Dulce de Leche Cupcake

Sometimes you just need a little something sweet to get you through a tough day.  If you're looking for that perfect little sweet little indulgence, here's the perfect cupcake that is sure to fit the bill and make you smile.  To make this delightfully sweet treat you'll need...

• Chocolate Cake Mix (plus ingredients to make the cake...usually eggs, oil, and water)
• Store bought Vanilla Icing
• 1 Jar of Dulce de Leche Topping
• Butter (room temperate...around 1/2 cup....but it's up to you)
• Icing Sugar (optional)
• Garnish (optional): Milk Duds

On to the recipe...

Step 1: Follow the direction of your Chocolate Cake Mix - from preheating your oven through to adding the eggs, oil, water, etc.  Mix together until the batter is smooth..

Step 2 : After that you have a few options on how you'd like to add in the Dulce de Leche topping into your batter.  Your first option is to add around 1/3 of a cup directly into the batter and mixing it through.  Your second option, and my preference, is to add a couple of small dollops of Dulce de Leche into each cupcake (alternating a small spoonful of batter then a small spoonful of Dulce de Leche) or spooning some Dulce de Leche directly on top of the cupcake batter as you fill your cupcake liners.  By doing it the second way, the bottom of your cupcake gets all sticky and gooey  - almost like you soaked it in the Dulce de Leche - YUM.  Either way, it's yummy and completely up to you.


Step 3: Fill you cupcake pan liners around 3/4 of the way. Don't overfill your cupcake liners because you'll need some space between the cupcake and the top of the liner to act as a barrier to top the cupcake with the Dulce de Leche topping.  Place in the oven and bake as directed on package.  Once done, cool completely before icing. 

Step 4: On to the icing.  Mix together your vanilla icing and butter on high until smooth.  Give it a taste and if it's too buttery for your taste, add some icing sugar.  Once you're happy with the taste, you're ready to put together your Dulce de Leche Cupcake .

Step 4: Now it's time to assemble your sweet Dulce de Leche Cupcake.  Spoon on as much or as little Dulce de Leche topping over the top of your cupcake.  The Dulce de Leche topping won't soak into your cupcake much, so you'll only need enough to spread over the top.  This is also why it it was important not to overfill your cupcake liners so that it can act as a barrier.

Step 5: Finally, it's time to ice your cupcakes.  Because of the Dulce de Leche topping, it's easier if you use a piping bag and tip, but if you'd like to can try spooning it on.  Finally, top your cupcake off with a Milk Dud or whatever garnish you choose.

Happy Faking!