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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by setting the temperature to 350F (175C) and arranging cupcake liners in a 12-cup muffin tin.
- Craft the cupcake base by combining flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing vessel.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, whip softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a fluffy foundation.
- Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, ensuring thorough blending after each addition. Infuse vanilla extract for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Gradually integrate dry ingredients with the butter mixture, alternating with milk. Gently fold in toasted pecans to distribute evenly throughout the batter.
- Distribute batter uniformly across cupcake liners, filling each approximately two-thirds full.
- 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.
- 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.
- Whip the brown sugar-butter blend with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until achieving a smooth, luxurious consistency.
- Prepare caramel sauce by gently melting caramel candies with heavy cream over low heat, stirring consistently until achieving a silky, pourable texture.
- Embellish cooled cupcakes by spreading or piping the butter pecan frosting with artistic precision.
- 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