Applesauce-Spice Cupcakes

Our visitors left a couple of days ago and we are trying to get back into a routine. It is a weird time for me since I loved having my German family around and the first couple of weeks after they leave I always feel a little lost. We had a wonderful time and I'm already counting the months until I'm able to see everyone again. I'd also like to thank all of you for your nice comments and well wishes regarding my sisters wedding and my new profile picture, you guys are too kind and know how to make a woman feel good. So, the first order of business in trying to get some normality back into my life is to start posting and cooking again. I did cook most of our meals during the visit since I was able to control the ingredients for my sister who has celiac disease, but there just never seemed to be enough time to take pictures or write up posts.

First up are these wonderful Applesauce-Spice Cupcakes that are out of my favorite cupcake book; Martha Stewart's Cupcakes. I actually did make those the very first week I had visitors (but never got around to writing a post) and they were a huge hit with everyone. Wonderfully moist, with just the right amount of spice and with a great frosting, they are a fantastic fall treat. They come together pretty fast and make for a great presentation. The cupcakes, while very tasty on their own, would not be as good without the amazing frosting that tops these little treats. It is good enough to eat by the spoonful. In fact, I made double the amount of frosting and used it to frost some gluten free chocolate cupcakes as well and my sister loved the combination.

To make the cupcakes, you start by measuring flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves into a bowl. Butter, sugar and brown sugar are beaten until pale and fluffy before adding eggs and applesauce. The flour/spice mixture is then incorporated and finally, toasted chopped pecans are folded in before filling the batter into lined muffin tins. After the cupcakes are baked, they are frosted with the most divine brown-sugar cream-cheese frosting which isn't too sweet, and has more flavor depth than an ordinary cream cheese frosting that calls for confectioner's sugar.

Definite bulls eye with these delectable fall inspired cupcakes. They would be perfect for any bake sale or a casual get together with friends and family. I thought they were especially tasty when enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea and so did my visitors. These did not last long in our house and were gone within the day and I already had give out the recipe to several people. I hope you'll give them a try during this fall season and love them as much as we did!

Applesauce-Spice Cupcakes

(adapted from Martha Stewart's Cupcakes)

(makes about 18 cupcakes)

(Printable Recipe)

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar

4 large eggs, at room temperature

1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce

1 cup pecans (about 4 ounces), toasted and chopped

Brown-Sugar Cream-Cheese Frosting (Recipe to follow)

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter and both sugars until pale and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each is incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce speed to low. Add applesauce and then flour mixture, beating until just combined after each. Stir in pecans by hand.

Divide batter evenly among lined cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool completely before removing cupcakes. Cupcakes can be stored overnight at room temperature, or frozen up to 2 months, in airtight containers.

To finish, use a small offset spatula to spread cupcakes with frosting or for a fancier look pipe on frosting with a pastry bag fitted with a big tip. Frosted cupcakes can be refrigerated up to 3 days in airtight containers; bring to room temperature before serving.

Brown-Sugar Cream-Cheese Frosting

(makes 2 1/2 cups)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

1 cup packed light-brown sugar

Preparation:

With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter, cream cheese, and brown sugar until smooth. Use immediately, or refrigerate up to 3 days in an airtight container. Before using, bring to room temperature, and beat on low speed until smooth.

(My sister and her husband)