Confectionately Yours, Save the Cupcake!: Apple Cupcakes

      Do you remember that time when I posted The Secret Ingredient's scone recipes? Well, that was the Scone Age. And now, is the Cupcake Age. When I post recipes all on cupcakes. Let me ask you a question. Scone, muffin or cupcake? I'd go for scones, then cupcakes and then muffins. But they're all pretty closely tied. For today, Apple Cupcakes! Guaranteed to leave you craving for more!

Description from the book:

This is the ideal cupcake to bake on a rainy day.

Extra points for a cup of Apple Cider too.

Apple Cupcakes

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon margarine

3 tablespoons brown sugar

2 large apples, any variety,  peeled and chopped

(about 1/2-inch to 1-inch pieces)

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

1&1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup canola oil

How to Bake 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin pan with foil cupcake liners. (Paper ones are too sticky! If you don't have foiled ones, grease the inside of the muffin pan instead.) In a skillet on low heat, melt the margarine and brown sugar together. Then add the apple chunks and ground cinnamon, and saute' until nice and soft. Remove from heat to cool. Whisk the milk and vinegar together in a bowl and set aside for a few minutes to curdle.In a large bowl, mix together the curdled milk, sugar,vanilla extract,and oil.Then beat with a whisk or handheld mixer. Add the dry ingredients a little bit at a time,and mix until no lumps remain. Spoon apple chunks into each cupcake liner,enough to cover the bottom. Fill cupcake liners two thirds of the way and bake for 20-22 min. Transfer to a cooling rack, and let cool completely before frosting. Makes about 12-15 cupcakes.

Vanilla Frosting

Ingredients:

1/2 cup margarine, softened

1/2 cup shortening

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3-1/2 cups confectioners 'sugar

1-2 teaspoon milk

How To  Make:
In a large bowl, with a electric mixer, cream together the margarine and shortening. Beat in the vanilla extract. Slowly beat in the confectioners' sugar, in 1/2-cup intervals, adding a little bit of milk whenever the frosting is to thick. Continue mixing high speed for about 3-7 min, until the frosting is light and fluffy.





      Well, enjoy your apple cupcakes. There's more to come! Our next cupcake will be a little weird... OK, how 'bout VERY weird?! Ever tried French-toast cupcakes? I'll show you how to make it the next time you come : D