chocolate caramel koala ‘self-saucing’ cupcakes for two
on Oct 16, 2014, Updated Jul 30, 2019
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When I get cooped up inside, I turn into a ten-year-old. Well, according to Mr. Scrummy I do, anyhow. My bottom lip curls up and out, my shoulders hunch up and I moan and groan (and moan and groan a little bit more) until Mr. Scrummy agrees to go with me on a little trip out somewhere. Somewhere … anywhere!
So a few weeks ago, while we were still in Australia (yes, we’ve left and gone to live in the UK, but more about that some time later …) that grumpy ten-year-old in me came out in force. It was pouring down with rain in that sort of tropical downpour sort of way that is common over there in Perth Australia, but I was still really keen to go out. That might sound crazy, but when I’ve been working at home all week long, the last thing I want to do is stay in all day at the weekend, too. Even if I end up drenched, it seems!
But despite my whining and cajoling, Mr. Scrummy would not relent, not least because the AFL (Australian rules football) final was on TV. I could have stomped off in a huff by myself, of course (with the biggest umbrella I could find), but in the end I decided to just suck it up, behave like the adult I mostly pretend to be am and try to enjoy ‘the unique Aussie experience’ of watching the final while stuffing myself with hot dogs as is the tradition on these sorts of occasions.
And wouldn’t you know it, it wasn’t all that bad. I’m not a huge fan of hot dogs, but I guess it was marginally enjoyable, or at least bearable, to watch the one team slaughtering the other (sorry, Aussie footie fans, but that’s all the enthusiasm I can muster up).
I also decided, on a whim, to make these cute little chocolate muffins (muffins … cupcakes? Take your pick!) for dessert. Now it’s only fair to give full credit for this idea to a little hole-in-the-wall coffee shop we visited recently in one of Melbourne’s marvellous cutesy laneways (Degraves Street, as I remember). Shamefully, I’m afraid I didn’t note down the name of the coffee shop, but if anyone can tell me I’ll be happy to publish it. Anyway, Mr. Scrummy and I had a little giggle at the time because even though the cupcakes were called chocolate caramel koala ‘self-saucing’ cupcakes, what was really going on here was something a little different. But not, I have to add, any less delicious! (hence my copying of the idea!)
So basically I decided to make just two cakes because the finished muffins end up being pretty rich with the addition of the chocolate koala bear. This way, there’s no temptation to have a second (unless of course you make them when you’re by yourself at home!) The muffins themselves are ridiculously easy to make as you simply measure the ingredients into a small bowl with a tablespoon, stir it all together and divide the mixture between 2 cupcake wrappers. Twenty minutes later you’ve then got yourself two hot-out-of-the-oven moist and intensely chocolaty cupcakes to enjoy.
And now for the ‘self-saucing’ part. Hehe.
Push one chocolate caramel-filled koala bear into the top of each cupcake, then pop it into a microwave for about 30 seconds or so. Your chocolate muffin will now be topped and filled with oozy, melty chocolate and caramel and ready to enjoy either neat with a spoon or with a dollop of cream or ice cream on the top. Definitely a cheat’s self-saucing pudding … but absolutely delicious!
Now I know what you’re thinking: ‘Where on earth am I supposed to find a chocolate caramel koala bear when I live X,000 miles from Australia?’ OK, fair point. But I happen to know that in both Greece and in the UK you can get something similar to these Australian ‘Caramelo koalas’ by Cadbury’s called ‘Freddo frogs’. Improvise and I’m sure you’ll find something equally as (in)appropriate to top and stuff your cupcakes with!
chocolate caramel koala ‘self-saucing’ cupcakes for two
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons plain flour
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, unsweetened
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- a large pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon chocolate chips, totally optional!
- 3 tablespoons milk, I used almond but ordinary is fine
- 1 tablespoon oil, I used vegetable but any is fine
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ‘Caramelo Koalas’ or ‘Freddo Frogs’ or similar, caramel filled chocolate treats
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F/175C and line a muffin tin with 2 regular-sized cupcake liners of your choice. (put them in the centre of the tin if you can)
- Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a smallish bowl, then add the milk, oil and vanilla and stir until just combined.
- Divide the batter between the 2 cupcake liners, then bake for about 20 minutes or until a skewer stuck into the centre of a cupcake comes out clean.
- Leave to cool for at least ten minutes (longer is fine), then push one chocolate caramel koala (or substitute!) into the centre of each cupcake (I made a little slit with a knife first so that the koala slipped in better). Put on a plate and microwave for about 30 seconds or until the chocolate treat has melted into and over the cupcake (It's best to take the cupcake wrapper off first)
- Serve neat, with a ball of ice cream or a dribble of fresh cream. Don’t burn your mouth!
Notes
Nutrition
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I would absolutely stay in on a weekend if it meant getting to eat these cupcakes, Helen! That’s a fabulous idea with the self-saucing bit. I’m sure I’d have a pretty tough time finding koalas, but I’m thinking Rolos would work. They’re pretty much everywhere. 🙂 Hope you’re settling in to UK life (again) – can’t wait to hear an update! 🙂
Rolos would work just fine, Alyssa! You’d just have to balance a little (or big) pile on the top before the microwaving part. Thanks for the good wishes. We’re settling in now – still got things to do but we can do those a bit more slowly. 🙂
I’m glad you ended up having a decent time watching the final and eating hot dogs! haha Now these cupcakes are adorable — who can resist a koala bear than turns into a gooey, caramel-chocolate sauce? It’s brilliant, and whether you copied the idea or not makes no difference to me…I love it!
Aw, thanks Marcie. These are pretty irrestible, aren’t they? I’d better not make them too often!
Self saucing? LOVE this idea! I’m going to try Rolos and give these a shot 🙂
Ooh, how exciting! Do let me know what you think if you do try them! 🙂
Haha I love these! A friend brought me those caramel koalas from Australia and I, uh, ate them. But if I get my hands on more, these cupcakes are so happening!
Ha! Great excuse to ask your friend to bring you more!! Glad you like the idea! 🙂
These are pretty much the cutest thing I’ve ever seen! Love this cheater’s sauce!
Haha … thanks so much, Allison … a compliment indeed. I really enjoyed making these!
Chocolat et caramel, un duo gagnant! J’adore la déco
Merci, Eva! 🙂
C’est une très bonne idée ces muffins! Chocolat et caramel, un duo gagnant! J’adore la déco
Merci, Eva 🙂
I haven’t seen caramelo bears since I was a teenager which is a very long time ago. Love how the koala melts 🙂
Cute, aren’t they? 😉
Oh my gosh, you are my hero of the weekend! CARAMELLO KOALAS are the BEST!! And this self saucing idea is brilliant! (Doesn’t matter that some hole in the wall cafe in Melbourne sells these…) I just showed my friends and everyone thinks this is such an awesome idea! I have a feeling this is going to show up at many birthday parties to come….
Hi, Nagi! So happy you approve of these 😉 And I am almost blushing right now at the thought of you showing all your friends (blush, blush … you see!) Great idea, isn’t it? You just have to have a microwave on hand to get those koalas all nice and melted…
YUM! I adore these muffins/cupcakes! That melted Koala adds such a level of decadence to these – takes them from bliss to BLISS!!! And kudos to your 10 year old self for not being too upset at the nuking of the koala! 🙂
Hahaha … actually, Shashi, it did cross my mind that it was a shame to nuke the koalas!!!