Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Nothing says the very start of fall to me like apples! So, when I saw a cute photo and recipe posted on Pinterest for caramel apple cupcakes, I was all in.

I have to preface this creation by saying it was a LOT of work. There are very few shortcuts used in this recipe, starting with the very first step being to bake your own apples and mush them up to be included in the batter. I have to say, though, the results were tremendous!

Here are some process photos of my work in the kitchen (to find the recipe in its entirety at Cupcake Bakeshop Blog, please click here)

When I do these again, I will either make about a quadruple batch (so 36 cupcakes instead of only 9), or try out some shortctuts. I am thinking in a pinch, you could use apple cinnamon from the box muffin mix, and maybe even melt some of the pre-purchased caramels to use as the caramel coating. 

Also, instead of "frosting" my cupcakes, I just dipped them into the caramel and carefully pulled them out. I hope all of you out there in blog-land are enjoying the fall weather and fall foods as much as I am!