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!!!