Spiced Apple Cupcakes

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 40 mins Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup apple, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 cup apple preserves
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 2 eggs
• 7 ounces pure chocolate, finely chopped
• 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature, cut into tablespoon-size pieces
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into tablespoon-size pieces
• food coloring (optional)
• colored sugar sprinkle, and decorating pens (optional)

Recipe

• 1 preheat an oven to 350 degrees.
• 2 line muffin tins with cupcake papers.
• 3 in a bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt.
• 4 toss the apple with the flour mixture. (this will help prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the muffin tins.)
• 5 in a large bowl, whisk together the apple preserves, granulated sugar, brown sugar and oil.
• 6 add the eggs one at a time, whisking after each addition.
• 7 add the flour mixture in three additions, stirring with a large wooden spoon until just combined.
• 8 fill the muffin tins about three-fourths full.
• 9 bake until the cupcakes are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes for regular sized muffins, less for mini.
• 10 transfer the tins to a wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes, then remove the cupcakes from the tins and let cool completely.
• 11 meanwhile, in a double boiler, melt the chocolate, stirring constantly, until smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes.
• 12 let stand until just warm to the touch.
• 13 in a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter on medium-high speed until smooth and blended.
• 14 add the melted chocolate and beat again until smooth.
• 15 use the frosting immediately, coloring it as desired.
• 16 spread 1 to 2 tbsp frosting over each cupcake and decorate with colored sugars and decorating pens if desired.