These Caramel Popcorn Cupcakes are the treat you need to try! A simple vanilla cupcake infused (and topped) with my very favorite caramel corn is a playful twist on a classic dessert.
It's a delicious way to jazz up a boxed cake mix and is perfect for any movie night, carnival party or just because!
Popcorn is one of my favorite snacks and you KNOW I love cupcakes so this recipe was bound to happen.
This, the very best Caramel Corn recipe, has been my favorite since I was a child. The rich, buttery taste is the perfect accompaniment to a sweet cupcake.
Serve it at any holiday party or any get-together no matter what time of year. These are sure to delight anyone who gets to try them.
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Why This Recipe Works
Boxed Cake Mix desserts are my favorite because they are tasty, easy and do half the work for you.
This recipe is no different. The yummy vanilla cupcake base gets a kick of popcorn flavor from caramel popcorn not only in the batter but also on top of the buttercream.
This would be a fun recipe to make with the kids. They'll think it is super fun to combine two yummy treats together.
And you will have leftover caramel corn to shove in your mouth hole. And trust me, you'll want to.
If you're looking for a fun dessert idea that is out of the box but still simple, these Caramel Popcorn Cupcakes are it!
Don't want cupcakes but still want a sweet treat? Make this White Chocolate Popcorn! So yum!
Ingredients
- white cake mix
- whole milk
- eggs
- oil
- caramel popcorn - while I prefer my family's recipe, you can buy premade caramel corn if you are running short on time.
- salted caramel sauce
- frosting - I prefer my Russian Buttercream Recipe
- caramel popcorn
The Russian Buttercream is just 3 ingredients and has this slight caramel adjacent flavor to it. It is the perfect accompaniment for these cupcakes.
You can use a Vanilla Buttercream or Cool Whip Frosting if you prefer.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
If you are making your own caramel corn, you may want to do that the day before as it takes about 2 hours from start to finish.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners and set aside.
In a bowl whisk together the cake mix with the milk, eggs and oil until the batter is shiny and everything is well incorporated.
Scoop approximately 2 tablespoon of batter into each cupcake liner. Layer with around 1 tablespoon crushed caramel popcorn.
Then top with more batter until it's ¾ full.
Drizzle a small amount of caramel sauce onto the top of the batter. You can use a toothpick to gently swirl it in. I like to leave it swirly and not mix it all the way in.
Bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until done. (Use the toothpick test to see if when inserted it comes out clean).
Remove from the oven and let it cool down completely before decorating.
To Decorate
Frost with the Russian Buttercream and top with a few pieces of caramel popcorn.
Hint: You can use store-bought vanilla icing if you prefer, but I think the way to really elevate cake mix desserts is to make homemade frosting. It's really not that difficult.
And you can use my cake decorating cheat sheet ideas if you don't feel great about your decorating skills. Plus the popcorn will hide any flaws!
Variations
This recipe is really easy to make in a variety of flavor variations.
You can make it with plain or buttered popcorn. It's up to you if you leave the caramel swirl in the cake batter and frost and garnish the same way as these cupcakes.
You can also make a Candied Popcorn variation. Make a batch of my yummy Cherry Candy Popcorn, skip the caramel swirl and frost and garnish as above.
Top tip
- You can use premade caramel corn, caramel sauce and frosting, to save time.
- Play around with the caramel sauce! You could try dulce de leche, maple syrup or even butterscotch to the batter before baking.
- I love salty sweets. Add sprinkle of sea salt to the top of the frosting before adding the popcorn. YUM!
- Try swapping out a Caramel Corn/ Cheese Popcorn mix (this cost is outrageous, I just wanted you to see what I was talking about. They sell this in grocery stores). I didn't think I would like those two flavors together but I totally do!
These delicious Caramel Popcorn Cupcakes are fun, unique, and totally easy! Make a batch ASAP!
Related Recipes
- Love cupcakes and cocktails? Browse my Alcohol Infused Cupcakes which take inspiration from your favorite drink recipes!
- Cupcakes in a Jar are a fun gift idea to send to friends and family!
- Strawberry Jello Cupcakes are always a treat! Your kids will love these!
- My all-time, favorite cupcakes recipe are Fireball Cupcakes! A spice cake infused with Fireball Whiskey is SO YUMMY!
- This Birthday Sprinkle Cupcakes recipe is super easy, quick to make, and packed with all the festive sprinkles.
Caramel Popcorn Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- 15.25 oz White Cake Mix
- 1 cup Whole Milk
- 3 Eggs
- ½ cup oil
- ⅓ cup caramel popcorn roughly chopped
- 3 tablespoon caramel sauce
For Frosting
- 1 ½ cups Russian Buttercream
- ½ cup caramel corn
Instructions
- If you are making your own caramel corn, do that the day before as it will take about 2 hours to prepare.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners and set aside.
- In a bowl whisk together the cake mix with the milk, eggs and oil until the batter is shiny and everything is well incorporated.
- Scoop approximately 2 tablespoon of batter into each cupcake liner. Layer with around 1 tablespoon crushed caramel popcorn and top with more batter until it's ¾ full.
- Swirl a small drizzle of caramel sauce on to the batter.
- Bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until done.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool down completely before decorating.
- Frost with the Russian buttercream and top with caramel popcorn.
Notes
- You can use premade caramel corn, caramel sauce and frosting, to save time.
- Play around with the caramel sauce! You could try dulce de leche, maple syrup or even butterscotch to the batter before baking.
- I love salty sweets. Add sprinkle of sea salt to the top of the frosting before adding the popcorn. YUM!
- Try swapping out a Caramel Corn/ Cheese Popcorn mix (this cost is outrageous, I just wanted you to see what I was talking about. They sell this in grocery stores). I didn't think I would like those two flavors together but I totally do!
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