"Bananas keep these cupcakes moist and tender while salted caramel and caramel buttercream frosting lend a sweet finish...."
INGREDIENTS
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2 cups sugar
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2 tablespoons light corn syrup
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2 tablespoons water
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1 cup heavy cream
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1 teaspoon coarse salt plus more to taste
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1 stick cold unsalted butter cut into tablespoons
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*special equipment: candy thermometer
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2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
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1 3/4 cups sugar
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4 eggs
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2 teaspoons vanilla (see note)
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4 overripe frozen bananas, thawed and mashed (see note)
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1/2 cup rum
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1 1/2 cup cake flour
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1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
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1 tablespoon baking powder
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1 teaspoon salt
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3/4 cup milk
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1 stick unsalted butter, softened
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1 pound powdered sugar plus extra
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1/2 caramel sauce recipe (or about 1 cup bottled caramel sauce)