Heavenly Salted Caramel Chocolate Chunk Muffins Recipe - Dave's Grill

Ingredients

• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil (or melted butter)
• ½ cup (50 g) cocoa powder (unsweetened)
• ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk (or milk with 1 tsp vinegar)
• ½ cup (120 ml) hot water or coffee (optional, for deeper chocolate flavor)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup (130 g) chocolate chunks or chips
• 12 soft caramels, unwrapped (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 tbsps heavy cream
• Flaky sea salt for sprinkling
• Additional chocolate chunks (optional)