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cross section of vegan caramel cupcake
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5 from 4 votes

“Gold-bottom” Vegan Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes

I call these guys “Golden-bottom” cupcakes, sort of in response to black bottom cupcakes. The caramel sauce sinks to the bottom of the cakes as they bake leaving you with a beautifully gooey golden surprise when you bite in.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: vegan caramel cupcakes
Servings: 6 cupcakes
Calories: 917kcal
Author: Richard Makin

Ingredients

For the Salted Caramel

  • 45 g raw unsalted cashews
  • 80 g boiling water
  • 200 g caster sugar
  • 100 g coconut cream (the solid white stuff at the top of a can of refrigerated coconut milk)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste
  • pinch flaky sea salt

For the Sponge Cakes

  • 1 ½ teaspoon psyllium husk powder + 6 teaspoon water
  • 85 g plain flour
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 35 g cocoa powder
  • 4 tablespoon boiling water
  • 50 g vegan margarine
  • 135 g granulated sugar
  • 75 ml oat milk

For the Frosting

  • 100 g vegan margarine at room temperature
  • 100 g “baking block” at room temperature (it’s a solid vegan butter sometimes called “baking fat”, sold at most supermarkets)
  • 400 g icing sugar (sifted)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

Instructions

To Make the Salted Caramel

  • In the cup of a high speed blender, place the cashews and the boiling water. Leave to soak for 30 minutes.
  • Once soaked, blend the cashews and soaking water until very, very smooth.
  • In a small bowl, measure out your coconut cream and 60g of your cashew cream, mix together until combined.
  • In a medium, high-sided saucepan over medium/low heat, place the caster sugar. Stirring constantly, heat until the sugar is completely melted and is turning a nice golden brown (don’t worry if it smokes slightly). Remove from the heat and add the coconut cream and cashew cream mixture. The caramel will splutter and spit so be careful. Stir gently until combined then add the salt and vanilla. Stir well.
  • Return to a low heat and simmer gently for a minute or two. Remove from the heat and set aside. Allow to cool to room temperature. Once cool, place in the fridge to chill for an hour.

To Make the Cupcakes

  • Preheat the oven to 180c and line a cupcake tray with 6 cupcake cases.
  • In a small bowl combine the psyllium husks and the water. Mix and set aside to thicken.
  • In another small bowl, measure out the flour and the baking powder. Stir to combine and set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the cocoa and the boiling water. Fit the paddle attachment and beat until smooth. Add the vegan margarine and psyllium egg and beat until smooth (the psyllium tends to clump very easily, so make sure you beat very well).
  • Add the remaining cake ingredients and beat until just combined.
  • Divide the batter between the six cupcake cases and top each cup of batter with one teaspoon of the chilled caramel.
  • Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow to cool briefly in the tin before removing each cake delicately and allowing to cool fully on a wire cooking rack.
  • While cooling, prepare the frosting.

To Make the Frosting

  • Place your remaining caramel on the counter and allow it to come to room temperature. It should be rather runny. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, place the vegan margarine and the baking block. Beat on high speed for around 3-4 minutes until well combined and light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and beat briefly to combine.
  • Measure out your icing sugar into a separate bowl and sift before using. With the stand mixer on low, add the icing sugar a dessert spoon at a time, beating well after each addition. If the mixture looks too dry, add a tablespoon of plant milk to loosen it up and beat until smooth.
  • Transfer your frosting to a piping bag and top each cooled cupcake as desired. Top the icing with a teaspoon of the room temperature caramel - it should slowly run over the icing and enrobe the top of the cupcake.
  • Serve (probably with a spoon - they’re pretty gooey!) and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1grams | Calories: 917kcal | Carbohydrates: 143g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Sodium: 284mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 123g