Irresistible Butter Pecan Cupcakes with Melted Caramel Recipe

Butter pecan cupcakes shimmer with golden-brown decadence that whispers sweet Southern comfort.

Nutty aromas waft through kitchens, promising delectable moments of pure indulgence.

Soft, tender crumbs invite passionate bakers to craft magical desserts.

caramel drizzles promise rich, complex flavor profiles that dance across taste buds.

Pecans add delightful crunch and earthy undertones to these irresistible treats.

Homemade goodness emerges from simple ingredients blended with careful precision.

Bake these cupcakes and watch smiles bloom around your table.

Butter Pecan Cupcake with Caramel in Every Bite

• These butter pecan cupcakes require simple ingredients and basic baking skills, making them perfect for both novice and experienced bakers.
• The combination of toasted pecans, rich caramel, and creamy frosting creates a decadent treat that appeals to all ages and taste preferences.
• Ideal for potlucks, birthdays, holiday gatherings, or just a sweet weekend indulgence that brings everyone together with its irresistible flavor profile.
• Flexible recipe allows for personal touches like extra pecans, different frosting techniques, or adjusting caramel drizzle to suit individual tastes.

Butter Pecan Cupcake with Caramel Ingredient Guide

• Flour: The main base that provides structure to the cupcake.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt: Essential leavening agents and flavor enhancers for the cupcake.

• Butter: Adds richness and creates a tender cupcake texture.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep, caramel-like sweetness and moisture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients and add structure to the cupcake.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the dessert.
• Milk: Helps create a smooth and moist cake batter.

• Pecans: Adds nutty flavor and crunchy texture to the cupcake.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth and sweet frosting base.
• Caramel Candies, Heavy Cream: Combined to make a rich, drizzling caramel sauce.

Baking Butter Pecan Cupcake with Caramel

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Get your oven ready by heating it to 350F (175C).

Grab a 12-cup muffin tin and line it with cupcake liners, creating the perfect home for your delicious treats.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Whisk these ingredients together until they’re well blended.

Step 3: Create the Cupcake Base

In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition.

Stir in vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture.

Pour in milk, alternating with the remaining dry ingredients.

Fold in toasted pecans, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.

Step 5: Bake the Cupcakes

Divide the batter equally among the cupcake liners.

Slide the tin into the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Let the cupcakes cool completely before moving to the next step.

Step 6: Whip Up the Butter Pecan Frosting

In a saucepan, melt butter and stir in brown sugar.

Cook for 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Blend until the frosting becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 7: Prepare the Caramel Drizzle

Use a small saucepan to melt caramel candies with heavy cream over low heat.

Stir constantly until the mixture becomes smooth and pourable.

Allow it to cool slightly.

Step 8: Decorate and Serve

Spread or pipe the butter pecan frosting over the cooled cupcakes.

Drizzle with the melted caramel sauce.

For an extra touch, sprinkle chopped pecans on top if desired.

Smart Tips for Butter Pecan Cupcake with Caramel

• Spread pecans on a baking sheet and roast at 350F for 5-7 minutes, stirring once halfway through to ensure even browning and enhance their rich, nutty flavor.
• Avoid overmixing the batter and check doneness early, as overbaking can lead to dry, tough cupcakes. Remove from oven when a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
• Let caramel cool slightly before drizzling to achieve the ideal thickness. If too thick, gently reheat or add a splash of cream to reach a smooth, pourable texture.
• Use room temperature ingredients for the smoothest frosting. Beat until light and fluffy, and if too thick, add milk one teaspoon at a time to reach desired consistency. Refrigerate if using cream-based frosting, but let come to room temperature before serving for best flavor.

Keeping Butter Pecan Cupcake with Caramel Tasty

• Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent frosting from sticking.
• Wrap individual unfrosted cupcakes tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting.
• Keep unfrosted cupcakes in a sealed container at room temperature for 1-2 days. Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources to maintain freshness.
• Warm refrigerated cupcakes in the microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power. Allow to sit for a minute before serving to prevent soggy texture.

Pairing Butter Pecan Cupcake with Caramel Right

Pair Sweet with Warm Bourbon Cocktail: A smooth, rich bourbon cocktail like an Old Fashioned complements the buttery, nutty flavors of the cupcake, enhancing its caramel and pecan notes.

Serve Alongside Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Creamy, cold vanilla ice cream provides a delightful temperature and flavor contrast, cutting through the richness of the cupcake and adding a luxurious texture.

Match with Spiced Chai Latte: The warm, aromatic spices in chai – like cinnamon and cardamom – beautifully echo the toasted pecan and caramel undertones, creating a harmonious flavor experience.

Complement with Salted Caramel Macchiato: This coffee drink’s deep caramel notes and slight saltiness perfectly mirror the cupcake’s sweet caramel drizzle, creating a decadent dessert pairing.

Topping Styles for Butter Pecan Cupcake with Caramel

• Gluten-Free Pecan Cupcakes: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend containing rice flour, almond flour, or a commercial gluten-free mix to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Butter Pecan Delight: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and use plant-based milk like almond or oat milk. Replace dairy frosting with cashew-based cream or vegan buttercream.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of brown sugar, and swap traditional caramel for a sugar-free caramel alternative made with sugar substitutes and sugar-free cream.
• Nut-Free Alternative: Remove pecans from the recipe and replace with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for those with nut allergies. Use seed flour or additional gluten-free flour to maintain the original texture.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients for this Butter Pecan Cupcake?

The key ingredients include flour, brown sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, milk, toasted pecans, powdered sugar, and caramel candies. These ingredients create a rich, nutty, and sweet cupcake with a delicious caramel finish.

• Can I substitute ingredients if I don't have some on hand?

You can substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour, use margarine instead of butter, and replace milk with almond or oat milk. However, for the best flavor, try to stick to the original recipe ingredients.

• How do I ensure my cupcakes turn out moist?

To keep cupcakes moist, don’t overmix the batter, use room temperature ingredients, and be careful not to overbake. Check doneness with a toothpick and remove from the oven as soon as it comes out clean.

• Why do I need to toast the pecans?

Toasting pecans enhances their natural nutty flavor and adds a deeper, more complex taste to the cupcakes. It also gives them a crunchier texture and releases their essential oils, making them more aromatic.

Butter Pecan Cupcakes with Melted Caramel Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Irresistible butter pecan cupcakes deliver southern comfort in every delectable bite. Caramel drizzle adds luxurious sweetness, creating a dessert that promises pure indulgence for passionate bakers and dessert enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

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Flour and Dry Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoon salt

Main Ingredients:

• 0.5 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 0.5 cup whole milk
• 0.75 cup chopped pecans (toasted)

Caramel and Frosting Components:

• 0.5 cup caramel candies (or homemade caramel sauce)
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 0.5 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter (softened)
• 0.25 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk or cream
• 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.25 cup chopped pecans (optional for topping)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by setting the temperature to 350F (175C) and arranging cupcake liners in a 12-cup muffin tin.
2. Craft the cupcake base by combining flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing vessel.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, whip softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a fluffy foundation.
4. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, ensuring thorough blending after each addition. Infuse vanilla extract for enhanced flavor complexity.
5. Gradually integrate dry ingredients with the butter mixture, alternating with milk. Gently fold in toasted pecans to distribute evenly throughout the batter.
6. Distribute batter uniformly across cupcake liners, filling each approximately two-thirds full.
7. Bake for 18-22 minutes, monitoring until a testing skewer emerges clean when inserted into the cupcake center. Allow cupcakes to cool completely before embellishing.
8. Create the frosting by melting butter in a saucepan, then introducing brown sugar. Cook for 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat and allow slight cooling.
9. Whip the brown sugar-butter blend with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until achieving a smooth, luxurious consistency.
10. Prepare caramel sauce by gently melting caramel candies with heavy cream over low heat, stirring consistently until achieving a silky, pourable texture.
11. Embellish cooled cupcakes by spreading or piping the butter pecan frosting with artistic precision.
12. Finalize the presentation by drizzling melted caramel and garnishing with additional chopped pecans for textural contrast.

Notes

• Toast pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and create a deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother batter and better incorporation of ingredients.
• Use high-quality caramel candies or consider making homemade caramel sauce for a more luxurious finish.
• Adjust sweetness by reducing brown sugar slightly if you prefer less sweet desserts or are watching sugar intake.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 335
• Sugar: 26 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg