Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Caramel Apple Mini Cupcakes


How stinkin' cute are these?!?  I had a Back to School picnic to go to and brought these.  I've made the full size version in the past but figured I could get people to eat 2 or 3 minis (and I was right!).  

I apologize for the severe lack of process pictures lately.  I've been getting caught up in the baking and realize at the end that I haven't taken any.  Anyway, there's nothing tricky or odd about these so there's really no need for extra pictures.

Enjoy!

Cupcake
3-4 Granny Smith apples
2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup apple cider 
1 teaspoon vanilla

Frosting
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
4 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons cider
3 1/2-4 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Drizzle
1/2 cup evaporated milk
4 ounces individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped

For cupcakes:
  • Heat oven to 350.  Line 24 mini cupcake or 12 regular cupcake tins.
  • Rinse and core apples.  Bake 30-40 minutes or until soft.  Peel and puree.
  • Sift together flour, sugar, spices, baking soda, and salt. 
  • Slightly beat eggs.  Add oil, cider, vanilla, and one cup of pureed apple.  Stir to combine.
  • Combine wet and dry ingredients.  Mix only until combined; do not over mix.  
  • Fill liners 2/3 full.  Bake mini cupcakes 12-14 minutes, regular cupcakes 18-20 minutes.
For frosting:
  • Melt butter in small saucepan.  Add sugar and milk and cook on low until sugar dissolves.  Stir in cider.
  • In a stand mixer on low mix butter mixture and sugar until combined.  Turn to medium-high and beat until full.  Frosting may be a little loose, even with the sugar, so chill for a few minutes if necessary.  
For drizzle:
  • Combine milk and caramels in saucepan.  Cook on low until smooth.  Remove from heat and let sit 5 minutes.  Drizzle over iced cupcakes.  

This recipe was adapted from Caramel Appletini Cupcakes.


2 comments:

CB said...

So glad you liked these cupcakes! They are one of my favorites. :)
/Clara

Kristi said...

Those sound DELICIOUS!!