SPICED APPLE CUPCAKES

Spiced Apple Cupcakes image

I came up with the combination of cinnamon and cayenne. I was making cinnamon toast one day and accidentally sprinkled cayenne pepper on my toast instead of cinnamon! I decided to just add cinnamon to the cayenne and I loved it. I am constantly making cupcakes and thought I would try my new found combination in cupcakes. I loved the end result and hope you do, too. The apple spice cupcake are topped with a rich and silky maple frosting.-Elisha Ayers, Unicoi, Tennessee

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 45m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

1 medium apple, peeled and finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
4 eggs
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
MAPLE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
Ground allspice

Steps:

In a small skillet, saute apple and coriander until tender. Remove from the heat and set aside., In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in applesauce (mixture will appear curdled). Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cayenne; gradually add to the creamed mixture until combined. Fold in apple mixture. Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. , Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar and maple syrup; beat until smooth. Pipe frosting onto cupcakes. Sprinkle with allspice. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 282 calories, Fat 12g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 66mg cholesterol, Sodium 198mg sodium, Carbohydrate 42g carbohydrate (32g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.