Today, our friends the P's hosted the loveliest birthday party for their sweet baby girl who turned one on Wednesday. L made four different types of cupcakes: traditional vanilla, orange marmalade, Mississippi Mud Pie, and my favorite salted caramel-chocolate cupcakes. They were beyond delicious. If I had to name my favorite things, cupcakes would certainly be among them. But, cupcakes with chocolate and caramel with the hint of salt. WOW!!! They were heavenly!

Salted Caramel-Chocolate Cupcakes

Yield: Makes 6 dozen miniature cupcakes

***Click on the link for the caramel buttercream to find the recipe!!

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (8-oz.) container sour cream
8 ounces chopped semisweet chocolate
1/4 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons whipping cream
Salted Caramel Buttercream
Garnishes: sea salt flakes and caramels, cut into quarters

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla.

2. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients. Gradually add to butter mixture alternately with sour cream, beating until blended. Spoon batter by rounded tablespoonfuls into lightly greased miniature muffin pans.

3. Bake at 350° for 13 to 15 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 5 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely (about 30 minutes).

4. Microwave semisweet chocolate and 1/4 cup whipping cream in a microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 minute, stirring at 30-second intervals. Whisk in 2 Tbsp. whipping cream until smooth. Dip tops of cupcakes in chocolate mixture, and let stand until chocolate is set (about 30 minutes). Pipe or spread Salted Caramel Buttercream onto cupcakes. Garnish, if desired.