EmilyFabulous

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Easy Dinner Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Sweet Baked Goods
    • Instant Pot & Air Fryer Recipes
      • Instant Pot Recipes
      • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Homemade Syrups, Condiments, Sauces, etc.
  • Cocktails
    • Gin
    • Vodka
    • Tequila
    • Whiskey/Bourbon
    • Brandy/Pisco
  • Holiday Recipes
    • Christmas Recipes
    • Thanksgiving Recipes
    • Halloween Recipes
    • Patriotic Recipes
    • Valentine's Day Recipes
    • Easter Recipes
    • St. Patrick's Day Recipes
  • Easy Recipes, Cocktail Inspiration, and a little bit of fun!
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Appetizers & Salads
  • Recipes
  • Cocktails
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
×
Emily Fabulous » Recipes » Desserts

Caramel Filled Cupcakes

Published: Nov 3, 2022 · Modified: May 7, 2023 by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links · 16 Comments

Jump to Recipe
Caramel-Filled-Cupcake-recipe

These Caramel Filled Cupcakes are every caramel lover's dream! A moist vanilla cupcake filled with caramel and topped with caramel buttercream frosting makes a decadent and delicious handheld treat!

caramel cupcakes on a baking rack.
Jump to:
  • Why I Love These Caramel Filled Cupcakes
  • Key Cupcake Ingredients
  • Key Caramel Buttercream Ingredients
  • How to Make a Quick Buttermilk Substitute
  • How to Make The Vanilla Cupcakes
  • How to Make the Caramel Buttercream Frosting
  • How to get the Caramel Inside the Cupcake
  • Make Homemade Caramel or Use Store-Bought
  • Equipment Needed to Make Caramel Cupcakes
  • More Unique Cupcake Recipes
  • Caramel Filled Cupcakes with Caramel Buttercream Frosting

Why I Love These Caramel Filled Cupcakes

It's not hard to figure out why I love these cupcakes, because, well...cupcakes. And they are filled with delicious caramel and then topped with caramel buttercream frosting.

I guess I could have put caramel in the cupcake batter as well, but that probably would have been overkill. But, I did use more caramel on my Apple Crumble Cheesecake Bars and my Mini Apple Galettes.

caramel filled cupcake cut in half.

Key Cupcake Ingredients

ingredients for vanilla cupcakes.
  • All-Purpose Flour
  • White Sugar
  • Sour Cream
  • Buttermilk
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Eggs

*See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.

Key Caramel Buttercream Ingredients

caramel buttercream frosting ingredients.
  • Unsalted Butter
  • Caramel
  • Confectioners Powdered Sugar

*See the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.

How to Make a Quick Buttermilk Substitute

To make a buttermilk substitute, take ½ cup of whole milk and add ½ tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Stir to combine and use in place of buttermilk. 

How to Make The Vanilla Cupcakes

dry ingredients for cupcakes.

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a cupcake pan with liners. Add the flour, salt, and baking powder to a medium mixing bowl, whisk together, and set aside.

creamed butter, sugar and eggs for cupcakes.

Step 2: In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, cream the butter for about 1 minute, and then add the sugar. Continue to beat until light and fluffy (this takes a few minutes).

cake batter with hand mixer.

Step 3: Add about ⅓ of the dry flour mixture to the batter and begin mixing then pour in half of the buttermilk and combine. Repeat with the remaining dry ingredients and buttermilk until everything has been added and mixed in. Stop beating as soon as the ingredients have been combined so you don't over-mix the batter.

baked cupcakes in a cupcake tin.

Step 4: Fill each liner with batter about ¾ full and bake for 20-22 minutes or when a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes and then remove them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

caramel cupcakes on a cooling rack.

How to Make the Caramel Buttercream Frosting

butter creamed together in a mixer.

Step 1: Place the butter into the bowl of a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl and beat for about 1 minute. Add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and combine after each addition. Add in the salt, milk, and vanilla and continue to beat.

caramel being mixed into frosting.

Step 2: Pour in the caramel in a stream while beating to combine. Check for desired consistency and add more milk or powdered sugar if needed.

caramel filled cupcake on a cake stand.

How to get the Caramel Inside the Cupcake

Once the cupcakes have cooled, use a cupcake corer or the bottom of a piping tip to dig a hold in the middle of each cupcake. using a spoon or a piping bag, fill each hole with caramel. Don't worry if it's a little messy, the frosting will cover up the hole.

cored vanilla cupcake
cupcake being filled with caramel
caramel filled cupcake

Make Homemade Caramel or Use Store-Bought

I used my homemade Instant Pot Caramel for these cupcakes. It's so easy to make and I add salt to make salted caramel or dulce de leche, but that is optional.

You can also use store-bought caramel sauce. Just ensure it is at room temperature before adding it to the buttercream.

salted caramel made in the instant pot after being stirred.

Equipment Needed to Make Caramel Cupcakes

A stand mixer is a must-have in any baker's kitchen! I have had my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer for years and I love it. I use my Wilton Cupcake Pan all the time. The non-stick quality makes this pan so easy to clean and my cupcakes come out perfect every time!

More Unique Cupcake Recipes

  • lilac cupcake on a platter
    Lilac Cupcakes with Lilac Buttercream Frosting
  • a lavender lemon cupcake with fresh lavender on top
    Lemon Lavender Cupcakes
  • passion fruit curd cupcakes
    Passion Fruit Cupcakes
  • hibiscus cupcake with a dried hibiscus flower on top
    Hibiscus Cupcakes

If you get a chance to make these Caramel Filled Cupcakes, tag me on Instagram or Facebook and show me, or leave a review below! You can also follow me on Pinterest and sign up for my e-mail list to receive more fun and delicious recipes in your inbox.

caramel filled cupcake cut in half

Caramel Filled Cupcakes with Caramel Buttercream Frosting

Vanilla cupcakes filled with caramel, topped with caramel buttercream frosting, and drizzled with even more caramel!
5 from 73 votes
Print Pin Rate Save Recipe Recipe Saved!
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cooling Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hour
Servings: 15 cupcakes
Calories: 437kcal
Author: Emily
Prevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

  • 1 stand mixer
  • 1 medium mixing bowl
  • 1 cupcake pan
  • 15 cupcakes liners
  • piping bag
  • piping tip (I used Wilton 1M)

Ingredients

Cupcakes

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder¼
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, room temp (1 stick)
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temp
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ cup sour cream, room temp
  • ½ cup buttermilk, room temp (or milk with vinegar or lemon juice added, see notes)

Caramel Buttercream Frosting

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temp⅘ (2 sticks)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt (skip if using salted caramel)
  • 4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 tablespoon whole milk
  • ¼ cup caramel (salted or regular) plus more for the drizzle

Instructions

Cupcakes

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a cupcake pan with liners. This recipe will make about 15 cupcakes. I made 12 regular-size and 12 mini cupcakes.
  • Add the flour, salt, and baking powder to a medium mixing bowl, whisk together and set aside.
  • In a stand mixer, cream the butter for about 1 minute, and then add the sugar. Continue to beat until light and fluffy. This takes a few minutes. You can also do this in a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer.
  • Add the eggs and vanilla and continue beating to combine. Pour in the sour cream and finish beating the mixture.
  • Add about ⅓ of the dry flour mixture to the batter and begin mixing. Pour in half of the buttermilk and combine. Repeat with the rest of the dry ingredients and buttermilk until everything has been added and mixed in. Stop beating as soon as the ingredients have been combined so that you don't over-mix the batter.
  • Fill each liner with batter about ¾ full. Bake for 20-22 minutes. The cupcakes are done when a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes and then remove them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  • Once the cupcakes have cooled, use a cupcake corer or the bottom of a piping tip to dig a hold in the middle of each cupcake. Using a spoon or a piping bag, fill each hole with caramel. Don't worry if it's a little messy, the frosting will cover up the hole.

Caramel Buttercream Frosting

  • Place the butter into the bowl of a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl. Beat for about 1 minute. Add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and combine after each addition. Add in the salt (skip this step if you are using salted caramel).
  • Add the milk and vanilla and continue to beat. Pour in the caramel in a stream while beating to combine.
  • Check for desired consistency and add more milk or powdered sugar if needed. After the cupcakes have fully cooled, place the frosting in a piping bag with a tip and add it to the top of the cupcakes. I used a Wilton #1M tip.

Video

Notes

  • To make a buttermilk substitute, take ½ cup of whole milk and add ½ tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Stir to combine and use in place of buttermilk. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 437kcal | Carbohydrates: 59.3g | Protein: 3.3g | Fat: 21.2g | Saturated Fat: 13.1g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 150mg | Potassium: 117mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 44.9g | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 1mg

Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @EmilyFabulous_Blog or tag #emilyfabulous!
QR Code

More Delicious Dessert Recipes

  • guava puree in a jar.
    Guava Puree
  • 23 Easter Dessert Recipes.
    20+ Easy and Fun Easter Desserts
  • 22 dehydrator Recipes.
    22 Dehydrator Recipes
  • 13 Thanksgiving Recipes for Kids.
    13 Thanksgiving Desserts for Kids

Share it!

213 shares
  • Facebook
  • Flipboard

Comments

  1. carol ann says

    May 07, 2023 at 12:00 pm

    I have read over the recipe and i must be blind or what but when and where do you put the caramel filling into the cupcake....

    Reply
    • Emily says

      May 07, 2023 at 2:10 pm

      Hi Carol Ann, I'm so sorry that is a little embarrassing. The instructions are now in the post with photos as well as the recipe card. After the cupcakes have cooled, you create a hole in the top of each cupcake and fill it with caramel. Enjoy!

      Reply
  2. Sue says

    November 06, 2022 at 3:35 am

    5 stars
    You can never go wrong with cupcakes, but filling with caramel is a genius move! These were a huge hit with my family, and they want to know when I'm making them again!!!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 07, 2022 at 9:09 am

      I totally agree and I'm so glad your family loved these!

      Reply
  3. tiannaskitchen says

    November 05, 2022 at 5:46 pm

    5 stars
    these sound delicious, i love cupcakes and cannot wait to try these!

    Reply
  4. Jess says

    November 05, 2022 at 5:04 pm

    5 stars
    These are so pretty and delicious!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 07, 2022 at 9:09 am

      Thanks, Jess!

      Reply
  5. Aimee Mars says

    November 04, 2022 at 1:33 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! This treat did not disappoint. I wish I would have made a double batch.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 07, 2022 at 9:10 am

      A double batch would be dangerous in my house, LOL. Thanks for trying the recipe!

      Reply
  6. Patty at Spoonabilities says

    November 04, 2022 at 1:21 pm

    5 stars
    You had me at Caramel Filled Cupcakes. That's all I needed to see lol. The cupcakes are so moist and the caramel in the middle and then topped with the buttercream frosting is just out of this world!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 07, 2022 at 9:11 am

      Thanks, Patty! I mean, caramel-filled anything HAS to be good, right?!?!

      Reply
  7. Sara says

    November 04, 2022 at 1:14 pm

    5 stars
    These look like the best treat! I am not a fan of chocolate, so cupcakes with caramel filling are right up my alley. Can't wait to try these!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 07, 2022 at 9:12 am

      Chocolate is not at the top of my list either...great minds think alike!😁

      Reply
  8. Diana Reis says

    November 04, 2022 at 12:58 pm

    5 stars
    The cupcake was just right and the instant pot caramel was the perfect filling.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      November 07, 2022 at 9:11 am

      Thanks, Diana. I just love that caramel sauce and I'm glad you did too!

      Reply
  9. Beth says

    November 04, 2022 at 12:50 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is just what all Fall parties need. Its easy, festive, fun, and so delicious!

    Reply
5 from 73 votes (65 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




picture of the author and owner of emilyfabulous.com.

Hi, I'm Emily! I'm excited to share my passions, experiments, and fun with you. I love to cook, bake, create recipes, mix cocktails and try new things!

More about me →

emilyfabulous.com has been featured In pinterest, parade, foodgawker, recipe lion, bon appetit, yummly, msn, foodtalk, flipboard, and more.

Spring Cocktails

  • strawberry rhubarb cocktail on a tray.
    Strawberry Rhubarb Cocktail
  • lemon curd cocktail in a coupe glass.
    Lemon Curd Cocktail Recipe
  • blood orange margarita on the rocks.
    Blood Orange Margarita
  • lilac-cocktail
    Lilac Gin Sour

Most Popular

  • poolish-pizza-dough-round
    Poolish Pizza Dough
  • sourdough bread on a cooling rack.
    Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread
  • baked-chile-rellenos
    Baked Chile Rellenos
  • ciabatta rolls on a plate and sliced in half.
    Easy Ciabatta Rolls Recipe
  • stack of pink crumbl copycat cookies
    Crumbl Cookie Copycat Recipe
  • chocolate peanut butter rice krispie treats
    Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up for emails and updates

Contact

  • About

COPYRIGHT © 2025 EMILY FABULOUS, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.