Caramel Apple Cupcakes

• FOR THE CUPCAKES:
• 3 cups All-purpose Flour
• 1/2 teaspoons Baking Soda
• 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 3/4 cups Granulated Sugar
• 3/4 cups Light Brown Sugar
• 1/2 cups Vegetable Oil
• 1/2 cups Apple Sauce
• 1-1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
• 3 whole Eggs
• 3 cups Finely Chopped Granny Smith Apples
• _____
• FOR THE BUTTERCREAM:
• 1 stick Unsalted Butter, Softened
• 1 cup Light Brown Sugar
• 1/3 cups Heavy Cream
• 3-1/2 cups Confectioners Sugar
• 1 cup Chopped Pecans

1. For the cupcakes:
2. * Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
3. * Line cupcake pan with paper liners (this recipe makes 20).
4. * In large bowl combine: flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon and mix.
5. * In medium bowl combine: granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, apple sauce and vanilla and mix well.
6. * Add eggs to wet mixture one at a time and beat well after each addition.
7. * Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and gently mix until combined.
8. * Fold in chopped apples.
9. * Pour batter into prepared pans about 2/3 full.
10. * Bake for 18 minutes.
11. * Allow cupcakes to cool in pans 10 minutes then move to wire racks to continue cooling.
12. * Once cupcakes are cool frost with caramel buttercream.
13. For the caramel buttercream:
14. * In saucepan over medium heat and melt butter.
15. * Stir in brown sugar and heavy cream and keep over medium heat until sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes.
16. * Transfer mixture to mixing bowl.
17. * Gradually add confectioner's sugar 1 cup at a time and mix with electric mixer until incorporated.
18. * Frost cupcakes using an offset spatula.
19. * Insert wooden popsicle sticks and sprinkle with chopped pecans if desired.

allpurpose, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, sugar, light brown sugar, vegetable oil, apple sauce, vanilla, eggs, apples, butter, light brown sugar, heavy cream, confectioners sugar, pecans

Taken from tastykitchen.com/recipes/desserts/caramel-apple-cupcakes-2/ (may not work)