To make the vanilla cupcakes
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C) and prepare a cupcake pan with liners.
2. Add the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt to a large
mixer bowl and combine. Set aside.
3. Add the milk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract and eggs to a
medium sized bowl and combine.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and beat
until well combined.
5. Slowly add the water to the batter and mix on low speed
until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to make sure
everything is well combined. Please note that the batter will be very thin.
6. Fill the cupcake liners about 3/4 and bake for 15-17
minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
7. Remove the cupcakes from oven and allow to cool for 2
minutes, then remove to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
For Salted Caramel
8. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add brown sugar and stir to combine
9. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly Add heavy cream, vanilla and salt and stir to combine completely
10. Remove from heat and let cool slightly before transferring to a bowl or jar to cool to room temperature.
For Salted Caramel Buttercream
11. In the bowl of stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter on medium-high speed for 1 minute
12. Reduce speed to low and add confectioner's sugar one cup at a time mixing until combined. Increase speed to medium-high and mix until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
13. Stop mixer and add salted caramel. Whip on medium speed to combine and then increase speed to high and mix for 2-3 minutes until buttercream is light and fluffy. If buttercream is too thick, add 1-2 TBSP whole milk. If too thin, add more confectioner's sugar.
14. Pipe buttercream onto cooled cupcakes