Apple Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting and Caramel Sauce

These Apple Cupcakes are the perfect combination of moist and flavorful apple cake topped with rich cream cheese frosting and a luscious caramel sauce. They make for a delightful treat that captures the essence of fall flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups grated apples about 2 medium apples
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts optional
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup caramel sauce store-bought or homemade
• Additional caramel sauce for drizzling optional

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350F 175C

Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg

Set aside

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition

Stir in the vanilla extract

Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined

Fold in the grated apples and chopped walnuts if using

Divide the cupcake batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full

Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean

Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the muffin tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely

While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting

In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy

Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them with the cream cheese frosting

Drizzle caramel sauce over the frosted cupcakes, and if desired, drizzle additional caramel sauce for extra sweetness

Serve and enjoy your delicious Apple Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting and Caramel Sauce!