Carmel Mocha Cupcakes

Carmel Mocha Cupcakes (from Crazy about Cupcakes) makes 24
What you will need (recipes follow):
Mocha Cupcakes
Whipped Cream
Caramel Topping
Chocolate covered espresso beans
Chocolate curls

Mocha Cupcakes
2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup sour cream
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
5 Tbsp cocoa powder
3 Tbsp ground coffee
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup strong black coffee
2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat over to 350F. Insert liners into a medium cupcake pan.

In a large bowl cream together the sugar, butter, and eggs with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Mix in the sour cream.

In a separate bowl mix the flour, baking soda, cocoa, ground coffee, and salt.

In a measuring cup combine the coffee and vanilla.

Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with the coffee mixture. Mix thoroughly.

Fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of cupcakes comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in the pan.

Whipped Cream
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp granulated sugar

In a medium bowl whip the cream, vanilla, and sugar with an electric mixer on high speed until thick.

Caramel Topping
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
4 Tbsp (1/2 stick) unsalted butte
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract

In a saucepan over medium heat bring the brown sugar, butter, and cream to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and continue stirring for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Stir in the vanilla. Pour over warm cupcakes

To assemble cupcakes:
Top the cupcakes with Whipped Cream

Drizzle Caramel topping in a pattern on the cupcake tops. Be careful – if it is still hot, it will melt the whipped cream!

Sprinkle with chocolate covered espresso beans and/chocolate curls or shavings.