Dulce de Leche Cupcakes: The Ultimate Indulgent Treat for Dessert Lovers
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
Description
Dulce de Leche Cupcakes are soft, fluffy, and filled with rich caramel flavor in every bite. These cupcakes are made with a tender vanilla base, generously filled and topped with luscious dulce de leche, and finished with a swirl of creamy frosting. Perfect for parties, celebrations, or whenever you’re craving a sweet, indulgent dessert. They’re easy to make but taste bakery-quality!
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup whole milk
Filling and Topping:
- 1 cup dulce de leche (store-bought or homemade)
Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons dulce de leche
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream (as needed for consistency)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the flour mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix until just combined.
- Bake: Divide batter evenly into cupcake liners, filling each about ⅔ full. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cupcakes cool completely.
- Fill Cupcakes: Using a small knife or piping tip, cut a small hole in the center of each cupcake. Fill each hole with about 1 teaspoon of dulce de leche.
- Make Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, dulce de leche, and vanilla. Beat until smooth and fluffy, adding heavy cream if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Frost & Decorate: Pipe or spread frosting over cupcakes. Drizzle with extra dulce de leche if desired.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days
Notes
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon to the cupcake batter.
- Use a piping bag to neatly fill the cupcakes with dulce de leche.
- These cupcakes pair beautifully with coffee or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- If you want to make them extra fancy, sprinkle with sea salt for a salted caramel twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Cuisine: Latin-inspired / American
Nutrition
- Calories: ~320 kcal
- Fat: ~16g
- Carbohydrates: ~42g
- Protein: ~3g
When you crave something sweet, rich, and undeniably special, dulce de leche cupcakes should be at the top of your baking list. These tender cupcakes bring together buttery vanilla cake with the velvety sweetness of caramelized milk, resulting in a dessert that feels both luxurious and comforting. Whether you’re planning a family gathering, baking for a holiday, or simply want to indulge your sweet tooth, these cupcakes promise to deliver irresistible flavor in every bite.
Although vanilla cupcakes or chocolate cupcakes often get the spotlight, dulce de leche cupcakes offer something unique. Thanks to their Latin American roots, they carry a cultural richness alongside their creamy caramel taste. Additionally, they’re endlessly versatile — easy enough for casual bakers, yet elegant enough to serve at celebrations. By the time you finish this guide, you’ll know exactly how to create these mouthwatering cupcakes from scratch — and you’ll have plenty of expert tips to ensure they turn out flawless.
Table of Contents
Why Dulce de Leche Cupcakes Deserve a Spot in Your Recipe Book
Although caramel cupcakes have their fans, dulce de leche cupcakes take caramel flavor further. This is because dulce de leche isn’t just caramel — it’s the result of slow-cooking milk and sugar until it thickens and darkens into a creamy, deeply flavored spread. Moreover, this process creates subtle notes of butterscotch and toasted milk, giving these cupcakes a richness that basic caramel simply can’t match.
Additionally, the texture of dulce de leche plays a key role. Unlike runny caramel sauce, it’s thick enough to swirl into batter or pipe into frosting. This versatility means you can use it inside, outside, and on top of your cupcakes — making every single bite indulgent.
Because dulce de leche originated in Latin America, these cupcakes also carry cultural charm. They’re a fantastic way to introduce global flavors to your dessert table. Furthermore, if you enjoy experimenting with raspberry cupcakes, you’ll appreciate how these dulce de leche cupcakes offer an equally customizable canvas.
What You’ll Need to Make Dulce de Leche Cupcakes
Before you preheat the oven, gather every ingredient you need. Although the ingredient list is straightforward, each item contributes to the perfect balance of flavor and texture.
Ingredients Table
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 1 ½ cups | Sifted for lightness |
| Baking soda | ½ teaspoon | Ensures caramel color |
| Butter | ½ cup | Unsalted, softened |
| Sugar | ¾ cup | Standard granulated |
| Eggs | 2 | Room temperature |
| Dulce de leche | ½ cup | Homemade or store-bought |
| Milk | ½ cup | Whole milk preferred |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon | Pure extract for best flavor |
| Salt | Pinch | Balances sweetness |
Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Dulce de Leche Cupcakes
Although cupcakes seem simple, small steps make a huge difference. Follow these instructions closely, and your cupcakes will turn out light, tender, and bursting with flavor.
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
First, set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan with paper liners, because this makes cleanup easier and keeps the cupcakes from sticking.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. This simple step aerates the flour and ensures the leavening agent spreads evenly.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Meanwhile, beat butter and sugar until the mixture looks pale and fluffy. This process adds air to the batter, making your cupcakes light.
Step 4: Add Eggs One at a Time
After that, beat in the eggs, adding one at a time and fully mixing after each addition. This method prevents curdling and creates a smooth batter.
Step 5: Stir in Dulce de Leche and Vanilla
Next, blend in the dulce de leche and vanilla extract. This step ensures every bite has caramel flavor.
Step 6: Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients
Then, add the dry ingredients in three portions, alternating with the milk. Start and end with dry ingredients to keep the batter stable.
Step 7: Fill and Bake
Finally, spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them about three-quarters full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
📝Speaking of cinnamon treats, you’ll also love these Cinnamon Sugar Chips—another quick and easy air fryer favorite.
Common Cupcake Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced bakers sometimes struggle with cupcakes. Therefore, to save you from frustration, here are common errors to avoid:
- Overmixing: Once you add flour, stir gently until combined. Overmixing creates dense cupcakes.
- Skipping Baking Soda: This essential ingredient enhances color and texture.
- Overfilling Liners: Cupcakes rise best when the liners are filled about ¾ full. More than that causes overflow.
Pro Tips for Cupcake Success
Additionally, here are expert tips to make your baking even easier:
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Softened butter and warm eggs blend better than cold ingredients.
- Check Cupcakes Early: All ovens vary, so start checking for doneness at 17 minutes.
- Cool Completely Before Frosting: Warm cupcakes melt frosting, leading to a sticky mess.
Creative Frosting and Filling Ideas for Dulce de Leche Cupcakes
Although the cupcakes themselves offer incredible flavor, the frosting and fillings make them truly unforgettable. Therefore, it’s worth exploring creative ways to elevate your dulce de leche cupcakes into bakery-level masterpieces.
Dulce de Leche Buttercream (Classic Option)
Because it combines butter, powdered sugar, and dulce de leche, this frosting echoes the cupcake’s caramel notes without overwhelming it. Additionally, this buttercream pipes beautifully, making it ideal for decorative swirls.
Cream Cheese Caramel Frosting
Alternatively, if you prefer a touch of tang to balance the sweetness, you could try blending cream cheese into your frosting base. This approach works especially well if you want a slightly softer frosting with a creamy finish.
Stuffed Cupcake Filling Options
Rather than leaving the centers plain, you could also hollow out the baked cupcakes and fill them with even more dulce de leche. For added texture, you might even layer in finely chopped pecans, crushed cookies, or a sprinkle of sea salt. This technique adds both flavor contrast and visual excitement when guests take their first bite.
How to Store and Serve Dulce de Leche Cupcakes
Although freshly baked cupcakes taste best, you can easily make these ahead of time. Here’s exactly how to keep them tasting their best:
- Room Temperature: Store unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to three days.
- Refrigeration: If frosted, keep them refrigerated and bring them to room temperature before serving.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to two months.
Moreover, serving cupcakes at the right temperature matters. Chilled cupcakes feel dense, while room temperature cupcakes feel softer and taste sweeter.
FAQs: Your Top Dulce de Leche Cupcake Questions Answered
What is the difference between dulce de leche and confectioner’s dulce de leche?
Although both taste similar, regular dulce de leche is typically homemade by slowly simmering milk and sugar. Its texture is creamy and spreadable, perfect for filling or drizzling. Conversely, confectioner’s dulce de leche is thicker and designed specifically for pastry work, making it easier to pipe or sculpt.
Why is baking soda added to dulce de leche?
Since baking soda reduces the acidity of the milk, it helps prevent curdling during caramelization. Additionally, baking soda promotes browning, giving dulce de leche its signature deep color. This chemical reaction also enhances the flavor, making it richer and more complex.
What types of dulce de leche are there?
Although homemade dulce de leche remains the gold standard, you also have options:
Traditional Homemade: Cooked low and slow for the deepest flavor.
Confectioner’s Grade: Thicker for piping and decoration.
Pressure Cooker Version: Faster but slightly less complex.
Store-Bought: Convenient and consistent.
How can I decorate dulce de leche cupcakes?
Although frosting swirls always work, you could also:
Drizzle extra dulce de leche over the frosting.
Sprinkle toasted coconut or chopped nuts on top.
Add a pinch of flaky sea salt for contrast.
Can I make dulce de leche cupcakes ahead of time?
Certainly! Bake the cupcakes up to two days in advance and store them airtight at room temperature. You could also freeze them for longer storage and frost them just before serving.
What’s the best frosting for dulce de leche cupcakes?
Because they already offer rich caramel flavor, you should opt for:
Dulce de leche buttercream (for extra indulgence).
Cream cheese frosting (for balanced tang).
Whipped cream frosting (for a lighter option).
Conclusion
Because dulce de leche cupcakes combine irresistible caramel flavor with tender cake texture, they deserve a permanent place in your baking rotation. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or experiment with creative variations, these cupcakes always impress. Moreover, with expert tips and foolproof techniques, you can confidently bake a batch that tastes bakery-quality every single time. Now that you have every detail at your fingertips, it’s time to preheat your oven and let the baking magic begin.
