Looking for an easy fall cupcake? Look no further than Tastes of Lizzy T for these awesome cupcakes made from a box mix flavored with apple juice instead of water (why didn’t I ever think of that?). The buttercream frosting is also flavored with apple juice and caramel. Yummy all the way around!
Caramel Apple Cupcakes
Cupcake Ingredients:
- 1 box Duncan Hines caramel cake mix
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup apple juice concentrate
- 1/2 cup milk (2% or higher fat)
- 1/3 cup butter, softened
- 1/3 cup shortening
- 1/3 cup butter, softened
- 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon apple juice concentrate
- 2/3 cup caramel ice cream topping
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
apple slices for decorating, optional
1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping for decorating, optional
Instructions
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the cake mix, eggs, apple juice concentrate, milk and butter. Beat until well combined, about 2 minutes.
Place cupcake wrappers in a cupcake pan and scoop the batter evenly into the wrappers, filling about 2/3 of the way full. (I did not want mine to overflow so actually made 26 cupcakes instead of 24.)
Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes, or until the top of the cupcake bounces back when you touch it.
While the cupcakes are baking, prepare the buttercream. In the bowl of a stand mixer, whip the butter and shortening until it is creamy, about 2 minutes. Add in the powdered sugar, apple juice concentrate, caramel topping and salt. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the frosting is well-mixed. (This frosting will not get very light and airy because there is no cream in it. It should be very smooth.)
Once the cupcakes have cooled, frost the cupcakes with the prepared buttercream.
If desired, right before serving decorate the tops of the cupcakes with apple slices and caramel topping. Refrigerate until serving.
Notes