SPAM® Cupcakes Topped with Irresistible Salted Caramel Frosting

Ingredients

• Cupcakes:
• 4 ounces fully cooked luncheon meat (such as SPAM®), grated
• 1 (15.25 ounce) package devil's food cake mix
• 1 ⅓ cups water
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 large eggs
• Frosting:
• ½ cup butter
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar, or as needed

Step 1

Heat your oven to 350°F and get a 24-cup muffin tin ready by greasing it or lining it with paper liners. Next, warm up a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the grated SPAM and cook, stirring occasionally, until it turns nice and crispy—this usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Once it’s golden, transfer the SPAM to a paper towel-lined plate to cool completely.

Step 2

In a big bowl, mix together the cake mix, water, mayonnaise, and eggs using an electric mixer on low speed until everything is just combined. Then crank it up to medium and beat until the batter is smooth, about 2 minutes. Gently fold in about two-thirds of the crispy SPAM, saving the rest for later. Spoon the batter evenly into your muffin cups.

Step 3

Pop the cupcakes in the oven and bake for around 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let them cool in the pan on a wire rack until they’re completely cool to the touch.

Step 4

While the cupcakes are cooling, make the salted caramel frosting. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, then add the brown sugar and heavy cream. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then let the sauce simmer without stirring for about a minute. Take it off the heat, stir in the salt, and let it cool completely.

Step 5

Once the caramel sauce is cool, transfer it to a bowl and gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar, about a cup at a time, until the frosting is thick and spreadable. Slather the frosting over your cooled cupcakes and sprinkle the remaining crispy SPAM on top. Enjoy!