These Chocolate Cupcakes with caramel filling are too delicious to pass up - so grab a napkin and bite into one! The cupcakes consist of a dark chocolate cake, a gooey caramel center and a rich fudge topping.
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What I like about this recipe
Filled cupcakes offer an unexpected surprise when bitten into. Additionally, filling cupcakes adds to the texture of what could otherwise be a boring cupcake. The soft caramel filling and fudgy icing make this treat extra special.
Ingredients
This recipe requires a few more ingredients than your 'standard' cupcake. You will need:
For the cupcake and filling:
- All-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder and salt
- Eggs
- Canola or vegetable oil
- Brewed coffee (cooled). You may use water in place of the coffee if preferred.
- Caramel filling: you may make your own or purchase a brand you like.
For the fudge icing:
- Bittersweet chocolate
- Unsalted butter
- Light corn syrup
- Heavy cream
The fudge icing will require an hour or two to set-up before you can pipe with it. I usually make my icing before baking the cupcake. It will then be ready when it is time to assemble the cupcakes.
How to fill a cupcake
There are many ways to fill a cupcake but my favorite is to use an apple corer. Simply insert the corer three-quarters of the way into the baked cupcake, twist and pull out the center. You will have a decent size hole to pipe or spoon the caramel into.
I like to use a caramel sauce to fill the cupcakes, but if preferred, you can use a thicker caramel.
FAQs
Can I fill the cupcakes with another flavor?
I hope you enjoy these caramel filled cupcakes as much as my family and friends do!
📋 Recipe
Chocolate Cupcakes with Caramel Filling Recipe
Equipment
- Hand Mixer or
- Cupcake Pans recipe makes 24 cupcakes
- Cupcake Liners
- Bowls, measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
Chocolate Cupcakes
- ¾ Cup Cocoa Powder Use a combination of dark cocoa powder and regular cocoa powder for a richer chocolate taste and appearance.
- 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
- 2 Cups Granulated Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Corn Starch
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
- ¾ Cup Vegetable or Canola Oil
- 4 Large Eggs Room temperature
- 1 ¼ Cup Brewed Coffee May substitute water
Fudge Icing
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream
- ¼ Cup Light Corn Syrup
- 12 Ounces Bittersweet Chocolate, chopped into chunks
- 6 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, room temperature
Caramel
- ½ Cup Caramel Sauce, store bought or homemade (½ cup)
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350℉
- Line the cupcake pans with liners.
- Combine flour, cocoa powder, sugar, cornstarch, salt, baking powder and baking soda in the bowl of a stand mixer. If mixing by hand or with a hand mixer, combine ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
- Add oil and eggs. Mix until combined.
- Slowly pour brewed coffee into bowl while continuing to mix, scraping the bowl occasionally. The batter should be smooth.
- Scoop batter into the cupcake liners until ⅔ full.
- Bake for 18 - 20 minutes, or until cupcakes are fully risen and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cupcakes comes out clean.
- Place cupcakes on a rack and allow to cool completely before filling and icing.
Fudge Icing
- Place the chocolate in a bowl.
- Combine cream and corn syrup and bring to a boil.
- Pour cream/corn syrup over chocolate.
- Let stand 2 – 3 minutes, then whisk until smooth.
- Add softened butter and stir until smooth.
- Allow the icing to sit at room temperature and cool until it is firm enough to spread or pipe.
Cupcake Assembly
- Place an apple corer in the middle of each cupcake, press down about halfway into the cupcake, twist and remove the core of the cupcake.
- Fill the hollowed center of the cupcake with caramel sauce.
- Spread the fudge frosting over the cupcake or pipe onto the cupcake using a piping tip of your choice. Optional: drizzle caramel over fudge frosting.
Video
Beth says
I'm in love with these cupcakes! They're so moist and tender, and chocolate and caramel is a classic combination.
Katherine McLee says
These look amazing! An apple corer to get the centre of the cupcake out is genius!
Stephanie says
Oh my goodness, these cupcakes are a sweet tooth's dream! Such a delicious combination of flavors in one cupcake.