Spiced Apple Cupcakes with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

🧂 Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cup sugar
• 1 ½ cup applesauce
• ½ cup butter

  softened
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons apple juice
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 24 M&Ms

  for topping
• 8 oz cream cheese

  softened
• ¼ cup butter

  softened
• 2 teaspoon vanilla
• 16 oz powdered sugar
• ½ cup caramel sauce

Instructions

• 1 Heat oven to 350 degrees, then line 24 regular-size muffin cups with paper
  baking cups or grease cups with shortening.
• 2 In large mixing bowl on medium speed, beat the butter and sugar together until
  light and fluffy, around 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs until thoroughly
  incorporated, then slowly add the applesauce, apple juice, and vanilla.
• 3 In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt,
  cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, then add it to the wet ingredient in three
  batches, mixing until just combined.
• 4 Divide the batter between the muffin cups, filling them about ¾ full, and bake
  for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  Cool completely.
• 5 In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla
  until light and fluffy, then slowly mix in the powdered sugar until fully
  incorporated. Add the caramel sauce and gently stir to combine. Frost each
  cupcake, then top with some M&M's and enjoy!

Nutrition Info