RECIPE: Chocolate Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Ganache

Indulge in the ultimate chocolate & caramel lover's dream with this decadent Chocolate Cupcake recipe topped with a luscious Salted Caramel Ganache! We’ll be making the ganache from scratch using our our *NEW* Sweet Shoppe Salted Caramel Melting Wafers!

Moist chocolate cake topped with a decadent salted caramel ganache to create a dessert that's sure to impress! 

Let's dive into the recipe & create this chocolate masterpiece!

Ingredients:

For the Chocolate Cupcakes:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 & 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 & 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot water

For the Salted Caramel Ganache:

• 1.5 lbs  of Sweet Shoppe Salted Caramel Melting Wafers
• 1 cup heavy cream
  Sea salt flakes, for garnish (optional)
• Eleven o’one Salted Caramel Flakes, (optional)

Instructions:

For the Chocolate Cupcakes:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a cupcake pan with liners.
2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, & salt.
3. Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, & vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until well combined.
4. Gradually add the hot water to the batter, stirring until smooth. The batter will be thin, but that's okay.
5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cupcake liners, filling them halfway.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Remove the pans from the oven & let the cupcakes cool completely.

For the Salted Caramel Ganache:

1. In a heatproof bowl, combine the Sweet Shoppe Salted Caramel Melting Wafers & heavy cream.
2. Microwave the mixture in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the wafers are completely melted & the ganache is smooth. About 2 or 3 total intervals.
3. Let the ganache cool for a few minutes to thicken slightly.
4. Take ½ of the ganache & transfer it to a glass bowl & refrigerate for 10 minutes to make a thicker consistency for the filling. 

Decorate:

1. Once the cupcakes have cooled, it's time to decorate them!
2. Grab your thicker caramel ganache & using a piping bag, top each cupake with firm caramel ganache as if it were frosting.
3. With your thinner ganache, pour it in a squeeze bottle or use a spoon, create drops or drizzle on the top edge of your piped cupcakes.
4. If desired, sprinkle sea salt flakes or our eleven o’one Salted Caramel Flakes over the caramel ganache for an extra burst of flavor.
5. Unwrap your Salted Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes, & enjoy every rich & decadent bite!

Perfect for special occasions or simply satisfying your chocolate cravings, these cupcakes  are sure to be showstoppers!