Best Salted Butter Caramel Recipes

JOHN WHAITE'S CHOCOLATE CHIFFON CAKE WITH SALTED CARAMEL BUTTER CREAM

Steps:

• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Grease and line a 25cm round deep cake tin with baking parchment. In a large bowl, mix the oil, egg yolks, vanilla paste, caster sugar and 200ml water until well combined. Sift in the cocoa powder and whisk until smooth.
• Sift in the flour, bicarb and 1 tsp salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks. Fold into the batter with a large metal spoon and mix until everything is well combined.
• Gently pour the mixture into your cake tin, then bang it on the work surface twice to expel any large air pockets. Bake for 1 hr 10 mins or until the cake springs back when gently prodded and an inserted skewer comes out clean. (Cover with foil after 1 hr if the cake starts to get too dark.) Remove from the oven, cool in the tin for 10 mins, then transfer to a large wire rack and peel off the parchment. Leave until the cake is completely cool.
• Make the salted caramel icing while the cake bakes. Heat the brown sugar, ½ tsp salt and cream in a saucepan until the sugar has dissolved. Bubble for a few mins, then leave to cool completely. Beat the butter until smooth, pour in the cooled cream mixture and continue mixing until softly whipped. Chill until needed.
• To make the ganache, heat the cream until just boiling. Remove from the heat and pour over the chocolate. Leave to stand for a few mins until the chocolate has melted and you have a smooth sauce consistency. Leave to cool at room temperature until the ganache is a pipeable thickness, then transfer to a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle. To finish the cake, slice in half and fill with the salted caramel buttercream. Pipe tall spikes of chocolate ganache on top and decorate with the sea salt crystals. Will keep for up to 2 days in a cool place.

SALTED CARAMEL BROWN BUTTER COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat a large, heavy-bottom skillet over medium heat. Add all of the butter at once and allow to melt, stirring continuously, until it begins to foam and turn brown in color, about 5 minutes. Continue to stir over medium heat until the foam has subsided. Remove the pan from heat and continue to stir until the butter is a medium golden brown and has a nutty aroma. Allow to cool for 10 minutes.
• Place unwrapped chocolate kisses in the freezer.
• Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Combine browned butter, brown sugar, and white sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined. Add eggs and vanilla extract; mix well. Slowly incorporate flour mixture into butter mixture, mixing until well combined; do not overmix. Allow dough to chill in the refrigerator for 40 to 60 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Drop chilled dough by tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are light golden brown, 10 to 13 minutes.
• Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for exactly 4 minutes. Gently press a caramel-chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie; press slightly into cookie and not just placed on top. Sprinkle a scant pinch of sea salt over the center of the cookies and allow to cool completely on a cooling rack. Refrigerate if necessary to re-harden caramel kisses.

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.

SALTED BUTTER CARAMEL-CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Steps:

• 1. Spread the sugar evenly over the bottom of a wide saucepan. Heat the sugar over medium heat. As it begins to liquefy at the edges, use a heatproof spatula to very gently drag the liquefied sugar toward the center. Watch carefully, as once the edges start to darken, the sugar is in danger of burning. Continue to cook, stirring very gently, until all the sugar is melted and begins to caramelize.
• 2. When the caramel is a deep amber color and starts to smoke, wait for a moment for it to smell just slightly burnt, then remove it from the heat and quickly whisk the butter, stirring until melted. Gradually whisk in the cream and stir until the little bits of caramel are completely melted. (A few can be stubborn, so be patient. You can strain the mixture if they simply refuse to budge.)
• 3. Once smooth, add the chocolate, stirring gently until it's melted and smooth. Scrape the mixture into a large bowl and let it cool to room temperature. Once it's no longer warm, whisk in the egg yolks.
• 4. In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites until stiff. Fold one-third of the whipped whites into the chocolate mixture, sprinkling in the flaky salt. Fold in the remaining beaten egg whites just until no streaks of white remain. Divide the mousse into serving glasses, or transfer it to a decorative serving bowl, and chill for at least 8 hours. While it might be tempting to serve this with whipped cream, I prefer to serve it pure, straight up with just a spoon.

PEANUT BUTTER PARFAIT WITH SALTED CARAMEL CRUNCH

Steps:

• Whisk the cream with the vanilla until just starting to stiffen. In a separate bowl, beat the peanut butter with the icing sugar to slacken, then fold the peanut butter mixture and the crushed banana chips into the cream. Tip into a container and chill in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.
• To serve, paint a stripe of salted caramel sauce over two large plates, then scatter the stripe with the crushed brittle.
• Using a dessert spoon, scoop the parfait into an oval shape (a quenelle) and sit it on one side of the plate. Top the parfait with a standing row of three banana chips, then serve.

CHOCOLATE-PEANUT BUTTER CAKE WITH SALTED CARAMEL GLAZE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray 10-inch fluted tube pan with cooking spray; set aside. In bowl stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
• In large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on low to medium speed 30 seconds. Add sugar; beat until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low to medium speed 1 minute after each addition and scraping bowl frequently. Beat in sour cream and vanilla. Alternately add flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined.
• Divide batter into two bowls. Stir melted chocolate into half the batter until well combined. Stir peanut butter into remaining half until well combined.
• Alternately drop spoonfuls of batter into prepared pan. Use a small metal spatula or butter knife to gently swirl the batters together (no not overmix).
• Bake in preheated oven 40 to 45 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes on wire rack. Remove cake from pan; cool thoroughly on wire rack. Drizzle cake with half of the Salted Caramel Glaze. If desired, sprinkle with Sea Salt. Pass remaining sauce.

BROWN BUTTER SALTED CARAMEL SNICKERDOODLES

Steps:

• 1.In a medium sized bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, cream of tarter, cinnamon, and set aside. 2.To brown the butter, heat a medium saucepan to medium high heat. Add the sliced butter, whisking frequently. You will notice the butter starting to become frothy on the top and brown specks will start to form along the bottom. You have to watch it closely because the turn happens quickly and you don't want it to burn. You will start to smell a nutty aroma and once it turns to a brown color, remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature. 3.While the butter is cooling, cut the carmel squares into ¼'s. 4.In a stand mixer, combine the brown butter and brown sugar, and ½ cup granulated sugar. (The ¼ cup sugar will be used for rolling in the cookies). Mix until blended and smooth. 5.Beat in egg, yolk, vanilla and yogurt and mix until combined. Slowly add the dry ingredients until combined. 6.Form the dough into a ball and cover with plastic. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or overnight. 7.Once you are ready to bake preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Measure about 2 tablespoons of dough and roll into a ball. Flatten the ball and place 1-2 caramel squares inside, wrap the cookie dough over the caramel and roll back into a ball. Make sure it is completely covered so that the caramel won't stick to the pan. 8.Mix ¼ cup sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and roll each cookie in the mixture. Place on a cookies on a parchment lined cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt. (I used course sea salt) 9.Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly brown. The centers will be soft. Allow to cook for 2-3 minutes, and transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely

SALTED CARAMEL & PEANUT BUTTER BILLIONAIRE'S SLICE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease and line a 20 x 30cm rectangular cake tin with baking parchment - the best way to do this is with 2 long strips of parchment. Put the ingredients for the base in a food processor and blitz until it starts to clump together - don't worry if the peanuts are still a little chunky, they will add a lovely texture. Tip onto your work surface and knead briefly to bring together as a dough. Press the dough into the base of your tin in an even layer. Bake for 25 mins until golden, then set aside to cool.
• To make the peanut butter layer, melt the butter and peanut butter in a small pan and mix until smooth. Sieve the icing sugar into a bowl, then pour in the hot butter mixture and stir to combine. While the mixture is still warm, pour over the base and smooth out with a spatula. Chill for 2 hrs until set.
• To make the caramel layer, put the caramel and salt in a pan, bring up to the boil and simmer vigorously for 2-3 mins, whisking continuously, until the colour darkens a shade or two and the caramel thickens slightly. Leave the caramel to cool for 20 mins (see tips, below). Once cooled, pour it over the peanut butter layer and return to the fridge for a further 2 hrs.
• Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Meanwhile, put the toffees and the milk in a small saucepan and gently heat. They will clump together and struggle to melt at first, but keep heating and eventually they will turn into a runny toffee sauce.
• Remove the tin from the fridge and pour the chocolate over the salted caramel layer, tipping the tin to spread the chocolate over the surface. Use a spoon to quickly drizzle the caramel over the chocolate in a thin loopy pattern (or see tip, below). If the toffee starts to get too thick, add a splash more milk or cream and pop it back on the heat until runny. Sprinkle over the sea salt flakes and put the tin back in the fridge to chill for 2 hrs before slicing.

BROWN BUTTER SALTED CARAMEL SNICKERDOODLES

Steps:

• 1. In a medium sized bowl,mix the flour,baking soda,cream of tarter,cinnamon,and set aside. To brown the butter,heat a medium saucepan to medium high heat. Add the sliced butter, whisking frequently. You will notice the butter starting to become frothy on the top and brown specks will start to form along the bottom.
• 2. You have to watch it closely because the turn happens quickly and you don't want it to burn. You will start to smell a nutty aroma and once it turns to a brown color,remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature. While the butter is cooling,cut the carmel squares into ¼'s.
• 3. In a stand mixer, combine the brown butter and brown sugar, and ½ cup granulated sugar. (The ¼ cup sugar will be used for rolling in the cookies). Mix until blended and smooth. Beat in egg,yolk,vanilla and yogurt and mix until combined. Slowly add the dry ingredients until combined.
• 4. Form the dough into a ball and cover with plastic. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Once you are ready to bake preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Measure about 2 tablespoons of dough and roll into a ball.
• 5. Flatten the ball and place 1-2 caramel squares inside,wrap the cookie dough over the caramel and roll back into a ball. Make sure it is completely covered so that the caramel won't stick to the pan. Mix ¼ cup sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and roll each cookie in the mixture.
• 6. Place on a cookies on a parchment lined cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly brown. The centers will be soft. Allow to cook for 2-3 minutes,and transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

CHOCOLATE & SALTED CARAMEL WAFFLE BREAD & BUTTER PUDDING

Steps:

• Fill a large pan with a few centimetres of water and set over a medium heat. Set a large heatproof bowl over the pan - it should sit on top without touching the water. Break the chocolate into the bowl, then tip in the cream, milk, butter, caster sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. Reduce the heat to low, and stir the mixture until everything has melted together and is glossy. Remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly.
• Spread the caramel over the base of a baking dish (ours was 30 x 22cm), then sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt. Cut the waffles in half diagonally, then arrange over the caramel in overlapping rows.
• Pour the egg yolks into the warm chocolate mixture, mixing well as you do until all of the egg is fully incorporated. Carefully pour the chocolate custard over the waffles, ensuring they're fully covered. Leave to soak for at least 1 hr, or cover and chill overnight.
• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and uncover the dish if it has been chilled. Bake the pudding for 30 mins until the custard is set with a slight wobble in the centre. Leave to stand for 5 mins, then dust lightly with icing sugar, if you like, and scoop into bowls to serve.

MALTED PEANUT BUTTER BROWNIE WITH SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 and line a 20cm square cake tin with baking parchment. Melt the chocolate and butter together in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, or do this in short bursts in the microwave.
• Beat the eggs and sugar together in a large bowl using an electric whisk for 3 mins until light and fluffy. Sift over the cocoa, then add the flour and malted milk powder. Fold everything together quickly, then scoop half of the mixture into the tin. Dot over spoonfuls of the peanut butter, then scoop the rest of the brownie mixture over the top and gently ripple the two together using a cutlery knife or skewer. Bake for 30 mins until the brownies are set and slightly cracked on top. Leave to cool completely in the tin.
• If you're making the sauce, tip the sugar and cream into a small pan and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring until you have a thick toffee sauce. Season with a pinch of sea salt. Cut the brownies into squares and serve with ice cream and the warm sauce, if you like. Will keep in an airtight container for up to three days.

BROWN BUTTER SALTED CARAMEL SNICKERDOODLES RECIPE - (4.6/5)

Steps:

• In a medium sized bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, cream of tarter, cinnamon, and set aside. To brown the butter, heat a medium saucepan to medium high heat. Add the sliced butter, whisking frequently. You will notice the butter starting to become frothy on the top and brown specks will start to form along the bottom. You have to watch it closely because the turn happens quickly and you don't want it to burn. You will start to smell a nutty aroma and once it turns to a brown color, remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature. While the butter is cooling, cut the carmel squares into ¼'s. In a stand mixer, combine the brown butter and brown sugar, and ½ cup granulated sugar. (The ¼ cup sugar will be used for rolling in the cookies). Mix until blended and smooth. Beat in egg, yolk, vanilla and yogurt and mix until combined. Slowly add the dry ingredients until combined. Form the dough into a ball and cover with plastic. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Once you are ready to bake preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Measure about 2 tablespoons of dough and roll into a ball. Flatten the ball and place 1-2 caramel squares inside, wrap the cookie dough over the caramel and roll back into a ball. Make sure it is completely covered so that the caramel won't stick to the pan. Mix ¼ cup sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and roll each cookie in the mixture. Place on a cookies on a parchment lined cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt. (I used course sea salt) Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly brown. The centers will be soft. Allow to cook for 2-3 minutes, and transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

SALTED CARAMEL PEANUT-BUTTER ICE CREAM

Steps:

• In a small saucepan or microwave-safe container, heat caramel sauce until warm but not boiling, about 1 minute over medium heat or 20 seconds in the microwave on full power (100%). Add salt and stir to combine. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, sugar, cream, milk, and vanilla until peanut butter is mostly dissolved. Let sit 5 minutes, or until sugar is dissolved, then whisk again.
• Pour into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer's directions. Add salted caramel for the last 10 seconds of churning.
• Transfer to an airtight, freezer-safe container and freeze at least 8 hours and up to 24, depending on how firm you would like the ice cream to be.

BREAD & BUTTER PUDDING WITH SALTED CARAMEL WHISKEY BUTTER SAUCE RECIPE - (4.5/5)

Steps:

• In a medium mixing bowl, combine the raisins and whiskey; let soak for 1 hour. Butter a 2-quart rectangular baking dish; set aside. In a large bowl whisk together the eggs, cream, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Generously spread one side of each slice of bread with the 3/4 cup butter. Cut the slices in half diagonally and arrange the bread in the bottom of the prepared baking dish, overlapping the slices. Drain the raisins, reserving the whiskey. Sprinkle raisins over the bread, tucking some between the bread slices. Pour the custard over the bread; cover and let it soak in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place the baking dish in a large roasting pan. Add enough hot water to come halfway up the sides of the dish. Bake for 45 minutes or until the pudding is set and the top is golden (there will be a layer of melted butter over the pudding). Carefully remove the baking dish from the water bath and let cool slightly on a wire rack (the butter will soak back into the bread as it cools). Meanwhile, for sauce, melt the butter in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the sugar, salt, cream, and 3 tablespoons of the reserved whiskey. Bring to boiling; reduce the heat, and simmer, uncovered, for 10 to 15 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly, stirring frequently. Serve pudding warm with the sauce spooned over the top. CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING Omit raisins, whiskey, and steps 1 and 4. Use 4 ounces semisweet and/or milk chocolate, chopped (1 cup) in place of raisins. Serve with Ganache: In a medium saucepan bring 1 cup whipping cream just to boiling over medium heat. Remove from heat. Add 12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped (do not stir). Let stand 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. Cool for 15 minutes.

SALTED CARAMEL, PEANUT BUTTER ICE-CREAM

Steps:

• Melt the sugar in a large pan over a high heat until it is completely liquid and takes on an amber colour. Then add 100ml of double cream. It should come to the boil almost instantly from the heat of the caramel. Then add the sea salt, gently shake it up to mix it in and let it rest off the heat.
• Mow take another pan and add the milk and remaining cream to it. Gently heat it over a medium heat. You only want this to steam, not boil. As that is heating, whisk up 3 egg yolks in a large mixing bowl.
• Once the milk/cream mixture starts to steam, gradually, bit by bit add it to the yolks, whisking each bit in before you add the next. Once all the milk and cream has been incorporated into the yolks pour the mixture back into the pan and whisk in the peanut butter.
• Once the peanut butter is incorporated, place the salted caramel over a low heat, pour in the peanut butter custard and whisk to combine. The thick caramel should be resistant at first but be patient. Once the caramel has mixed in, swap the whisk for a wooden spoon, turn the heat up to medium and stir continuously for 20 to 30 minutes until the custard has thickened enough to coat the back of the wooden spoon. It's thick enough when you drag a finger across the back of the wooden spoon and the trail stays clean.
• Remove from the heat and allow to come down to room temperature. This will happen faster if you sit the pan in a sink of cold water. Then pour into a freezer proof container and freeze for an hour or two or until ice starts to form around the edges of the ice-cream.
• Then take it out and blitz it in a blender or food processor. Freeze and blitz another 2 times before returning it to the freezer for at least 4 hours or overnight. Serve.

SALTED CARAMEL BUTTER BARS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the butter and sugars. Using mixer on medium speed, beat together until creamy. Add the vanilla and beat until combined. Sift the flour into the butter mixture and beat on low speed until a smooth soft dough forms. Spray a 9×13 inch baking pan lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Press one-third of the dough evenly into the pan to form a bottom crust. Preheat to 325°F Bake until firm and the edges are a pale golden brown approx 20 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cool about 15 minutes. While the bottom crust is baking and the remaining dough is chilling, make the caramel filling. Place the unwrapped caramels in a microwave-safe bowl. Add the cream. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Remove from the microwave and stir until smooth. If caramels are not completely melted, microwave on high for 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until smooth (I did the melting in a saucepan stovetop since I don't microwave). Pour the caramel filling over the crust. If you are going to salt the caramel sprinkle it on caramel layer now. Remove the remaining chilled dough from the refrigerator and crumble it evenly over the caramel. Return the pan to the oven and bake until the filling is bubbly and the crumbled shortbread topping is firm and lightly golden, about 25 - 30 minutes. Let cool before cutting into squares.

NUTS FOR PEANUT BUTTER CUPCAKES WITH SALTED CARAMEL FILLING

Steps:

• For the cupcakes: Preheat the convection oven to 325 degrees F or a standard oven to 350 degrees F.
• In large mixer bowl, cream together the granulated sugar, butter and peanut butter until light and fluffy with heavy duty mixer. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix thoroughly after each addition. Add the vanilla and mix well. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Add half of the flour to the mixer bowl along with 1/2 cup of the half-and-half. Mix until the flour is mixed in, scraping the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the rest of the flour and the other 1/2 cup half-and-half. Mix until the batter is smooth and all of the flour lumps are gone.
• Fill 24 cupcake liners half full and bake for 20 minutes in the convection oven or 28 minutes in the standard oven. The tops of the cupcakes should be lightly browned. Check the cupcakes to make sure no batter sticks to a wooden toothpick when inserted into the cupcake. Cool the cupcakes completely.
• For the salted caramel filling: In heavy medium saucepan, cook the granulated sugar by itself over medium-high heat. As the sugar starts to melt, stir continuously until all the sugar is melted and is a dark amber color. Remove from the heat. Stir in the butter until it is completely melted; the mixture will bubble up. Then add the cream and stir until smooth. Sprinkle in the sea salt and stir slightly. Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• For the peanut butter buttercream: In large mixer bowl, beat together the butter, peanut butter and half of the powdered sugar using heavy duty mixer. Add the half-and-half and the rest of the powdered sugar, along with the vanilla, and mix well. If the frosting is thicker than you would like, add 1 teaspoon of additional half-and-half at a time, mixing well after each addition until the frosting reaches the correct consistency. The thickness may depend on the humidity levels in your region.
• To assemble: When cupcakes are cooled to room temperature, make a 3/4-inch hole in the middle of each cupcake using a sharp knife. Leave a small amount of cake in the bottom of each cupcake so that your filling doesn't fall out the bottom of the cupcake. Using a small zipper bag, fill each cupcake to the top with salted caramel filling. Then frost with peanut butter buttercream. You may top cupcakes with chopped peanuts and a salted caramel drizzle as desired.

SALTED CARAMEL BUTTER SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium-low heat.
• Cook the sugar until it melts and begins to turn a caramel colour.
• Give the caramel a stir to blend in any uncooked sugar.
• Once all the sugar has turned to liquid caramel, remove the pan from the heat and dip the base of the pan into cold water VERY BRIEFLY to stop the caramel from cooking further.
• Carefully stir in the cream (the mixture may splatter and foam), add the butter, and place the pan over low heat, stirring until all the caramel is dissolved.
• Let cool slightly before servinng.
• Enjoy!

SALTED BUTTER CARAMEL

Steps:

• Place heavy cream and butter in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, in a larger saucepan place sugar and corn syrup. When the cream/butter mixture is boiling, add the fleur de sel, stir, then strain into a bowl and set aside. Meanwhile the sugar/corn syrup mixture should be in the early stages of melting and turning to caramel. Gently move the darker, melted parts of the sugar around the pot, so everything cooks to the same consistency. Bring the caramel to an amber color until a thermometer registers 145 degrees C (and up to 160 degrees C), then turn off the heat and add the cream/butter mixture, a little bit at a time (the mixture will bubble up). Turn on the heat and cook to 120 C degrees. Turn off the heat, remove the thermometer and pour the caramel into a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cool to room temperature, about 2 hours.
• When caramel is cool, remove from the pan. Using a small paring knife go around the edge and flip over onto parchment paper sprayed with non-stick spray. Give it a quick tap and when it comes out remove the parchment paper. Cut into small pieces (about 5 dozen) using a knife or scissors. Place a caramel in the middle of a wrapper, wrap and twist the ends.

SALTED CARAMEL PEANUT BUTTER CUPS

Steps:

• For the peanut butter salted caramel: Heat the sugar and 1 1/2 tablespoons water in a medium saucepan over medium heat until the sugar melts and the mixture reaches a deep amber color, about 2 minutes. Avoid stirring the mixture to prevent it from crystallizing.
• Remove the pan from the heat and immediately whisk in the cream, milk and salt. The mixture will bubble up violently. Once it has settled, add the peanut butter and whisk to combine. Pour the caramel into a glass jar and allow it to cool for at least 1 hour, by which point it should be thick and cool to the touch. The caramel can also be made the day before.
• For the chocolate coating: In a double boiler over medium heat, melt the chocolate and butter together.
• Place 10 mini cupcake liners into a mini cupcake tin. Pour roughly 3/4 teaspoon of the melted chocolate into the bottom of each cupcake liner and spread it along the sides with a teaspoon so that it coats the entire liner. Place them in the fridge for 5 minutes.
• Place 1/2 teaspoon of the cooled caramel into each chocolate liner. Use your finger to slightly flatten the caramel, then pour the melted chocolate over the top, filling the liners to the top. Decorate the tops with crushed peanuts or sea salt flakes if you wish! Put the peanut butter cups back in the fridge for 10 minutes, then serve immediately.