Apple Pie Cupcakes

I think I posted a recipe for apple pie cupcakes once or twice before BUT these have salted caramel buttercream frosting!  Sort of like a caramel apple pie cupcake with buttercream.  Yum!  Dessert Now Dinner Later may have come up with a recipe that is pretty close to perfect fall cupcake.

Apple Pie Cupcakes

Makes about 14 cupcakes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp apple pie spice {or substitute with a pinch of each of these spices: nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves}
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup buttermilk (or combine 1/3 cup milk + 1 teaspoon white vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes)
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt – I used non-fat here

• 2 medium sized apples, peeled, cored and diced
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• lemon juice from a quarter lemon
• 1/2 Tbsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp apple pie spice {or substitute with a pinch of each of these spices: nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves}

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup salted caramel sauce, at room temperature (I used store-bought)
• pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 to 2 cups of powdered sugar
• 1 Tbsp heavy cream

• Chopped pecans or walnuts
• Salted caramel sauce for garnish
• Apple pie filling for garnish
• Apple slices for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line cupcake pan with paper cups.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, apple pie spice, and salt.
3. In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt butter in the microwave in 20 second increments until melted. Whisk in sugar. Mix in eggs one at a time until well mixed. Pour in vanilla, buttermilk, and yogurt until combined. Slowly stir in dry ingredients until no lumps remain. Batter will be thick.
4. Divide batter among cupcake liners, filling each 2/3 full.
5. Bake in preheated oven for about 17 to 19 minutes or when a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool in muffin tin several minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Allow to cool completely before filling and frosting.

1. In a medium saucepan, place chopped apples, butter, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and apple pie spice together. Cook over medium heat for about 5 to 8 minutes, until apples are tender. Stir occasionally. Allow mixture to cool.

1. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer or with your hand mixer, cream butter on medium high speed for about 3 to 4 minutes. Add vanilla extract and salted caramel sauce; mix until combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
2. Add 1 cup of powdered sugar and salt; beat on low until powdered sugar is incorporated. Add heavy cream and then add more powdered sugar until desired consistency is achieved.
3. Increase speed to medium, and beat until smooth and well combined for another 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
4. Prepare a piping bag and fill with frosting.

1. Using a small knife, cut and remove a circle in the center of each cupcake.
2. Fill with apple filling.
3. Pour a layer of salted caramel over the apples.
4. Pipe frosting on top. ( I used a Wilton 1M tip )
5. Drizzle with more salted caramel sauce and add optional toppings if desired.