Name: Turtle Chocolate Cupcakes
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 cup pecan halves; 2 cups granulated sugar; 3/4 cup salted butter, cut into cubes; 1 cup heavy cream, room temperature; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (optional); 2 teaspoons fine sea salt; 1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 1 and 1/8 teaspoons baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature; 1 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 6 tablespoons sour cream, room temperature; 2 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 2 and 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee granules; 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature; 1 and 1/2 packages (12 oz) cream cheese, softened; 7 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted; 6 tablespoons salted caramel sauce; 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips; 1/4 cup heavy cream; 2 cups chopped pecans; Pecan halves for topping

Description

Delicious Turtle Chocolate Cupcakes that combine the rich flavors of chocolate, caramel, and nuts, inspired by the classic turtle candy.

Ingredients

Scale

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup pecan halves
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup salted butter, cut into cubes
1 cup heavy cream, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (optional)
2 teaspoons fine sea salt
1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 and 1/8 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
6 tablespoons sour cream, room temperature
2 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 and 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 and 1/2 packages (12 oz) cream cheese, softened
7 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
6 tablespoons salted caramel sauce
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 cups chopped pecans
Pecan halves for topping

Instructions

Prepare the Caramel Sauce & Pecan Filling: Toast the pecans, make the caramel sauce, and mix it with the chopped pecans. Let this cool down.
Make Chocolate Cupcakes: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Cream together the butter and sugar, then add the eggs, sour cream, vanilla, and coffee. Combine the wet and dry ingredients. Fill your cupcake liners and bake for 18-20 minutes.
Prepare Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat together the butter and cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and caramel, mixing until smooth.
Make Ganache: In a bowl, melt the chocolate chips with heavy cream. Do this in 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring in between.
Assemble Cupcakes: Core the cupcakes, fill them with the pecan mixture, frost the tops, drizzle with caramel and ganache, and finish with pecan halves as a garnish.

Notes

Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing. Don’t over-bake the cupcakes.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cupcake
Calories: 400
Sugar: 30g
Sodium: 200mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: cupcakes, chocolate, dessert, turtle, caramel, pecan