Recipe: Caramel Apple Pie Cupcakes

Caramel Apple Pie Cupcakes
From Paula Deen
Makes: 12 cupcakes
Active time: 18-20 min
Total Time: 38-42 min
Tools required: standard muffin pan, decorative paper liners, medium sized bowl, spatula, and oven thermometer

Ingredients:
Full box American Pie Applesauce Cake mix*
2 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 cups chopped juicy apples
Vanilla frosting (store bought, or follow the recipe below for homemade cream cheese frosting)
Caramel sauce
1/2 to 1 cup chopped walnuts
12 Popsicle sticks (optional)

Tip* If you can't find the cake mix, I used a Butter Pecan Cake mix because I couldn't find American Applesauce Cake mix in the store, and I followed the directions on the box for the Butter Pecan mix and then added apples, and they were still very delicious! But if you can find the Applesauce one, then follow the directions below:

Directions:
For cupcakes:
1. Preheat oven to 350*F. Line standard muffin pan with decorative paper liners (we used silver so it would look like a pie tin).

2. Combine eggs, oil, and chopped apples. Add mix. Fold together until dry ingredients are moistened. Batter will be sticky and lumpy.

3. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Remove from oven, cooling in pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to cooling rack and cool completely before decorating.

4. Frost the cupcakes

5. Sprinkle with walnuts and drizzle with caramel sauce.

6. Stick a popsicle stick in the middle for decoration (optional).

For Vanilla Cream Cheese frosting:
Ingredients:
1 8oz package of cream cheese
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups confectioners sugar

Directions:
1. Mix together softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and blended. Add vanilla.

2. Gradually add confectioners sugar a little at a time blending until smooth and creamy.


(I'm sorry this picture is blurry and sideways, it was taken with an iphone and for some reason does not want to turn right side up!)

Hope you enjoy this recipe! It is one of my new favorites :)