• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Joy the Baker
Joy the Baker
  • Cookies
  • Bread
  • Cakes
  • Pies
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Cookies
    • Birthday Cake Recipes
    • Biscuits
    • Muffins
    • Cupcakes
    • Drinks
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Fruit
    • Nuts
    • Buttermilk
    • Chocolate
    • Vanilla
    • Holiday
    • Healthy
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegan
  • Blog
    • Baking 101
    • Tips
    • Beyond the Kitchen
    • Let It Be Sunday!
    • New Orleans
  • Camp Joy
Watch VideoRead CommentsLeave a Review

Dulce de Leche Cupcakes

February 27, 2011 by Joy the Baker 353 Comments

Jump to Recipe

Desktop23

Is it wrong to J-walk into church? …. because I do it just about every Sunday.

Is it wrong to curse at people on the road while driving to church?  Cause… maybe that’s happened once or twice.

On a scale of one to total jerk… how jerky is it for me to blatantly roll my eyes at the lady on the spin bike next to me who is flirting with the obviously married man on the other side of me?  Do I really need to be in the middle of this interaction? It’s 7 in the morning! Come on.  Please.

Oh!  And while we’re on the subject… if you take your shirt off during spin class and decide to just ride it out in your sports bra…. I’m going to try very very very hard not to label you as an attention-seeking-lady-exerciser.  Do not like.  We’re all hot and sweating lady…. keep you shirt on.  There should be a rule.  There’s gotta be a rule.

Also… exactly how much of this batter can I spoon in my mouth after spin class and before rushing off to J-walk into church?  That’s the real issue.  The answer?  About two cupcakes worth of batter… which may or may not lead to a belly ache.  Don’t do what I do… J-walk, curse, or roll your eyes at attention seeking, inappropriately flirty strangerladies.  Be a nice person instead.

Desktop23

I happen to love making cupcakes exactly 47 times better than I like to actually eat cupcakes (cupcake batter excluded).  Making individual cake treats is cathartic.  They all looks the same with slight differences and imperfections.  I love to line them up and take in their differences…. then cover them in frosting.

These cakes themselves are a brown sugar and buttermilk cake.  The addition of brown sugar mocks the dulce de leche flavors just slightly.  The cakes are more of a pound cake consistency and not so much a fluffy cake mix cupcake.  The frosting is a combination of three fine fats:  butter, cream cheese and dulce de leche.  Only the hideous addition of  sardines could make this frosting something other than delicious.

Wait… do you know what Dulde de leche is?  Dulce de leche is very similar to caramel.  It’s sweetened condensed milk that has been cooked down until the sugars have darkened to a rich caramel.  It’s sweet and thick and perfectly acceptable to bathe in.

Some people make their own dulce de leche by boiling a can of sweetened condensed milk…. literally, in the can.  While many have had success with this technique, I’m convinced that I would both injure an eye and burn my house down… so I just buy my dulce de leche.  I also really like the consistency of this particular caramel product.  It’s thick but still spreadable and works really well in my frosting.  ((I got this particular dulce de leche at Whole Foods… but you can totally find this La Salamandra product on Amazon))

I’m not saying you shouldn’t make your own… you look perfectly capable.  I’ve just never done it… so I’ll leave you to google and experiment with that whole thing on your own.  Go with God.  … and I love you.

Cake with cream cheese and caramel.  Please don’t make me twist your arm… just get on this.

You might also like to know that I made these Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookies.  If you’re going to get the jar… you might as well go hog wild.

 

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Dulce de Leche Cupcakes

★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆ No reviews
  • Author: Joy The Baker
  • Prep Time: 30 minute(s)
  • Cook Time: 20 minute(s)
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Cuisine: USA (General)
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Pin Recipe
Print Recipe

Description

Makes about 2 dozen cupcakes (a few more if you don’t eat a bunch of cupcake batter  like I did)

adapted from The Gourmet Cookbook


Ingredients

Scale

For the Cupcakes:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cornstarch

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3 large eggs

1 1/2 cup buttermilk

For the Frosting:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup dulce de leche, plus more for drizzling

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 to 3 cups powdered sugar


Instructions

Place racks in the center and upper third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.  Line two cupcake pans with paper or foil liners.  Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add butter and sugars.  Beat on medium speed until fluffy and pale brown, about 3 minutes.   Stop the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl and add one egg.  Beat on medium for one minute.  Add the remaining eggs, one at a time, beating for one minute between each addition.  Stop the bowl and scrape down the sides as necessary. Beat in vanilla extract.

Add half of the flour mixture to the egg and butter mixture.  Beat on low speed and slowly drizzle in the buttermilk.  Beat until just incorporated.  Stop the mixer, scrape down the bowl and add the rest of the dry ingredients.  Beat on low speed until just incorporated.  Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and finish incorporating with a spatula.  Try not to over mix the mixture.

Divide the batter between the prepared cupcake pans, filling each liner about two thirds full.  Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center of one of the cakes comes out clean.  Let rest in the cupcake pans before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.  Cupcakes should be completely cooled before frosting.

To make the frosting:

Place cream cheese in the bowl of an electric stand mixer.  Beat on medium speed for about 30 seconds, until very soft and pliable.  Stop the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the butter and dulce de leche.  Beat on medium speed until well incorporated.  Stop the mixer and add the salt and powdered sugar.  Beat on medium speed for about 3 minutes, until fluffy and lighter in color.  Generously spoon frosting on top of cupcakes, or use a large frosting tip to pipe on frosting.

For garnish, I heated a few spoonfuls of dulce de leche of a low flame until just pourable.  Then I drizzled it over the cupcakes and topped with a few sprinkles.  Add a few sprinkles of fine sea salt if you’re feeling fancy.  I stored the cupcakes in the fridge for an hour to chill the frosting slightly.

I like to enjoy my cupcakes within two days of preparing them.  Feel free to wrap and refrigerate them because of the cream cheese in the frosting.  Let come close to room temperature before serving.


Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Previous PostNext Post

Categories: Buttermilk, Cupcakes, Recipes

Previous Post: « Lemon Cornmeal Breakfast Cake
Next Post: Soft Vegan Ginger Cookies »

Reader Interactions

All Comments
I Made This
Questions
  1. Chance Cook

    September 13, 2021 at 8:43 am

    I have never had dulce de leche. So knowing that is it is similar to caramel helps me imagine how it would taste. Better yet, it helps me determine how it can be used in a recipe.

    Reply
  2. Jacqueline

    March 15, 2016 at 12:59 pm

    Question! I know this was posted a long time ago, but I stumbled upon this recipe today and I am going to make it for a friend. Have you put dulce de leche in the cupcake batter before? Thank you!!

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      May 24, 2016 at 12:56 pm

      No, but it sounds delicious!

      Reply
« Older Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

RELATED POSTS IN Buttermilk

close up of strawberry shortcake recipe with soft whipped cream
Dad’s Biscuits Make The Best Shortcake

The best strawberry shortcake recipe must start with the perfect biscuit.  Tall and golden brown, flaky but cakey and more sweet than salty.  My dad’s *chef’s kiss* biscuit recipe is the perfect base for this classic summer dessert! Can I be the first to admit that this summer hasn’t been my absolute favorite thus far?…

Read More

Sliced Texas Sheet Cake in a pan.
Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

For the past few, oh I dunno…. decades the only real question for family gatherings is: who is going to make the Texas Sheet Cake? It’s goes without saying that this unassuming, pecan studded cake will be sliced up at the end of every family celebration. As sure as the sun will rise, ya know?…

Read More

Slice of chocolate cake with chocolate frosting on a plate with a fork.
Everybody’s Birthday Cake – Chocolate Peanut Butter

What’s your go-to birthday cake? I’m taking a wild guess and crossing my fingers that it’s the best chocolate birthday cake with chocolate frosting. My dream cake? Literally any cake someone else bakes for me, amen. Though if they happen to bake an angel food cake topped with mountains of fresh raspberry whipped cream that…

Read More

Primary Sidebar

Fresh baked emails, delivered to your inbox

Jump to Recipe

Receive recipes from Joy the Baker and updates on events at The Bakehouse.

HI! I’M JOY!

Jump to Recipe

Welcome! This has been my little corner of the internet since 2008!

I’m a baker, photographer, cookbook author and teacher.  I live laugh love in New Orleans. 

MORE ABOUT JOY AND THE TEAM

BOOKS + Magazines

Jump to Recipe

2023 CAMP JOY SUMMER ZINE – get it here!

JOY THE BAKER 2022 SUMMER MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2021 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2020 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

HOMEMADE DECADENCE

OVER EASY: SWEET AND SAVORY RECIPES FOR LEISURELY DAYS COOKBOOK

JOY THE BAKER COOKBOOK

MY FAVORITE CAMPING GEAR

Jump to Recipe

SHOP MY FAVORITE GEAR HERE! 

Jump to Recipe
joy the baker on facebook joy the baker on twitter pinterest-social instagram-socialbloglovin-social

DRAKE ON CAKE

Jump to Recipe

Passionate from miles away since 2015.

CHECK IT OUT ON INSTAGRAM

Drake on cake instagram.

 

BREADS YOU’LL LOVE

Apple Butter and Cream Cheese Kolaches

close up of strawberry shortcake recipe with soft whipped cream

Dad’s Biscuits Make The Best Shortcake

jambalaya buttermilk biscuits in a row

Smoked Sausage Jambalaya Buttermilk Biscuits

LET’S MAKE COOKIES!

Candy Corn and Salted Peanut Rice Krispie Treats

a stack of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies with a bite taken out of the top one with milk

Classic White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

wider shot of lemon bars stacked on a plate with a bite taken out of one lemon bar

My Favorite Classic Lemon Bars Recipe

Footer

Instagram

joythebaker

📚Baker, author of books, lover of butter
🎂Creator @drakeoncake
📝Inquiries megan@underscoretalent.com

joythebaker
I just love that each one of these Eggnog Iced Oat I just love that each one of these Eggnog Iced Oatmeal Cookies looks like a moon 🌖🌗🌘 in a solar system of holiday cookies. ✨ I’ll leave the full recipe for these beauties linked in the bio!
I made @wyseguide’s Sausage Stuffed Dates and I’m never going back. ✨ This is your holiday appetizer - the full recipe is linked in my bio!
💖🎄Raspberry Lemon Linzer Cookies🎄💖✨⁣
⁣
On a steady diet of holiday cookies starting now. Full recipe for these gems linked in the bio! Xo
Making a case of 🧀🧀🧀 in pie crust because Making a case of 🧀🧀🧀 in pie crust because salty sweet is my favorite 🍎🍎🍎 pie! 
Apple Cheddar Pandowdy recipe linked in the profile.
T minus three days until we eat the most important T minus three days until we eat the most important pie of the year! Dad’s Sweet Potato Pie. There’s no more perfectly spiced pie! If you know you know and if you don’t? I’ll leave the recipe linked in the bio!
Friends! Here’s the easiest, most roasty toasty Friends! Here’s the easiest, most roasty toasty Friendsgiving appetizer: Toasted Marshmallow Sweet Potato Bites and, our secret ingredient:  @bluemoonbrewingco’s Pin Pint Seasoning.  This Thanksgiving seasoning brings a hint of sweetness, citrus, and hops to the roasted sweet potatoes layered between butter crackers and toasted marshmallows.  They’re a perfect salty-sweet bite! ⁣
⁣
#ad #21+ #BlueMoonSeasonings⁣
⁣
Here’s what you’ll need to make them: ⁣
-	Sweet potatoes, peeled, sliced ½-inch thick and cut into 1 ¾-inch rounds using a sharp cookie cutter⁣
-	Olive oil⁣
-	A generous sprinkle of Blue Moon Brewing Co’s Pie Pint Seasoning⁣
-	A sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice and ground coriander⁣
-	A generous sprinkle of flaky sea salt⁣
-	Round butter crackers (like Ritz)⁣
-	Large marshmallows, cut in half⁣
⁣
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.  Arrange sweet potato rounds on a parchment lined baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.  Toss to coat. ⁣
⁣
Sprinkle generously with Pie Pint Seasoning, pumpkin pie spice, coriander, and sea salt.  Roast until tender, flipping once through baking – about 20 minutes. ⁣
⁣
Remove from the oven and, once cool enough to handle, layer each sweet potato round on a butter cracker on an unlined baking sheet.  Top each with half a marshmallow. ⁣
⁣
Set the oven to broil and place the bites under the broiler.  Keep a very close eye on the marshmallows as they’ll burn in literal seconds.  Remove from the oven and enjoy warm or at room temperature with a Blue Moon Belgian White Wheat Ale, of course!
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Joy the Baker
All rights reserved. Violators will be whupped and sent to bed with no dessert · Privacy Policy

Scroll Up