I feel kind of ashamed, showing you this. It proves many things about me. First, it proves that I'm a slob in the kitchen. Second, it proves that I really have the ugliest muffin pan ever. (You may remember my previous shame, in this post.) Third, it proves that I still feel compelled to take a million photographs and share nearly all of them with you. Regardless of the consequences. I'm sort of a devil-may-care girl.
Okay, I'm actually not, it just sounded really tough in the moment. I get caught up in moments. Like when I just made these cupcakes and discovered that I don't currently own will-power. None. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Zeroooooo.
I want to suck you in too, so I don't feel so bad about my non-existent will-power. Please join me. Let's make this "National Cupcake Eating Day." All in favor say "aye."
I didn't wait for the votes to come in. Sorry. First, go and bake yourself a batch of chocolate cupcakes. I used a boxed mix (shhhh.) because my house is for sale and I don't care about cooking/baking/cleaning/impressing anymore. (Pictured, first bite.) You could be really daring and plop an unwrapped caramel into the batter. (Dang. Why didn't I think of that last night?) Incidentally, this glaze works nicely on ice cream. Or the back of a spoon, at ten o'clock at night. What? I admitted that will-power ceases once you make this. Also, on a side note, my pastor is preaching about self-discipline this weekend. So I'd better hurry up and eat these before he blasts me. Heh, heh.
Last bite. Now you want to know how to make the Salted Caramel Glaze, don't you? I'm going to post the recipe in full at the bottom. And you've been warned. Go for a run or something, before making this.
And then you too, can own a slice of the zero will-power pie.
This is the point when I shoved the camera into Ava's face and said, "Smile if you love the cupcake." And she looked at me like, "Mama, get that camera out of my face... I love the cupcake, yada, yada, yada. Happy now?" My answer to that, was snapping seven more photos. Don't mess with the Mama! (Apparently, cupcakes make me feisty. Or perhaps it's just the sugar high...)
JJ said, "You can take one of me, Mama!" Such precious enthusiasm...
Two children.
Two completely opposite personalities.
But one cupcake to bind them all. (I'm sorry, I just finished watching a Lord of the Rings movie the other day and it sticks with you for a few, ya know?)
Gulp!
Salted Caramel Cupcake Glaze: (makes one delicious, irresistible cup)
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 tsp sea salt
*Melt butter in saucepan. Add sugars and bring to boiling, stirring constantly. Stir in whipping cream and bring back to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in salt. Cool completely, otherwise it will run all over your cupcake, down your arm, and your dog won't leave you alone all night. Plus, you'll just feel sticky and nobody likes that. Slather on top of your cooled cupcakes and EAT!
And if you want a thicker consistency, rather than a glaze, pop it into the fridge and it will harden slightly. Then you can dig your spoon into it. Which may or may not be a good thing.
And if you want a thicker consistency, rather than a glaze, pop it into the fridge and it will harden slightly. Then you can dig your spoon into it. Which may or may not be a good thing.

hello! that icing looked perfect...i so need me some cupcakes. i am EXHAUSTED and need LMM to come back up a storm in my kitchen
ReplyDeleteOh my soul! (yes that IS my favorite phrase these days ::snort::)
ReplyDeleteTHOSE look like manna from Heaven!
Mmmmmm.....I'm hungry now!
Oh you people of evil torturous cupcake doom! I'm supposed to be watching what I eat! Not eating while I watch! *drool drool drool*
ReplyDeleteGirl I have little tears in the corner of my eyes right now. I LOVE salted caramel! I mean LOVE. Those looked sooooo amazing. I am trying to clean up my diet again. Too many cheat days. But once I'm solid on track again and needing a break day I'm whipping out this recipe. Sounds pretty easy too!
ReplyDeleteI gook baker never has clean baking pans!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you posted this after my mother left-I just made gluten free chocolate cupcakes the other day when she was here...She had a hard time staying away from them (liked them better then gluten filled cupcakes.) Anyhoo mom's favorite food group is caramel-There would have been no resisting a second, third or fourth with this topping!
Thanks for posting the recipe!
Robin~♥
You're killin' me!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my word. I think I'm in love. But I'm not sure if it's with you for posting this recipe or what that first cupcake photo.
ReplyDeleteI love you and I hate you. That looks fantastic and I adore salted caramel. Love!
ReplyDeleteCaramel is my all time favorite and now you gave me another naughty treat to make.....thanks sweety.
ReplyDeleteSalt and icing? Well I'll be... :)
ReplyDeleteI am not a huge cupcake fan, but if I have a craving I will remember your recipe.
YUM! I have to grab a napkin to clean the drool I now have...those look so good.
ReplyDeleteYou got my vote for National Cupcake Day!
ReplyDeleteSash..I could beat you on the nasty looking cupcake tins..honestly mine look like they came from my great great grandma..wait..they did!
ReplyDeleteIn fact tomorrow I am baking some for Carrie's kiddos, she is at work all night and the kids begin school tomorrow, so I promised I'd make a snack for after school..My new mission in life!
Think I am going to try the carmel icing recipe! Looks yummy!
Great Scott ~ There is NO actual Carmel in the icing!! ?? What? =)
ReplyDeleteI just read something about a National cupcake day in August... I swear!!! the question is... what it real? and then ... where... where did I read it?? =)
Frog and Toad didn't have Will power either... and we all love them right?! That's my theory!!
I think you should come down to Portland and make me some of those there cupcakes!!! :)
ReplyDeleteYou crack me up! As does the look on your sweet girl's face when you told her to smile. Now I need a salted caramel cupcake stat. Yummmmm!
ReplyDeleteWow that sounds delicious! And Fallish too...wonder how that would be with spice cake?? Ok, it's WAY too early for me to be thinking such things...I haven't even had breakfast yet! Happy Tuesday to you LMM!
ReplyDeleteI made a salted caramel cupcake recently where you shot the salted carmel straight into a piping hot chocolate cupcake - delicious!
ReplyDeleteOH!!! You should be really ashamed of yourself for teasing us like that but not mailing every single one of us a batch - especially those of us who are not well enough to get up and bake some this very minute! :*( Waaahhhh! I want a Salted Caramel Cupcake!! Although, I must admit the 'salted' part sounds kinda weird. I'll have to really check out that recipe. Maybe I can bribe my daughters into trying to make some so I can try them. Hmmm.....
ReplyDeleteI hope you are doing well. I haven't seen you in FOREVER! What have you been doing with yourself? I'll have to come back and read some more soon.
{{HUGS}}
Teresa <><
salted caramel is my latest addiction. but seriously, i just picked the blackberries today and I'm making the cobbler tomorrow and my trunk already has enough junk. tomorrow I think you should post on steamed carrots or broccoli or something...
ReplyDeleteI am SO going to make these, even if I gain 10 pounds.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
-FringeGirl
I made some amazing brownies for the chocolate portion of this recipe. Unfortunately I must have made an oopsie! Because mine came out like sauce...runny runny sauce. It tasted good but it wasn't even sticky enough to attract a fly..lol I don't know what that means... so tomorrow I will attempt it again!
ReplyDeleteWish me luck!
Yum, yum and yum!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah.....there are NO calories in those, right?
ReplyDelete{crickets}
Right?
yum diddy yum yum yum!
ReplyDeletea gf just told me she needs some baked therapy - this will do the trick!
Just clicked over from someone? who was linking to your cupcakes---can't wait to try them---like in less than an hour!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recipe and can't wait to read more.
blessings,
edie
I am so making these...
ReplyDeleteI just found out that Starbucks has a Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. I think I will need to do some taste testing in the very near future. Amen?
ReplyDeletePerfect! It's my birthday tomorrow... I know what I'm baking for dessert!! :)
ReplyDeleteYUMMY!! I wish you had Facebook "like" and "share" buttons on here. I've been in the mood for something chocolate and I think I found my next treat! Thanks a bunch.
ReplyDeleteOh my GOSH! That looks and sounds fantastic. I don't think I can wait until August...National Cupcake Day needs to be a semi-annual event so we're having one tomorrow. With salted caramel whatsis.
ReplyDeleteSuch fantastic pictures, too!!!!
A little late finding you, but what the heck I FOUND YOU! Love your blog and will be making the Salted Caramel glaze for my next batch of cakepops. I have been experimenting and must take a bite myself, you hooked me with the devilicious photo.
ReplyDelete