Bloom the gelatin by putting 2 tsp of plain gelatin in 2 tbsp of chilled water, in a bowl that can be safely heated (such as a ramekin). This can be water out of the refridgerator, or as I did, put some cubes of ice in a bowl of tap water, mix it around a little and take the 2 tbsp of water from the bowl. Do not stir the gelatin in the water.

After about five minutes, place the bowl of gelatin in a pot of simmering water to melt the gelatin.

When the gelatin is melted, remove the bowl from the pot and allow the gelatin to cool to room temperature, it shouldn’t take very long since it is only a couple of tablespoons of liquid.

Using either a stand mixer or an electric beater and a large bowl, beat the whipping cream at medium high speed (or you can do this by hand with a whisk, but its a lot of work). As the cream begins to thicken, add powdered sugar and gelatin, continue to whip. Let it get thicker, then add caramel sauce and butter. Stop mixing when it gets to a nice thick consistency. If you refrigerate this overnight it will become even more firm, but this is optional.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a medium sized bowl, whisk the flour and baking powder, set aside.

Put water, dates and baking soda in a pot, bring to a boil. Be aware it will somewhat foam up from the baking soda. Once it reaches a boil, turn the heat off and let it cool to room temperature.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar (beat it until light and fluffy). Beat in eggs one at a time. Mix in vanilla and about half of the flour mixture that you have set aside.

Mix in the cooled date mixture.

Mix in the rest of the flour mixture.

Fill a muffin pan with muffin cups. Fill each cup about 2/3 with the batter.

Bake until a knife dipped in the center of the muffins comes out clean, about 20 minutes.

Remove cupcakes from oven and from muffin pan. Allow them to cool on a rack for at least a few minutes so they do not crumble when cut with a knife.

Reheat your caramel sauce in the microwave or on the stove. Be careful not to microwave it for too long, it has a lot of sugar in it and will get very hot very quickly.

Draw a knife all the way through the top of each cupcake down to the bottom and create an x pattern, you can even twist the knife a little to create a nice well. Drop some hot caramel sauce on each cupcake, about 1-2 tablespoons for each one. Allow the caramel sauce to soak into the cupcakes and cool.

Add the frosting from above.