Best Butter Pecan Cupcakes Recipes

BUTTER PECAN CUPCAKES WITH SALTED CARAMEL BUTTERCREAM FROSTING RECIPE - (4.1/5)

Steps:

• HOMEMADE SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE: Heat sugar over medium-high heat in 1 to 1 1/2 quart heavy saucepan or saute pan. When sugar starts to melt, start whisking the sugar. It will clump up, but keep whisking. It will continue to melt. When the sugar is melted, stop whisking and instead swirl the pan to move the sugar around. Continue cooking sugar until it is completely melted and reaches a deep amber color. Carefully whisk in the butter, whisking till melted. The caramel may clump at the sides. Remove pan from heat and carefully pour in the heavy cream. Whisk until cream is incorporated and caramel is smooth. Whisk in salt. Let sauce cool for about 10 minutes in the pan, then pour into a pint mason jar and cool to room temperature. Yield: about 1 1/2 cups CUPCAKES: Heat oven to 350°F Cut 1 tablespoon. butter into small pieces; add to pecans in oven-proof dish. Bake, stirring after butter melts, 5 to 7 minutes, or till pecans are nicely toasted and butter is absorbed. Cool. Line muffin tin with 12 paper liners. Whisk flour; lightly spoon and level to measure, then sift twice into medium bowl with baking powder and soda. In bowl of stand mixer, combine sugar, salt and 1 stick butter. Beat at medium speed 5 minutes, till light and fluffy, scraping sides and bottom of bowl as needed. Add eggs, one at a time, adding vanilla with last egg and beating till yellow disappears after each addition. Using lowest speed of mixer, add flour mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour and adding nuts with last addition of flour. Stir batter with spatula, briefly, to be sure everything is mixed well. Fill muffin cups with about 1/4 cup batter. Bake 15-17 minutes or till a toothpick inserted near center returns with just a few crumbs. Cool on wire rack completely before frosting. SALTED CARAMEL BUTTERCREAM FROSTING: In medium bowl, beat butter till light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape bottom and sides of bowl; gradually add sugar and beat till smooth and creamy. Add salted caramel sauce and cream on low speed until incorporated. Increase speed gradually to high and beat till frosting is light and smooth, about 2 minutes. Refrigerate frosting at least 1/2 hour, or longer. (Can be made the day before.) If desired, garnish frosted cupcakes with additional toasted chopped pecans. Refrigerate leftovers and allow to sit at room temperature one hour before serving.

BROWN-BUTTER PECAN PIE CUPCAKES

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Position an oven rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners, and coat the liners and the top of the tin with cooking spray.
• Spread the pecans out on a baking sheet, and bake until nicely toasted, about 10 minutes. Let cool. Set aside 12 nice halves as garnish, then pulse the remaining pecans in a food processor until finely ground. Transfer the ground pecans to a medium bowl. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, and whisk to combine; set aside.
• Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating to incorporate after each addition. Scrape down the side of the bowl once or twice as needed. Beat in the vanilla. Adjust the speed to low, and add half the flour mixture, then the sour cream, then the remaining flour mixture until just combined.
• Divide the batter evenly among the cups of the prepared muffin tin. Bake until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 22 to 24 minutes, rotating the tin halfway through. Let the cupcakes cool in the tin for a few minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. (The cupcakes can be made 1 day ahead and stored at room temperature in an airtight container.)
• For the frosting: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat, swirling occasionally, until the milk solids have turned golden brown and the butter smells toasty, about 10 minutes. Pour the butter into a shallow baking dish, and refrigerate until it's solid but still soft enough that your finger leaves an indentation, about 25 minutes. Scrape the cooled butter into a large bowl (be sure not to leave any brown bits in the skillet), and beat with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth. While continuing to beat, add the corn syrup, and beat until incorporated. Scrape down the side of the bowl. Adjust the speed to medium-low, add the confectioners' sugar and salt, and beat until smooth. Use right away or keep for up to 2 hours at room temperature in an airtight container.
• To assemble: Divide the frosting evenly among the cupcakes, and use a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon to swirl. Top each cupcake with a teaspoonful of dulce de leche and 1 of the reserved toasted pecans.

BUTTER PECAN CUPCAKES RECIPE - (4.6/5)

Steps:

• Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tins and set aside. In a large skillet, melt ¼ cup of the butter. Add the chopped pecans and toss to coat. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until nuts are toasted and fragrant, about 10-15 minutes. Do not overcook the pecans. Remove from heat and allow to cool. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, cream sugar and remaining cup of butter until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time and mix thoroughly after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Add the dry mixture in thirds, alternating with the milk. Mix well after each addition. Stir in 1 1/3 cups of the toasted pecans. The remainder will be used to top the cupcakes. Spoon ¼ cup of batter into each liner. Bake for 13-17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 3 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely. Frosting: Cream together the butter, vanilla and 3 cups of the powdered sugar. Once well incorporated, add evaporated milk alternating with a cup of sugar at a time until all ingredients have been added. Beat on high for 5 minutes until light and fluffy. Spread on cupcakes and top with remaining 1 1/3 cups toasted pecans.