Dulce de Leche Cupcakes
Dulce de Leche Cupcakes are the kind of dessert that makes people stop mid-bite and ask for the recipe.
This cupcake recipe combines soft, fluffy cake with creamy caramel flavor in every single bite—an indulgence that feels straight out of a bakery case.
Whether you’re planning a celebration or just need a little treat to brighten your day, these caramel-filled treats are the perfect balance of sweetness and texture.
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How to Make Dulce de Leche Cupcakes
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a cupcake pan with liners.
- Make sure your butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature before mixing.
- In a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar, then mix in egg whites, oil, baking powder, salt, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
- Add flour, scrape the bowl, and mix again.
- Gently swirl in half a can of dulce de leche by hand with a spatula rather than fully mixing. This creates those beautiful caramel ribbons throughout the cupcakes.
- Scoop the batter halfway into liners and bake for 14–16 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- For the frosting, beat butter and powdered sugar, then add salt, vanilla, milk, and part of the remaining dulce de leche.
- Beat until fluffy, pipe onto cooled cupcakes, and drizzle the leftover dulce de leche on top for a rich, caramel finish.
Don’t Forget To…
- Scroll down to print the full recipe with step-by-step instructions and exact measurements.
- Check out my Kitchen Essentials for the pans, mixing bowls, and baking tools I use to make this recipe a breeze.
- Save or share this recipe on Pinterest!
Yes, you can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2 months. Thaw completely before frosting and serving.
Absolutely. Canned dulce de leche works perfectly and saves time—no need to make your own caramel.
5Pcs Large Piping Tips Set, Stainless Steel Frosting Tips, Cake Decorating Tips for Cupcakes Cakes Cookies DecoratingBake Choice Non-Stick 400pcs Mini Cupcake Liners for Baking, Natural parchment muffin liners for Mini Muffin Pan, Cupcake Pan, Food Grade, Non Stick, Greaseproof
2Pack Silicone Muffin Pan for Baking with Metal Reinforced Frame, 12 Cup Regular Size Cupcake Pan, BPA Free Silicone Muffin Tray, Cupcake Baking Pan Molds for Oven Dishwasher Safe
Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Muffin Pan, 12 Cup
Nestle La Lechera Dulce de Leche Milk-Based Caramel
If you can’t get enough of rich, caramel-inspired dessert recipes, be sure to check out these irresistible ideas too!
- Learn simple tricks bakers swear by to keep your cupcakes moist and bakery-perfect.
- A fun twist on your favorite candy bar, these chocolate Twix cupcakes are filled with caramel flavor and topped with a sweet candy crunch.
Fix baking fails fast with this handy troubleshooting guide.
Dulce de Leche Cupcakes Recipe
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
- ½ c unsalted butter softened
- 1 ⅔ c sugar
- 6 egg whites
- ¼ c vegetable oil
- 2 ½ t baking powder
- 1 t salt
- 1 t vanilla
- 1 ¼ c milk
- 2 c all purpose flour
- 1 – 13 oz can dulce de leche divided
Frosting:
- 1 c. unsalted butter softened
- 1 t salt
- 1 t vanilla extract
- 4 c powdered sugar
- 2-3 T. milk
- 1 – 13 oz can dulce de leche divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare cupcake pan by placing the cupcake liners for approximately 24-30 cupcakes.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar.
- Add in the egg whites, oil, baking powder, salt, vanilla and milk. Combine well.
- Add the flour and mix thoroughly. Stop the mixer, scrape the sides of the bowl and mix again.
- Add in half the can of dulce de leche and gently swirl into the batter by hand.
- Divide cupcake batter using an ice cream scoop into the cupcake tin, filling half way.
- Bake in preheated oven for 14-16 minutes or until lightly browned or when a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the cupcake.
- Allow cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- To make the dulce de leche frosting, combine the softened butter and powdered sugar until mostly combined in the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Into the butter mixture, add in the salt, vanilla and 2 tablespoons of milk and a little less than half the dulce de leche – retain approximately 2 T. worth to drizzle over the frosting later.
- Beat frosting until smooth – scraping the sides frequently and adding additional milk only if needed to bring the frosting together.
- Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Gently pipe a spiral cone shape of frosting on each cupcake.
- Place dulce de leche in a microwave safe bowl for about 15-20 seconds or until softened.
- Using a spoon, carefully drizzle the extra dulce over each of the finished cupcakes.