If you’ve ever wondered what the perfect combination of sweet and salty looks like in muffin form, you’re about to find out. Salted Caramel Muffins are here to satisfy your cravings with a delicate, fluffy crumb, a touch of sweetness, and the irresistible depth of salted caramel. These muffins are like a warm hug for your taste buds—rich, indulgent, and a little bit decadent. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll be hooked.
Why You’ll Love Salted Caramel Muffins
Sweet and Salty Perfection: The caramel flavor is rich and buttery, while the sprinkle of salt takes it to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you’re baking for breakfast, brunch, or just a sweet treat, these muffins are always a hit.
Quick and Easy: These muffins come together in just a few simple steps, making them perfect for when you need a sweet fix fast.
Light and Fluffy: The texture is soft and pillowy, with a slight crunch on top from the caramel drizzle.
A Crowd-Pleaser: These muffins are sure to be the star of any gathering, with a flavor that both kids and adults will love.
Ingredients in Salted Caramel Muffins
Here’s what you’ll need to make these muffins extra delicious:
Flour: The base for the muffins, giving them structure and a light crumb.
Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that gorgeous golden color.
Baking Powder: Helps the muffins rise and become light and fluffy.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and give the muffins their soft, tender texture.
Butter: Adds richness and flavor, making these muffins taste even more indulgent.
Milk: Keeps the muffins moist and soft.
Salted Caramel Sauce: The star of the show! Drizzle some inside the muffin batter and top with more for extra gooey goodness.
Sea Salt: A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top for that perfect sweet-salty balance.
(Note: The full ingredient list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease it lightly.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, melted butter, and milk. Add the salted caramel sauce and mix well until smooth.
Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—it’s okay if the batter is a little lumpy!
Fill the Muffin Tin: Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin tin, filling each cup about 2/3 full.
Add More Caramel: Drizzle a small amount of extra salted caramel sauce on top of each muffin, then gently swirl it into the batter with a toothpick or skewer.
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The tops should be golden and slightly firm to the touch.
Sprinkle with Sea Salt: Once the muffins are baked, let them cool for a few minutes before sprinkling a little sea salt on top of each one. This adds that perfect salty crunch to balance out the sweetness.
Serve and Enjoy: These muffins are best enjoyed warm, so grab one (or two) and savor every bite!
How to Serve Salted Caramel Muffins
For Breakfast or Brunch: Serve these muffins alongside fresh fruit, yogurt, or a hot cup of coffee.
As a Dessert: These muffins are sweet enough to stand alone, but they’re also fantastic with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
On Their Own: Sometimes the best way to enjoy them is just by themselves. These muffins are perfect for an afternoon snack or a quick treat when you need something sweet.
Additional Tips
Make Ahead: You can make these muffins ahead of time and store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To keep them extra moist, place a slice of bread in the container with the muffins.
Caramel Substitution: If you don’t have salted caramel sauce, you can make your own or substitute with regular caramel sauce and a pinch of sea salt.
Add Mix-ins: For added texture, feel free to fold in some chocolate chips or chopped nuts into the batter before baking.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use regular caramel sauce instead of salted caramel?
A1: Yes, you can! Just be sure to add a pinch of sea salt to the batter or sprinkle it on top to get that salty-sweet balance.
Q2: Can I make these muffins without eggs?
A2: Yes! Use a flax egg or an egg replacer, and the muffins will turn out just as delicious.
Q3: How do I store leftover muffins?
A3: Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 2 months.
Q4: Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
A4: Yes, but the texture will be denser. You may want to use half whole wheat flour and half all-purpose flour for a lighter muffin.
Q5: Can I add chocolate chips to the muffins?
A5: Absolutely! Chocolate chips and salted caramel are a match made in heaven, so feel free to mix them into the batter.
Q6: Can I make these muffins dairy-free?
A6: Yes! Use dairy-free butter and milk, and find a dairy-free salted caramel sauce to make them fully dairy-free.
Q7: How do I get the muffins to rise higher?
A7: Make sure not to overmix the batter, and check that your baking powder is still active.
Q8: Can I make these muffins in a mini muffin tin?
A8: Yes! Just reduce the baking time to around 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them and test with a toothpick for doneness.
Q9: How can I make these muffins extra caramel-y?
A9: Drizzle more caramel sauce on top after baking, or add extra caramel chunks into the batter for more caramel flavor.
Q10: Can I freeze these muffins?
A10: Yes! These muffins freeze wonderfully. Let them cool completely, then wrap them individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven before serving.
Conclusion
If you’re craving something sweet with a perfect balance of salty and sweet, these Salted Caramel Muffins are the answer. Fluffy, buttery, and indulgent, they’re the perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for breakfast, a special gathering, or just because, these muffins will always impress. Grab your ingredients and bake up a batch—you’ll be so glad you did!
Print
Salted Caramel Muffins
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Salted Caramel Chocolate Chunk Muffins are a delightful treat, combining rich chocolate chunks with a hint of salted caramel. Perfect for breakfast or as a snack, these muffins offer a sweet and salty flavor profile that’s sure to please.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup chocolate chunks
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it lightly.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; avoid overmixing.
- Gently fold in the chocolate chunks.
- Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
- Using a teaspoon, drop a small amount of caramel sauce into the center of each muffin.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, drizzle additional caramel sauce over the top and sprinkle with flaky sea salt before serving.
Notes
- For a richer caramel flavor, consider using dulce de leche instead of regular caramel sauce.
- Ensure the muffins are completely cooled before drizzling with caramel to prevent it from melting into the muffins.
- These muffins are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg