caramel i used in the cupcakes (and also on the cakes). wanting to make sure the recipe was in tip top shape, i waited until this year to bake the cake (once again) for my husband's birthday request and make sure the recipe worked. yes, he requested the same cake as last year :) worked like a charm!
i made way more than needed (for my cake and cupcakes) so that i could jar it, gift it, and let him spread this delicious sweetness on whatever he darn well wanted to, far after his birthday. so far it's been stirred into oatmeal and spread on toast for a late night "kind 