes and then place in jar and place in the refrigerator to cool. It must be cooled before making frosting!
Salted Caramel Frosting:
In large bowl, cream butter for 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Slowly add powdered sugar and mix on low. Add completely cooled salted caramel and vanilla and mix together.
Frost cupcakes with salted caramel frosting. Drizzle with remaining caramel and sprinkle with sea salt flakes.

Source:modernhoney.com