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A Milky Way Cupcake with Caramel Frosting on a plate with caramel drips on the plate.

Milky Way Midnight Cupcakes With Caramel Frosting

Sherri
These semi-homemade Milky Way Midnight Cupcakes feature a rich devil’s food cake mix, topped with a smooth caramel buttercream frosting, and a delightful candy center surprise!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Cooling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 288 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Cupcakes

  • 1 15.25-ounce box devil's food cake mix (Pillsbury, Duncan Hines, or other)
  • 2-3 eggs (use the amount listed on the package)
  • 1/3-1/2 cup vegetable oil (use the amount listed on the package)
  • water (use the amount listed on the package)
  • 5 Milky Way Midnight candy bars (single candy bars, 1.76 oz. each)

For the Frosting

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup caramel syrup, plus more for decorating, if desired (I used Smucker's Sundae Caramel Syrup)

Instructions
 

For the Cupcakes

  • Preheat oven to 350º F and line two cupcake/muffin pans with 24 baking cups.
  • Unwrap the candy bars and cut each one into 5 equal-sized pieces (you only need 24 so there will be an extra one).
  • Make cake mix according to package directions and fill each baking cup 2/3 of the way with batter.
  • Gently press one of the cut pieces of candy into the center of each cup of batter. Note that the batter will start to engulf the sides of each candy.
  • Bake cupcakes according to package directions until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
  • Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes and then transfer them cupcakes to a wire rack to continue to cool.

For the Frosting

  • Using a hand mixer, beat butter until smooth.
  • Add 1 cup of the powdered sugar and the caramel and beat again. Continue to add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, beating in between, until well incorporated.
  • Store the frosting in the refrigerator to firm up until ready to use (up to 24 hours in advance).
  • Frost cupcakes once they have cooled completely (about an hour). Drizzle on more caramel syrup before serving, if desired.

Notes

See the post above for helpful tips and answers to frequently asked questions.

Nutrition

Calories: 288kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 2gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 180mgPotassium: 70mgFiber: 1gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 151IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 1mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

Keyword cake mix cupcakes, caramel frosting, milky way cupcakes
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