Lyle's Halloween Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream Recipe

These salted caramel buttercream cupcakes are a treat for the eyes and the taste buds! With beautifully piped pumpkins on the top in autumnal shades of peach and orange, these sweet, salty and delicious cakes make the perfect teatime treat!

Bake Time
20-25 min

Check out the baker:

This recipe was created by Jenna. You can find her faultless lifestyle content here: https://www.instagram.com/jennafifi/

For the muffins

  • 185g (6½oz) unsalted butter, softened 185g (6½oz) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 tbsp Lyle's Golden Syrup 3 tbsp Lyle's Golden Syrup
  • 150g (5oz) Fairtrade Tate & Lyle Golden Caster Cane Sugar 150g (5oz) Fairtrade Tate & Lyle Golden Caster Cane Sugar
  • 185g (6½oz) self-raising flour 185g (6½oz) self-raising flour
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 tbsp milk 2 tbsp milk

For the buttercream

  • 160g butter at room temperature 160g butter at room temperature
  • 200g Tate & Lyle Fairtrade icing sugar 200g Tate & Lyle Fairtrade icing sugar
  • 4 tbsp of Dulce de leche 4 tbsp of Dulce de leche
  • 1/2 tsp of salt 1/2 tsp of salt
  • 1tsp vanilla flavouring 1tsp vanilla flavouring
  • Orange food colouring Orange food colouring
  • Green food colouring Green food colouring

Instructions

HOW TO MAKE CUPCAKES WITH SALTED CARAMEL BUTTERCREAM

To make the cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160° Fan, 350°F, Gas 4 while you combine the butter, Lyle's Golden Syrup, Golden Caster Sugar, flour, eggs and milk together in a bowl. Beat with a mixer until soft and creamy.

2. Divide the mixture between paper cases in a 12-hole muffin tin and bake on the middle shelf for 20-25 minutes until well risen and golden brown (and they spring back when lightly pressed with a finger). Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool while you make the buttercream.

To make the buttercream

1. Cream the sugar and butter together until the mixture is light and fluffy.

2. Fold in the dulce de leche, vanilla and salt until combined.

3. Separate out 3 tablespoons of the buttercream mixture into a separate bowl and add a small amount of green food colouring until it is the desired colour.

4. Add orange food colouring to the remainder (and majority) of the mixture until a pumpkin orange shade is achieved.

5. Using a piping bag, pipe a pumpkin shape with the orange buttercream, before using a new piping bag filled with green buttercream to add the leaves on top.

6. Allow to firm in the fridge for a few hours before serving.

Chef's Tips

  • If you have any leftovers, they are best off being stored in the fridge to keep the frosting fresh.
  • Feel free to use caramel sauce from a jar if it’s easier.
  • If you are new to piping or you don’t fully rate your skill, try practicing on a clean plate or sheet of paper before letting loose on the actual cupcakes.