Dive into Deliciousness: Baking Gooey Caramel Muffins at Home

Caramel and muffins – a match made in baking heaven! Imagine fluffy, tender muffins bursting with pockets of rich, gooey caramel. Sounds irresistible, right? Well, it’s easier than you think to whip up a batch of these delightful treats in your own kitchen. Follow this step-by-step guide and soon your home will be filled with the intoxicating aroma of baking caramel magic.

Ingredients:

For the muffins:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup milk (you can substitute buttermilk for added tang)
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the caramel filling:

• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a muffin tin with 12 paper liners.
2. Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large bowl: flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: egg, milk, oil, and vanilla extract.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Don’t overmix, or your muffins will be tough.
5. Prepare the caramel filling: In a small saucepan, melt the brown sugar over medium heat, swirling the pan occasionally to prevent burning. Once melted, stir in the butter until fully incorporated. Then, carefully add the heavy cream and continue stirring until smooth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1 minute, then remove from heat and stir in the sea salt.
6. Fill each muffin liner with about 2 tablespoons of batter. Add a spoonful of the warm caramel filling on top of the batter in the center of each muffin. Add another 1-2 tablespoons of batter on top, making sure to cover the caramel.
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the muffins cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips:

• For an extra caramel punch, drizzle the tops of the cooled muffins with some additional caramel sauce.
• Sprinkle the tops with chopped nuts, a pinch of sea salt, or a drizzle of chocolate for added flavor and texture.
• If you don’t have heavy cream, you can substitute with milk. However, the caramel filling will be slightly less rich.
• You can also use store-bought caramel squares instead of making your own filling. Just unwrap them and place one in the center of each muffin before adding the batter.

Now go forth and conquer the art of baking caramel muffins! Share your creations with friends and family, and witness the joy that gooey, caramel-filled goodness brings. Happy baking!