Chocolate Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting and Chocolate Fudge Filling

INGREDIENTS

Eggs, large

1 1/2 tsp

Baking soda

2 1/2 cups

Buttercream base frosting

2 3/4 cups

Cake flour

1/2 cup

Caramel, salted

1 1/4 cups

Cocoa powder, unsweetened

3 1/4 cups

Granulated sugar

1 1/3 tbsp

Madagascar vanilla

5 cups

Powdered sugar

1 tsp

Sea salt

1 tsp

Sea salt, fine

2 1/4 cups

Shortening

2 tbsp

Vegetable oil

cut into 2-inch slices 1 cup salted butter, salted

1 1/4 cups

Butter, salted

3/4 cup

Heavy cream

1 3/4 cups

Milk

1 1/4 cups

Water, hot

2 pounds plus 1 cup powdered sugar