Cream Soda Toffee Cupcakes

Cream Soda Toffee Cupcakes
18 cupcakes

* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
* 1/2 tsp. baking soda
* 1/2 cup butter, softened
* 3/4 cup granulated sugar
* 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
* 3 eggs
* 1 Tbsp. molasses
* 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
* 1/2 cup buttermilk
* 1/2 cup cream soda (not diet)
* 3/4 cup toffee pieces
* 1 recipe Brown Butter Frosting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line eighteen 2-1/2-inch muffin cups with paper bake cups; set aside. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; set aside. In large bowl beat butter with electric mixer on medium to high 30 seconds. Add sugars; beat until well combined. Beat in eggs, one at a time, on low until combined. Beat in molasses and vanilla.
Alternately add flour mixture, buttermilk, and cream soda to butter mixture, beating on low speed after each addition until combined. Stir in 1/2 cup of the toffee. Fill cups 3/4 full. Bake about 18 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool in pans on racks 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool. Frost; top with remaining toffee. Makes 18 cupcakes.

Brown Butter Frosting: For brown butter, in saucepan heat 1/4 cup butter over medium-low heat until lightly browned, about 8 minutes; cool. In bowl beat 1/4 cup softened butter with mixer on medium 30 seconds. Add cooled brown butter; beat until combined. Add 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and dash salt. Beat in 1 to 2 tablespoons buttermilk until spreadable. Use immediately. If frosting begins to set up, stir in a small amount of boiling water. Makes 1 1/4 cups frosting.

Source: Better Homes & Gardens cookbook