Ooey Gooey Caramel Apple Cupcakes

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If you are enjoying this series, please leave me a comment with a flavor you would like made from a boxed cake mix.  I’m always looking for new ideas.

My birthday is next week, but I got an early birthday present a few weeks ago.  A new, bigger Kitchenaid mixer.  It’s professional grade because I found when using my basic model that it couldn’t handle bread dough very well.   And, best of all my new one is pink!

Technically, I had used my new mixer to make a quick box mix of brownies a couple weeks ago, just to make sure everything was working properly with the mixer.  But, that one doesn’t count because I really wasn’t putting it through its paces with making a large batter and frosting as well.  I’m counting this recipe as the first time I’ve officially used it in making something.

On to the recipe!  It’s time for another round of Crazy Cupcakes from a Box!  This one is perfect for Fall.  It has delicious sticky caramel and apples baked right in the cupcakes.  Then, it’s topped off with salted caramel buttercream frosting. So delicious!

I was running through Pinterest checking out some amazing Fall desserts, when I cam across this pin from Just My Crazy Kitchen. This recipe looked amazing, especially with the caramel apple filling inside the cupcakes.  I couldn’t wait to try the filling! My recipe is heavily adapted from Just My Crazy Kitchen’s recipe.

For this recipe, I used what apples I had on hand, which were Granny Smith.  I found the chopped pieces stayed very crunchy after baking in the cupcakes as well as in the filling.  Most of my taste testers really liked the crunchiness of the apples, but Nate and I thought a softer apple would be better.  When I make these again, I’m going to use softer apples.

The cupcake is a very spicy flavor with the cinnamon and nutmeg, plus it has little bits of apple baked right in as well as applesauce in the batter in place of oil.  The flavor reminds me of a spiced cider, and the frosting just enhances that flavor so well.

Nate took them to work, so I had quite a few taste testers trying the recipe out.  It was definitely a favorite. There were many comments that were things like “this is the best cupcake ever!”  I think it’s that gooey caramel apple center.  I loved that part of the cupcake mixed with the salted buttercream frosting.  Just heavenly!

Caramel Apple Cupcakes
Yields: 24 cupcakes

Cupcake Batter
1 white box mix
3 eggs
3 oz apple sauce
2 tbs caramel sauce
3 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 cup water
1 lg apple peeled and chopped

1.  Preheat oven to 350.
2.  Peel and chop a large apple.
3. Combine all ingredients, mix on low to combine for about 30 seconds.  Then, mix on medium for 2 minutes.
4.  Fill each cupcake 2/3 full of batter.
5.  Bake 16-18 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
6.  Allow to completely cool.

Filling
1 lg apple
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
4 tbs butter
2 tbs milk mixed with 2 tbs corn starch
2 tsp vanilla

1.  Peel and chop 1 large apple.
2.  Combine both sugars, butter, vanilla, and apple in a saucepan on medium heat.  Stir occasionally.
3.  When butter and sugars have melted and combined, add the milk and cornstarch mixture and blend well. 4.  When it reaches a boil, stir constantly and boil for 4-5 minutes until apples are softened.
5.  Allow to completely cool.

Assemble cupcakes and filling: 

1.  Use a cupcake or apple corner and remove about 1 inch of the center on each cupcake.
2.  Fill each center with about a tablespoon of the caramel apple mixture.

Salted Caramel Buttercream Frosting
1 cup butter softened
4-5 cups powdered sugar
3-4 tbs milk
1/4 cup caramel sauce
1 tsp salt

1.  Whip butter until it’s light and fluffy.
2.  Add 2 cups of powdered sugar and mix.
3.  Add caramel sauce and salt.
4.  Add 2 cup of powdered sugar.
5.  Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time.
6.  Beat for 4-5 minutes, scraping down sides to whip the frosting light and fluffy.
6.  Check consistency and if too runny, add more powdered sugar. Then, beat to make light and fluffy as above.

Enjoy!

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