Caramel-Pecan Cupcakes - cooking recipe

Ingredients

CUPCAKES
1 1/4 cups coarsely chopped, toasted pecans
1 cup sugar, divided
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup sour cream
FROSTING
3 egg yolks
6 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons water, divided
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut up,softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preparation

Heat oven to 350\u00b0F degrees.
Grease 12-cup muffin pan or line with baking cups.
Place 1 cup of the pecans and 1/4 cup of the sugar in food processor.
Pulse until finely ground and fluffy, being careful not to make paste.
In large bowl, beat remaining 3/4 cup sugar and 1/2 cup butter at medium speed 5 to 6 minutes or until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla.
In medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and 1 cup ground pecans.
At low speed, beat sour cream into sugar mixture alternately with flour mixture.
Spoon into muffin cups, filling two-thirds full.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool on wire rack 10 minutes.
Remove from pan; cool completely.
To make frosting, in large bowl beat egg yolks at medium-high speed 5 minutes or until light, fuffy and pale colored.
Meanwhile, in small saucepan, combine 6 tablespoons sugar and 1 tablespoon of the water.
Cook over medium-high heat, without stirring, 4 to 6 minutes or until sugar turns golden amber color.
Remove from heat; carefully add remaining 3 tablespoons water.
Return to heat; cook, stirring, until sugar is dissolved.
Slowly add sugar mixture to beaten egg yolks, beating at medium-high speed 5 minutes or until mixture has cooled.
Add 1/2 cup butter a few pieces at a time; add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
Beat until smooth.
Spread each cupcake with thick layer of frosting.
Very finely chop remaining 1/4 cup pecans; roll edges of cupcakes in nuts.
TIP: To toast pecans, spread on baking sheet; bake at 375\u00b0F.
for 7 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown.