Name: Easy Cupcake Recipes Dulce de Leche Cupcakes
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/2 cup whole milk, room temperature; 1 cup dulce de leche (plus extra for drizzling); Whipped cream or frosting for topping

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Cupcakes have a way of pulling us into the kitchen even on the busiest days. These Dulce de Leche Cupcakes belong on every list of easy cupcake recipes, and for good reason. They balance soft vanilla cake with a rich caramel filling that’s smooth, sticky, and sweet enough to make you pause mid-bite. I’ve baked a lot of cupcakes, but there’s something about the way these flavors come together that makes them feel extra special. When I first made these, I remember dipping a spoon into the jar of dulce de leche before even filling the cupcakes. The caramel had this glossy finish that promised happiness with every bite, and honestly, it delivered. Recipes like this remind me why I love kitchen recipes that don’t need fancy steps or endless cleanup. It’s straightforward baking that works every single time. If you’re used to making easy vanilla cupcakes or following a cupcake recipe for parties, this one feels like a natural upgrade. It’s the kind of treat that makes friends ask for seconds and family members sneak into the kitchen for ‘just one more.’ In fact, it has the same comfort factor that people love about a leche flan recipe—creamy, indulgent, and familiar. You don’t need to be an expert to make them; you just need a little patience and a love for good food.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Dulce de Leche Cupcakes Recipe
3) Ingredients for Dulce de Leche Cupcakes
4) How to Make Dulce de Leche Cupcakes
5) Tips for Making Dulce de Leche Cupcakes
6) Making Dulce de Leche Cupcakes Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Dulce de Leche Cupcakes
8) Try these desserts next!
9) Dulce de Leche Cupcakes
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

These cupcakes bring caramel flavor through dulce de leche filling.
They fall under easy cupcake recipes and work for beginners.
Vanilla cake stays soft and moist with simple ingredients.
Great for birthdays, gatherings, or any sweet craving.

2) Easy Dulce de Leche Cupcakes Recipe

I call this one of my favorite easy cupcake recipes because it feels like comfort food wrapped in a little paper liner. You don’t need a mixer with twenty attachments or rare ingredients. Instead, you get an easy path from flour and sugar to golden cupcakes filled with rich caramel cream. Twice in this opening, I’ll say it again—this belongs among the best easy cupcake recipes.

When I first baked them in my own kitchen, the smell filled the room. Vanilla mixed with sugar carried me back to family birthdays, and I knew I had a keeper. Every cupcake carried just the right balance of sweetness. That’s why I keep making them, and why I keep sharing them here at Elena Cooks.

I love how recipes like this open doors. They remind us that baking doesn’t need to feel stressful. It can be simple, tasty, and even a little fun when you pipe caramel into warm cupcakes.

3) Ingredients for Dulce de Leche Cupcakes

All-purpose flour provides structure. Without it, the cupcake would collapse under the caramel. It’s the base that holds everything together.

Baking powder works quietly but powerfully. It lifts the cupcakes as they bake, giving you a soft crumb that feels light.

Salt may feel small but it matters. It sharpens the sweetness, letting caramel and vanilla shine.

Unsalted butter adds richness. When creamed with sugar, it creates that fluffy base that makes cupcakes tender.

Sugar sweetens but also builds texture. Creamed with butter, it traps air that makes the batter rise.

Eggs bring moisture and hold the ingredients together. Each egg adds body and flavor.

Vanilla extract ties the cupcake together. It makes the base fragrant and warm.

Whole milk softens the crumb and keeps each bite tender. It mixes the batter smoothly.

Dulce de leche fills the center. Sweet, sticky, and caramel rich, it defines this recipe.

Whipped cream or frosting finishes the cupcakes. A topping balances the filling and adds joy to the presentation.

4) How to Make Dulce de Leche Cupcakes

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and place cupcake liners into a muffin tin. Lining the tin helps the cupcakes lift and hold shape.

Step 2. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Mixing dry ingredients separately keeps the batter even.

Step 3. In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. This builds a strong, smooth base.

Step 4. Add dry ingredients in parts, alternating with milk. Start and finish with flour. The batter becomes creamy and thick.

Step 5. Fill cupcake liners two-thirds full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes. A toothpick inserted should come out clean.

Step 6. Cool cupcakes fully. Cut a small circle from each center, then spoon in dulce de leche. Press the top piece back in gently.

Step 7. Finish with whipped cream or frosting. Drizzle more dulce de leche if you want the cupcakes to feel indulgent.

5) Tips for Making Dulce de Leche Cupcakes

I’ve learned a few tricks over the years. Let the butter reach room temperature before you cream it. Cold butter won’t trap air the same way. The texture changes everything.

Don’t overmix the batter. Too much stirring creates dense cupcakes. Mix just until smooth and then stop. This single step makes a difference you’ll notice.

Fill each liner evenly. If you go too high, the batter spills. Too low, and the cupcakes stay flat. Two-thirds fills them just right. These are small details, but they help make your cupcakes part of easy cupcake recipes worth repeating.

6) Making Dulce de Leche Cupcakes Ahead of Time

I’ve prepped these a day before parties, and they hold up well. Bake the cupcakes, let them cool, and store them covered. Wait until the day you serve them to add the filling and topping. That way, the caramel stays rich and the topping doesn’t lose shape.

If you like planning ahead, freeze the unfilled cupcakes. Wrap them tightly. When ready, thaw, fill, and decorate. They taste just as good as fresh. Trust me, I’ve done it for busy weekends when dessert needed to be ready fast.

Doing the work in stages takes pressure off. You bake, you store, you finish later. Simple, smart, and it keeps the cupcakes tasting fresh.

7) Storing Leftover Dulce de Leche Cupcakes

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer, place them in the fridge. The caramel firms slightly, but the flavor stays deep.

If you prefer cupcakes softer, let them sit out for ten minutes before eating. The texture improves at room temperature. A little patience pays off.

Freezing is possible too. Just skip the whipped cream or frosting before freezing. Add it after thawing. That way, the topping stays fresh and light.

8) Try these desserts next!

9) Dulce de Leche Cupcakes