samoa cupcakes with caramel buttercream frosting

INGREDIENTS

and 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

and 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 tsp

baking powder

1/8 tsp

baking soda

1/4 tsp

salt

1/3 cup

unsalted butter, at room temperature

3/4 cup

granulated sugar

3 tbsp

vegetable oil

large eggs, at room temperature

1 tsp

vanilla extract

1/4 cup

skim milk

1/4 cup

buttermilk

3/4 cup

granulated sugar

3 tbsp

water

3 tbsp

butter (I used unsalted butter because that's what I had on hand - you can use salted butter or a combination of both unsalted + salted, if desired)

1/4 cup

+ 2 tablespoons heavy cream, combined in a small bowl

1/2 cup

unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 cups

powdered sugar

1/3 cup

caramel sauce

1/2 tsp

vanilla extract

1 tbsp

heavy whipping cream, if necessary

Chocolate sauce* (see Notes)

1/2 cup

toasted coconut