Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Name: Caramel Apple Cupcakes
Ingredients: Fresh Apple Cake:; 1/2 cup butter, melted; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose soft-wheat flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped; Paper baking cups; Vegetable cooking spray; Old-Fashioned Caramel Frosting:; 1 cup butter; 1 (16-oz.) package dark brown sugar; 1/2 cup evaporated milk; 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; 1 tablespoon light corn syrup; 4 cups powdered sugar; Toppings:; Toasted pecans; Fresh crab apples (optional)

23 ingredients

5 steps

Ingredients

Fresh Apple Cake:
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose soft-wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped
Paper baking cups
Vegetable cooking spray
Old-Fashioned Caramel Frosting:
1 cup butter
1 (16-oz.) package dark brown sugar
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
4 cups powdered sugar
Toppings:
Toasted pecans
Fresh crab apples (optional)

Directions

1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together first 5 ingredients in a large bowl until blended. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; add to butter mixture, stirring until blended. Stir in apple. Place paper baking cups in 2 (12-cup) muffin pans, and coat with cooking spray; spoon batter into cups, filling two-thirds full. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely.
2

To prepare frosting, melt butter in a 3-qt. heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Stir in evaporated milk, baking soda, and corn syrup; bring to a boil. Remove from heat, and let cool completely (about 1 hour). Transfer to a bowl. Gradually add powdered sugar to caramel mixture, beating at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Beat at high speed 2 minutes or until creamy. Use immediately. Makes 3 cups.
3

Frost each cupcake with Old-Fashioned Caramel Frosting. Top each with toasted pecans and, if desired, 1 fresh crab apple.
4

Most of the time at
5

we toast pecans and other nuts before using them because toasting really brings out the flavor. You can toast them in a skillet over medium-high heat, tossing them until you begin to detect their aroma, or bake them at 350 degrees about 4 to 5 minutes or until toasted, stirring occasionally.