Autumn Apple Pecan Spice Cupcakes

• FOR THE APPLESAUCE:
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 large apples, peeled, cored, diced
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugr
• FOR THE BATTER & TOPPING:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves, yeah lots of spices!
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened, 1- 1/2 sticks
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup raisins, soaked in rum if you like!
• TOPPING:
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• combine in a small mixing bowl with a fork

1. MAKE THE APPLESAUCE: To a 12" skillet with a lid, add the tablespoon of butter and melt on medium high heat. Add the apples and brown sugar; stir to combine. Reduce the heat to medium low, stir and slightly cover. Simmer for about 20-30 minutes or until the apples are soft and the liquid has reduced to a caramel consistency. Remove to a mixing bowl and mash into a smooth consistency with some chunks visible. Use an immersion blender or a few pulses in the food processor will work. COOL to room temperature before adding to this recipe. Use 1- 1/2 cups of this mixture.
2. MAKE THE BATTER: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 12 jumbo muffin cups with paper liners. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt.
3. With an electric mixer on medium high speed, beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy; about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the eggs and vanilla and beat just until incorporated.
4. On low speed, in 5 increments, add the flour and applesauce; start and end with the flour mixture. Fold in the pecans and raisins by hand.
5. Fill each muffin cup 3/4 full. Sprinkle the pecan/sugar mixture on top of each. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. These cupcakes will bake to the top of the muffin cup almost flat like a cake.

butter, apples, light brown sugr, flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, ground ginger, ground cloves, salt, unsalted butter, sugar, light brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, pecans, raisins, pecans, brown sugar, maple syrup, combine

Taken from food52.com/recipes/38838-autumn-apple-pecan-spice-cupcakes (may not work)