Description
These Churro Caramel Crunch Cupcakes combine the cinnamon sugar flavor of churros with a gooey caramel center and fluffy caramel cinnamon buttercream. Topped with a crunchy churro-inspired topping, these cupcakes are the ultimate indulgence, perfect for parties, holidays, and weekend baking. A must-try dessert for churro and caramel lovers alike!
Ingredients
For the Churro Cupcakes:
1½ cups All-Purpose Flour
1½ tsp Baking Powder
½ tsp Ground Cinnamon
¼ tsp Salt
½ cup Unsalted Butter (softened)
¾ cup Granulated Sugar
2 large Eggs
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
½ cup Whole Milk
For the Caramel Filling:
½ cup Thick Caramel Sauce or Dulce de Leche
For the Cinnamon Caramel Buttercream:
½ cup Unsalted Butter (softened)
½ cup Caramel Sauce
2–2½ cups Powdered Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
½ tsp Ground Cinnamon
1–2 tbsp Milk or Cream (for consistency)
For the Crunch Topping:
¼ cup Crushed Churros or Cinnamon Sugar Graham Crackers
1 tbsp Brown Sugar
1 tbsp Melted Butter
Optional: Pinch of Sea Salt
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
In another bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
Gradually add the dry ingredients, alternating with the milk, mixing until smooth.
Divide the batter evenly into the cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Allow cupcakes to cool completely before filling and frosting.
For the caramel filling, create a small hole in the center of each cupcake and spoon in the caramel sauce or dulce de leche.
For the buttercream, beat softened butter and caramel sauce until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and milk to achieve your desired frosting consistency.
Frost each cupcake with the caramel cinnamon buttercream.
For the topping, mix the crushed churros or graham crackers with brown sugar, melted butter, and a pinch of sea salt. Sprinkle over the frosted cupcakes for crunch.
Notes
“For a salted caramel twist, use salted caramel sauce and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.”
“To make these cupcakes ahead of time, bake and fill them a day in advance. Frost just before serving.”
“If your buttercream is too soft, add extra powdered sugar to thicken it.”
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired, American
