Caramel Apple Cupcakes

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon apple pie spice*
• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup Land O Lakes Butter, melted
• 1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping
• 1/4 cup Land O Lakes Half & Half or Fat Free Half & Half
• 3 Land O Lakes Eggs
• 1 large (1 1/2 cups) apple, peeled, cored, shredded
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 4 to 5 tablespoons Land O Lakes Half & Half or Fat Free Half & Half
• 2 tablespoons Land O Lakes Butter
• 2 1/2 to 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Heat oven to 350F.
2. Place paper baking cups into 24 muffin pan cups; set aside.
3. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and apple pie spice in bowl.
4. Set aside.
5. Combine all remaining cupcake ingredients except apples in another bowl.
6. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed.
7. Add flour mixture; stir until just moistened.
8. Stir in apples.
9. Fill each prepared muffin cup with about 1/4 cup batter.
10. Bake 15-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
11. Remove cupcakes from pans; cool completely.
12. Combine 1/2 cup brown sugar, 4 tablespoons half & half and 2 tablespoons butter in 1 1/2 quart saucepan.
13. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 4-5 minutes or until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved.
14. Remove from heat.
15. Stir in enough powdered sugar for desired frosting consistency, adding additional half & half, if necessary.
16. Stir in vanilla.
17. Frost cupcakes.
18. *Substitute 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg and a pinch of ground allspice.

flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, apple pie spice, brown sugar, butter, caramel ice cream topping, o lakes eggs, apple, brown sugar, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla

Taken from www.landolakes.com/recipe/1313/caramel-apple-cupcakes (may not work)