Turtle Cupcakes

By ctozzi

Ingredients

• For the cake:
• Chocolate Cheesecake Turtle Cupcakes
• (makes 18 cupcakes)
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup water
• 1 Tbsp vinegar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• For the cheesecake:
• 8 oz Cream Cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• For the Turtle Topping:
• 14 caramels
• 6 Tbsp half & half, divided
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preparation

Step 1

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin pans with cupcake liners.
2.In large bowl combine dry cake ingredients: flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda. Mix until well combined.
3.In small bowl combine wet cake ingredients: vegetable oil, water, vinegar and vanilla.
4.Make a well in the bowl of dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Stir mixture until combined.
5.Fill cupcake liners 1/3 full with chocolate batter.
6.In a small bowl combine cheesecake ingredients: cream cheese, sugar and egg. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
7.Use a small cookie scoop to evenly distribute the cream cheese mixture on top of the chocolate batter.
8.Bake for 20-22 minutes or until cream cheese center is firm.
9.Let cupcakes cool in pans for 5 minutes, then remove to wire racks to finish cooling.
10.Once cupcakes are completely cool add the turtle toppings.

For the Turtle Topping:


1.Unwrap caramels and place in microwave safe bowl with 3 Tbsp half & half. Microwave for 1 1/2 -2 minutes until melted. Stir until smooth and let cool for a few minutes.
2.Place chocolate chips and 3 Tbsp half & half in microwave safe. Microwave for 1 1/2-2 minutes until melted. Stir until smooth.
3.Use a spoon and drizzle caramel and chocolate on top of each cupcake.
4.Sprinkle cupcakes with pecans.