Apple Cupcakes

E's day care is having an end of summer party today, and some of his friends are going to be "graduating" from preschool.  They usually order pizza but most of the parents bring something too.  I signed up to bring apple cupcakes.  I saw the recipe here: Momfessionals. Andrea said they were great for back to school and getting into the fall spirit.  I agree.

Here is the recipe:

1/2 cup butter, softened 
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
4 eggs at room temperature
1 1/2 cups apple sauce
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp cloves

 

1) Preheat oven to 350 and line mini muffin tin with cupcake liners.  A good job for a little helper!

2) Cream together the sugars and butter.

 

3) Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.

4) Add applesauce.

5) Add dry ingredients (mix just until combined).

6) Place 1 tbsp of batter into each liner

7) Bake for about 10 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

8) Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.

Then make the Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting.
1/2 cup butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 brown sugar, packed
2 tsp vanilla (I only have vanilla bean paste,  it added those nice specks to the frosting)
4 cups powdered sugar

1) Beat together butter and cream cheese
2) Add sugar, vanilla, powdered sugar. Beat until smooth.
3) Pipe onto tops of cooled cupcakes.  I used a Ziploc bag with a hole cut in the corner.  For years I have been looking for a fancy piping bag with the correct attachment for frosting cupcakes, who knew a plastic bag and scissors would be all you'd need?!

I made mini ones too so they would be easier for the kids to eat.

They turned out pretty well. Let's hope the kids enjoy them!