Chocolate Caramel Popcorn

As the old saying goes, it's the well-meaning thought of caramel corn that counts. (Trust me- it totally goes like that). I swear friends and co-workers- I did not intend to make 8 cups of caramel for the sole purpose of eating it all while getting caught up on American Horror Story.  I promise I meant to share. I'm just weak.

 It was just sitting there. All alone. On the counter of a girl with no will-power and a full Hulu queue. It's a recipe for a delicious disaster.

And don't stress out about making a caramel from scratch.  I promise you can't screw this one up. And you don't even need a candy thermometer.

Candy Bar Cupcakes - Snickers

Of all the multitudes of cookies and brownies and cupcakes that I’ve made over the years, there’s one treat that my friends CONSTANTLY request that I make.  Whenever I show up with these in hands, it’s a literal “clear the room- Sarah has arrived with THE CUPCAKES”.

People flip over these Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes. I figured since they are such a hit, why not try it with other candy bars.

First up- Snickers.  Sweet caramel with salty peanuts covered in chocolate.  I can totes get on board with that.

I’ve been experimenting a bit with my chocolate cake recipes, trying to find the perfect one.  This one had a fantastic chocolate flavor without being super sweet which held up great to the over-the-top salted caramel buttercream.  Don’t be scared when your batter is really watery, it’s supposed to be like that.  Or just don’t worry about it and by all means, hit up Duncan Hines for a boxed mix :) 

Molten Caramel Brownie Cookies

Hello. My name is Sarah and I'm an addict.  I, like every other food/fashion/DYI blogger out there, am OBSESSED with Pinterest.  This site is seriously the bee's knees.  

 

I have boards for recipes I want to try and DYI projects I'd love to attempt and photography tips and quotes I love and the list goes on.  However, I spend all this time adding to my boards that I rarely actually DO any of them.

This molten caramel chocolate lava cake was one of the very first things I pinned.  I was so excited to make it. Who wouldn't love warm, ooey-gooey caramel and chocolate? So what happened? And it sat there. And sat there. And sat there, sadly forgotten about.  I mean, how often does the occasion for making decadent individual cakes come into my life?

 

But then I became brilliant.  Make it a cookie! And so I did. I made fudgy, chewy brownie cookies stuffed with a Dove caramel.  And it was awesome. Pure heaven.

P.S. There are caramel blow-outs in heaven.  Don't worry- they're delicious.

Salted Caramel Mocha Brownie Cups

I’d like to toot my own horn if you don’t mind, so excuse me for a second while I go be a jerk....

Toot! Toot!

Ok- now that I got that silliness out of the way, how about some cupcakes?! Or rather- how about some awesome, rock your face off your face, brownie cupcakes? (Hence the tooting of the horn ;)

However, I must warn you.  These are not your average, run-of-the-mill, friendly cupcakes.

No- these cupcakes are deadly to any diet, waistline, or diabetic.  These cupcakes are so sweet they might even make your teeth hurt.  And Don’t. Even. Think. about having them without of cold glass of milk by your side.  You’ll immediately regret your decision (Yes, is this case- milk was a good choice).

But if I haven’t scared you away yet, you should get on these right away.  They make everyone your friend- I promise.  People will love you and you’ll become the coolest kid in school.  Trust me- I’ve seen it happen.



Because these things are spectacular- Caramel-filled Mocha Brownies topped with a Salted Caramel Buttercream and a Caramel Drizzle.  You ready for this?  So here’s what we do….



Adapted from this recipe

What You’ll Need:

For the Brownie Cups-

1 2/3 cups Sugar

3/4 cup Cocoa Powder

1 1/3 cup AP Flour

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1/4 tsp Salt

4 tsp Instant Coffee Granules

3/4 cup Melted Butter

2 Eggs

2 tsp Vanilla Extract

1/4 cup Milk

Caramel Hershey Kisses

For the Salted Caramel Buttercream-

1 cup Butter (room temp)

1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

1/2 cup Caramel Ice Cream Topping

1 tsp Sea Salt

4 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar

1-2 tsp Milk

What To Do:

1.       Preheat oven to 350.  In a large mixing bowl, add the sugar, cocoa, flour, baking powder, salt, and coffee granules and mix together with wooden spoon.  Then add the melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and milk.  Beat until fully incorporated- it’ll be a thick batter.  If you feel it’s too thick, add a few more Tbsp of milk.

2.       Line a cupcake tin with liners and fill cups ¾ full (you’ll have enough batter for 15-18 cupcakes).  Bake for 20-24 minutes.  Once you pull the pan out of the oven, allow to cool for about a minute and then insert a caramel kiss into the center of each brownie cup, pointed end first.  Allow to cool for another 3-5 minutes and then transfer to wire rack.

3.       While the brownies cool, whip of the salted caramel buttercream.  Stir salt into caramel and set aside.  Beat together butter and vanilla alone for several minutes until good and creamy.  Then add the powdered sugar.  It’ll be VERY THICK and might not even come together fully- don’t worry about this.  Beat for several more minutes, trying to get all the clumps of sugar out.  Then add the salted caramel and beat again.  If it’s too thick (but you want it to have body so it’ll pipe nicely), add a bit of milk, but a little at a time.  Ensure it’s all whipped completely

4.       Pipe onto completely cooled cupcakes and finish with a caramel drizzle.

Girl Scout Cookies, Part Duex: Caramel de Lites

Chocolate.
Caramel.
Coconut.


Are you onboard yet, because you need to be.  How can you go wrong with homemade Girl Scout cookies? And while I may have rambled on incessantly about my love of these seasonal treats here, I forgot to mention one thing: 

In my world, only two types of Girl Scout cookies exist.  Thin Mints and Caramel de Lites.  The End.

I love you, but I'm sorry- If you think your Do-Si-Dos can hold a candle to mint chocolate goodness, you're wrong.  And don't even get me started on Shortbreads.  No chocolate. No caramel. No fun. 

I've honestly been waiting ALL week to get the chance to make these and now I can finally share it with you.   You ready for this- because its gonna be A.MAZ.ING.