Description
These Churro Caramel Crunch Cupcakes combine the warm, spicy flavors of cinnamon with rich caramel and a crunchy cereal topping, creating a delicious dessert that tastes like a festive churro in cupcake form. Moist and tender, topped with a luscious caramel drizzle and crispy cinnamon cereal, these cupcakes are perfect for parties or anytime you crave a sweet treat with a fun twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
Topping
- ½ cup crushed cinnamon cereal (like Cinnamon Toast Crunch)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners to prepare for baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon until evenly combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract to incorporate flare and aroma.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Mix in the sour cream and milk into the wet mixture until just combined, ensuring not to overmix.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to keep the batter light.
- Fold in Caramel: Carefully fold in ½ cup of caramel sauce, evenly distributing it without deflating the batter.
- Fill Cups: Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about ¾ full to allow room for rising.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove cupcakes from oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Decorate: Once cooled, top each cupcake with additional caramel drizzle and sprinkle generously with crushed cinnamon cereal to add a crunchy texture and extra cinnamon flavor.
Notes
- Use cupcake liners to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming and lighter texture.
- Do not overmix the batter once dry ingredients are added to avoid dense cupcakes.
- Allow cupcakes to cool completely before adding the caramel drizzle and cereal topping to prevent melting.
- You can substitute the cinnamon cereal with your favorite cinnamon-flavored cereal or crushed churros for variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
