Apple Pie Cupcakes

Let's begin on the couch where I sit and have a ritual morning cup of coffee while reading some kind of cookbook or craft book. The one time I choose to be completely unaware of the growing mess my children are making throughout the house. Why a person would put their pajamas in the hamper is beyond me; they look much nicer on the dining room floor. And my children agree. There it's settled then. We'll all be careless for this ten minute cup of coffee... so that I can THINK!!! And these Apple Pie Cupcakes are what I thought about. I had seen different versions of this idea around the Internet. After combining different components from some of the recipes that are out there I came up with my own. I made these for my mother in law's birthday dinner and let me just say, everyone had seconds. Yes!! Success. You must try them.There are three different levels of flavor in each bite. A spicy moist cake bottom layer. A sweet and tart apple pie center. Finished with a sweet caramel butter cream. So good...TRY THEM!

To bake the cake you'll need:

 Spice cake mix or use your favorite recipe

Ingredients to bake cake

Small box butterscotch pudding mix

Cupcake liners

 Cupcake pans

To make the Apple Pie Filling:

4 tbsp. butter

4 tsp. cinnamon

6 tbsp. sugar

6 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and diced

To make the Caramel Butter Cream:

1 Stick Butter, softened

1/2 C Shortening

2 tsp. Good quality vanilla

16 oz. Powdered sugar

2-4 Tbsp. Heavy cream

1/3 cup caramel ice cream topping or favorite recipe 

Now preheat your oven to the cake recipes specifications. I always bake cakes at 325.

I used a box mix to make my cupcakes. It was super simple. I followed the box direction but added my butterscotch pudding mix to the dry cake mix before I started. I generously filled my lined cupcake tins with cake batter and baked as directed.

Then I made my pie filling.

Heat your butter in a medium skillet. Add the cinnamon and sugar and cook for 1 minute. Next, add the apples and mix to evenly coat each apple. Cook for about 10 minutes. Let this cool while you prepare the cupcakes.

I just cut all the way around the top of the cupcake at an angle to take out a pyramid shaped piece of cake. Just eat those.. no one will know:) 

Next fill each cupcake with equal portions of filling. Don't be stingy with the juices.

Now for that delicious caramel butter cream.

In stand mixer or with hand held mixer, cream your butter, shortening, and vanilla together until smooth. Then alternate sifting in powdered sugar and cream until all of the powdered sugar is gone and you have the right consistency for piping. Pipe a generous amount of frosting on top of each cupcake.

And Voila! The Best Cupcakes Ever!!

Ultimate Caramel Apple Tutorial

I thought that this would be a great tutorial this week.  First, I just happen to love caramel apples and it is apple season.  Secondly, people love to receive edible gifts, especially at the holidays.  These deluxe caramel apples make a great hostess gift for parties, gifts for friends, co-workers, teachers, etc. 

To make the apples you need to melt the caramels according to the package directions.  Use a bowl that isn't much bigger than the apple. 

Dip the clean apple into the caramel.  You will probably need a spoon to coat the whole apple. 

If you just want nuts, you can then roll it (while the caramel is hot) around on a plate of nuts.  I also think that rolling it in granola is great.  It's kind of like an apple crisp caramel apple. 

Today I made a TURTLE APPLE.  After dipping it in the caramel, I rolled it in pecans.  Then I dipped it is melted dark chocolate. 

WHITE CHOCOLATE CASHEW CRANBERRY APPLE

For this apple, I dipped it in white chocolate, rolled it in cashews and cranberries and then drizzled more caramel and dark chocolate over the apple. 

I love the look created by making a bow onto the apple stick.

It is also really fun and colorful to roll them in sprinkles.

When you add nuts, you will get a lumpy apple.  For the really smooth look, stick to chocolate or caramel.  Another great idea that is really cheap and easy is to use frosting.  If you take a jar of premade frosting and microwave it for about 15-30 seconds so that it starts to melt you can dip the apple in it.  This is a nice option for little kids because it is much softer than caramel. 

COSTS

I made 6 apples for $20.00.  I know that sounds pricey, but it was mostly due to the cost of the nuts.  Also, I have left over nuts, so it really was more like $15.00 for 6.  Gourmet apples purchased at the store or online start at $11.00.  The pecan version that I made is about $19.00 an apple online.  Same with the cranberry version.  So, basically you are making 6 apples for the price of one. 

SOME FLAVOR IDEAS

Sprinkles

Smores - Graham Crackers, mini marshmallows and milk chocolate

Black Forest - Caramel, dried cherries, and dark chocolate

Buckeye - caramel, rice crispies, and peanut butter

Rolled in Caramel Corn

Rolled in Chopped Candy Bars

German Chocolate - coconut, caramel, and chocolate

Rolled in M&Ms

Rolled in Crushed Cookies - Oreos, Pecan Sandies, etc.

SOME DECORATING IDEAS

At Mrs. Prindables, you can pay $30.00 and get an apple with a little stuffed animal on top.  You could easily do this yourself.  They also put flowers on the sticks.  Another idea would be to make an edible figurine out of fondant or modeling chocolate.