Chocolate Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream

Cupcakes:

Recipe from: Chef in Training

You will need: 

- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa (sifted)

- 2 cups sugar

- 2 1/2 cups flour

- 2 teaspoons baking powder

- 1 teaspoon baking soda

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

- 1 cup hot water

- 1 cup buttermilk

- 2 eggs

- 1/2 cup vegetable oil

- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1. Line cupcake tins and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

2. In a small bowl, stir flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

3. Sift cocoa into a medium size bowl. Pour in the cup of hot water, and whisk until completely dissolved.

4. Add buttermilk, then add sugar, and whisk until combined.

5. Add eggs, oil, and vanilla. Mix again.

6. Take flour mixture and whisk until wet mixture. 

7. Stir in heavy cream until evenly mixed in. 

8. Pour batter into cupcake tins, and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. 

9. Let cupcakes cool completely. 

10. Chill in fridge for at least 30 minutes. 

Salted Caramel Buttercream:

Recipe from: Chef in Training

You will need: 

- 1/4 cup sugar

- 2 Tablespoons water

- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

- 1 teaspoon vanilla

- 1/2 cup butter (softened) 

- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

- 1 package Dream Whip (there were multiple packs in a box)

- 3 cups powdered sugar

1. In a saucepan, stir together sugar and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. 

2. Cook without stirring until it turns a deep amber color, about 9-10 minutes.

3. Remove from heat and slowly add cream, and vanilla. Stir until smooth. 

(Make sure to do this immediately after removing from heat)

4. Let the caramel cool for 20 minutes, it should be just barely warm and still pourable.

5. Beat butter and salt together with a mixer until light and fluffy.

6. Reduce mixer speed and add dry Dream Whip until combined.

7. Beat in powdered sugar, mix until combined. 

8. Scrape down the side of the bow, and add the caramel. 

7. Mix for about 2 minutes, until light and airy.  

8. Frost the cupcakes. 

This was my first time ever frosting cupcakes.. and it was so much fun! I will be doing it again, and hopefully they're prettier next time! ;) 

I brought these to a potluck at work on Tuesday, and they were a huge hit! Everyone raved about them. The Husband also took them to his work Wednesday, and they were loved there as well :) I think I'll stick with this chocolate cupcake recipe, it's delicious! The frosting was a little too rich for me, but I'm picky like that :p

These made me Pinspiration Project Queen! :)