Creme Brulee Cupcakes

By aarrington

Ingredients

• Cupcakes:
• 2 1/2 C all-purpose flour
• 3 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt, plus a pinch for the egg whites
• 1/2 C (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 C sugar
• 2 eggs, separated
• 1 C milk (I used half and half)
• 3 T caramel syrup
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• Brown Sugar Swiss Meringue Buttercream:
• 1 C light brown sugar
• 4 egg whites
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 C (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

Details

Servings 24
Adapted from iheartcuppycakes.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Mix flour, baking powder, and salt together and set aside. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Alternately beat in dry ingredients and milk.
Add caramel syrup and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Beat egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff but not dry. Gently fold whites into batter.
Spoon batter into cupcake papers, filling cups about 2/3 full. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool.

Meringue Buttercream:
Put sugar, egg whites and salt into the top of a double boiler over a pan of simmering water. Whisking constantly, cook until sugar has dissolved and mixture is warm (about 160 degrees). Pour heated egg whites into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat egg white mixture on high speed until it forms stiff (but not dry) peaks. Continue beating until fluffy and cooled, about 7 minutes total.
Switch to the paddle attachment. With mixer on medium-low, add butter two tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition. Increase speed to medium-high; continue beating until frosting appears thick, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low and continue beating 1 minute to reduce air bubbles.
To assemble cupcakes:
Remove center of cupcake using the cone method. Fill cupcake with buttercream. Sprinkle brown sugar on top and caramelize with creme brulee torch.