Monday, August 6, 2012

Caramel Apple Cupcakes


I love August! Not only because its my birth month but it also means Fall is right around the corner! Which is my favorite time of year! Hay rides, apple picking, crisp weather, changing leaves and definitely anything Halloween! 

I'm getting started a little early this year on fall recipes for a couple of reasons, but mostly because I'm impatient and wish it was Fall NOW.

And what says Autumn more than a caramel apple? A tart crisp apple with chewy caramel. Mmm... Plus these are way easier to eat.

So here they are...

For the Cupcakes:
1 cup Apple Mush (recipe to follow)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup apple juice
1 teaspoon vanilla

For the Mush:
Rinse and core 2 apples. Place them in an ovenproof baking dish with a 1/4 inch of water and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until soft. Remove the apples from the oven and let cool slightly. Remove the peel and smash the apples with a potato masher. Measure out one cup and set aside.

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt and whisk to combine.
  2. Crack the eggs in your stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment. Whisk slightly to break the yolks. Add in the oil, apple juice, vanilla and cooled apple mush and mix on low to combine. 
  3. Pour the dry ingredients, in 3 batches, with the mixer on low until incorporated but not over-mixed. Scoop into your cupcake liners, filling 3/4 full to create a nice dome. Bake for 20 minutes, rotating the pans after 15. The cupcakes are finished when lightly browned and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.


Let cupcakes cool.

Start the caramel:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
6 ounces sweetened condensed milk
1 Tablespoon heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt

  1. Melt the butter over medium heat in a non-stick pan. Once your butter has melted, stir in the brown sugar until it is completely coated in butter. Add in corn syrup, continuously stirring and the condensed milk. Stir to combine and slowly pour in the heavy cream. 
  2. Boil the caramel, stirring for about 20 minutes until the temperature reaches 248 degrees. It is very important to use your thermometer. 
  3. Remove from heat and gently stir in the vanilla and salt. Transfer to a bowl and continue to stir until the caramel starts to firm, about 2 minutes.


Using a knife, frost each cupcake with the cupcake. Sprinkle warm caramel with nuts if desired, work quickly and use your freezer to help set up the caramel and prevent dripping. Continue until all cupcakes are frosted. Top each with a Popsicle stick to give the final "Caramel Apple" look and ENJOY!

Happy Fall y'all!!!



21 comments :

  1. What a creative cupcake! I can't wait until Fall. I love all these flavors.

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  2. I love caramel apples! cannot wait to try these

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  3. These cupcakes are FABULOUS!
    Love your recipe :)

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  4. Awesome ! Pinned - can't wait to make them, thanks for sharing.

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  5. Those sound amazing! I'll have to try them this fall for sure.

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  6. These sound beyond amazing! Pinning and I'm going to make them the second September comes around!

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  7. Thank you all! It's great to see some fellow Fall lovers... I'm just a little obsessed haha

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  8. I love caramel!! Thanks for sharing this great recipe! Liz

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  9. I am so ready for Fall to be here now!! I love that you are getting a jump start on the apple recipes! These cupcakes sound awesome!!! Cute touch with the popsicle stick:-)

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  10. These look so delicious!! Makes me ready for fall. I would love for you to link up to my linky party at The Mandatory Mooch. Still open for another day!!

    http://www.mandatorymooch.blogspot.com/2012/08/tasty-thursdays-3.html

    Thanks, Nichi

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  11. These look amazing! :) We would love to invite you to join us on Saturday Show & Tell on Cheerios and Lattes! I know my readers would love your awesome ideas! Have a great weekend!
    Mackenzie :)
    http://www.cheeriosandlattes.com/saturday-show-tell-23/

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  12. Linked to both of your parties! Thank you so much for the invitations :)

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  13. These are so cute. Caramel apple cupcakes are on my to-bake list. LOVE that you used a pops. stick!

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  14. These look great Veronica! We made some last year and they tasted amazing - Fall is my favorite time of year too! Thanks so much for sharing at Mom On Timeout!

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  15. Thanks for linking up to Tasty Thursdays at The Mandatory Mooch. Hope you will link up again this week. The party just went live at http://www.mandatorymooch.blogspot.com/2012/08/tasty-thursday-4.html
    Thanks, Nichi

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  16. Yes! I am loving these! We are having a pumpkin party in Oct and I am going to have to make this for snacking! Thank you for sharing at our
    Pinteresting Party!

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  17. Yum! We love caramel apples around here and I can't wait to try these yummy looking cupcakes. Thanks for sharing at Creative Thursday last week. Have a wonderful week.

    Michelle

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  18. These look great! I love fall too, and this is such a cute idea! Thanks for sharing at our Pinteresting Link Party!

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