Winning Caramel Apple Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• 4  apples cored peeled chopped (recommended: 2 Granny Smith and 2 Fuji)
• 1 teaspoon double-acting baking powder 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• 24 servings caramel syrup for garnish
• 8 ounce bar cream cheese room temperature
• 2 large eggs 
• 2 cups flour all-purpose
• 2 cups granulated sugar 
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 
• 2 pounds powdered sugar 
• 0.5 teaspoon salt 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 0.5 cup butter unsalted melted
• 1 cup butter unsalted room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste 
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract pure

Equipment

• bowl
• oven
• wire rack
• hand mixer
• muffin liners
• pastry bag

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 regular size cupcake pans with cupcake liners.
2. In a large bowl using an electric mixer on low speed, combine the sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla extract until blended. In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low until blended. Stir in the apples.
4. Fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full with batter and bake until the cupcakes spring back when touched with your finger, 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Let cool in the pans for a few minutes, and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Either pipe Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese Frosting onto the cupcakes using a pastry bag and your favorite tip, or spread each cupcake with the frosting.
7. Drizzle each cupcake with caramel syrup.
8. In a large bowl using an electric mixer on low speed, beat the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla bean paste until smooth and thoroughly blended. Slowly add the powdered sugar and salt.
9. Mix until smooth.