Apple Spice Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting

 As I was searching for inspiration for today's cupcake (and looking for a reason to avoid homework) I remembered I had bought a bag of Gala apples about a week ago. I realized there would be no way I would eat all of those apples before they went bad. Hence the birth of this week's cupcake.


Prep Time: 30 minutes
Bake Time: 15 - 20 minutes
Total Time: ~ 1 hour
Oven Temp: 350°

Cupcake Ingredients

• 1 box of Betty Crocker Spice Cake mix
• 2 1/2 C. Shredded Gala Apples (About 4 medium sized apples)
• 1/12 tsp. Sugar
• 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
• 2 Tbs. Flour
• 1 C. Water
• 1/2 C. Oil
• 3 Eggs
• Cupcake liners

I know, it seems like a lot of ingredients, but bear with me.

Ok. First off, quarter the apples and take out the core. (like you were going to eat them)

Then shred them. (I used a cheese grater.) 

*Warning* This part is probably going to be a little messy, and leave your hands sticky and juicy. If you cant handle that, this might not be the recipe for you. :)

Anyway. After you have shredded all your apples, measure out 2 1/2 cups into a bowl. 

(Since apples have liquid, we have to compensate for it by adding some dry ingredients.) So, add the flour, cinnamon and sugar. Stir it well, and set it aside.

Cupcakes - Pre Frosting

Take your eggs, oil and water and combine them in a separate bowl that is big enough for a cake mix and shredded apples. (choose wisely, I learned the hard way.) Then add the cake mix and stir for 30 seconds. Add in the shredded apple mixture and mix for 2 minutes, making sure that everything is well blended.

Scoop  the batter into the cupcake liners in your pan, and fill them 2/3 full. Put them in the oven for 15 - 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. My cupcakes took 16 minutes, but depending on your elevation, oven, etc. things might be different for you.

Let them cool completely before frosting them.

Frosting Ingredients

• 1 Can of Cream Cheese Frosting (Not the whipped kind)
• 1 jar of Caramel Ice Cream Topping
• Coarse Sea Salt
• Pastry Bag (If desired)

Take the Cream Cheese frosting and put it on the cupcakes as-is. Then drizzle the caramel topping on top, in a zig zag pattern. (to make it look pretty) Sprinkle some sea salt on top of that, and there you have it!

Thanks for reading guys! 

By the way, if you have any suggestions or requests for flavors, don't hesitate to let me know! I'm always looking for new ideas!