| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 1 hr 10 min |
| Active: | 30 min |
| Yield: | 12 cupcakes |
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/3 cup whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Pinch salt
- 1 cup cashews
- 1 1/4 cups cake flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 3 1/3 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Grated orange zest, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F; line a cupcake pan with 12 cupcake liners.
- For the caramel sauce: In a small, heavy saucepan, mix together the brown sugar, cream, vanilla and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and browns. Set aside to cool. Reserve 1/4 cup for the cake batter and 1/2 cup for the frosting; set aside the rest for drizzling on top of the cupcakes.
- For the cake batter: On an ungreased baking sheet, roast the cashews for 5 minutes; cool and chop into pieces. Reserve 1/4 cup for the batter and set aside the rest for garnishing the cupcakes.
- Sift together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Add the buttermilk, oil, orange zest, vanilla extract, eggs and the reserved 1/4 cup caramel sauce and 1/4 cup chopped cashews. Mix until smooth and completely combined.
- Pour the batter into the cupcake liners and bake until golden brown and risen, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting.
- For the caramel frosting: In a medium mixing bowl using an electric mixer, cream the butter. Add the confectioners’ sugar 1/4 cup at a time and mix until completely smooth. Add in the vanilla extract and reserved 1/2 cup caramel sauce and mix until combined.
- To assemble: Frost each cupcake with some of the caramel frosting. Drizzle the remaining caramel over the top of each cupcake and sprinkle with the remaining chopped cashews. Sprinkle with orange zest to taste. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 12 servings |
| Calories | 628 |
| Total Fat | 43 g |
| Saturated Fat | 19 g |
| Carbohydrates | 58 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 44 g |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Cholesterol | 106 mg |
| Sodium | 242 mg |
Reviews
I have made this recipe twice, and on second bake, this cupcake is phenomenal! (Recipe made as written) Just a note, make sure you don’t fill the cups too full 🙂 Wonderful cashew flavor!