Chocolate, Caramel, and Pecan Cupcakes

If turtle candies are your favorite find in a box of chocolates, try these rich cupcakes that incorporate all of the same flavors like caramel, pecans and cocoa.

Chocolate, Caramel, and Pecan Cupcakes
Photo: Karla Conrad
Prep Time:
20 mins
Stand Time:
30 mins
Bake Time:
16 mins
Cool Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
20 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
24 to 26 cupcakes

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup butter

  • 3 eggs

  • 2 cup all-purpose flour

  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 2 cup sugar

  • 2 teaspoon vanilla

  • 1 ½ cup milk

  • 12 chocolate turtle candies, such as DeMets brand, each cut in half

  • 1 recipe Ganache

  • cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted

  • Caramel-flavor ice cream topping (optional)

Chocolate Ganache

  • ½ cup whipping cream

  • 1 tablespoon butter

  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

  • 1 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate pieces

Directions

  1. Allow butter and eggs to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, line twenty-four to twenty-six 2 1/2-inch muffin cups with paper bake cups. In a medium bowl stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

  2. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Gradually add sugar, beating on medium speed until well mixed. Scrape sides of bowl. Beat for 2 minutes more. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined.

  3. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-fouths full. Place a candy half on top of batter in each cup.

  4. Bake for 16 to 18 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool cupcakes in muffin cups on wire racks for 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from muffin cups. Cool completely on wire racks.

  5. To serve, remove paper liners from cupcakes. Spread cupcakes with Ganache; sprinkle with pecans. If desired, drizzle with caramel ice cream topping.

Chocolate Ganache

  1. In a small heavy saucepan combine whipping cream, butter, and sugar. Bring just to boiling, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat. Place chocolate pieces in a medium mixing bowl. Pour hot cream mixture over chocolate; let stand for 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. Let cool to room temperature before using. Makes about 1-1/4 cups.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

339 Calories
19g Fat
41g Carbs
5g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 339
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 19g 24%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Cholesterol 59mg 20%
Sodium 163mg 7%
Total Carbohydrate 41g 15%
Total Sugars 25g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 0.6mg 3%
Calcium 101mg 8%
Iron 1.3mg 7%
Potassium 217mg 5%
Folate, total 28.2mcg
Vitamin B-12 0.2mcg
Vitamin B-6 0.1mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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