Weigh out the ingredients
I
For the cupcakes, you'll need flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, butter, vanilla, sugar, molasses, applesauce, apple, eggs, and spices.
Weigh out the ingredients
II
For the caramel and cream cheese frosting, you'll need butter, cream of tartar, salt, cream cheese, sugar, heavy cream, water, and vanilla.
In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, salt, cream of tartar, and water. Place over medium high heat, and cook until amber in color. Slowly stream in the butter heavy cream mixture. Cook for one more minute, then remove from heat and mix in the vanilla, then and pour into a glass jar.
Make the caramel sauce
III
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and spices. Set aside.
Combine the dry ingredients
IV
Brown the butter, then immediately pour into a large bowl, scraping out the fat solids at the bottom, and weigh out to 113g (½ cup). To the brown butter, whisk in the sugars, then the large eggs, vanilla, and molasses until fully combined.
Mix the wet ingredients
V
Then, mix in half of the flour mixture until barely combined, followed by the applesauce. Add in the remaining dry ingredients and gently fold with a rubber spatula until just combined.
Alternate dry & wet
VI
Lastly, fold in the grated apples until evenly dispersed.
Fold in apples
VII
Transfer the batter to a cupcake pan prepared with cupcake liners, filling the paper liners about ¾ full each. Bake the apple cupcakes for about 20 minutes. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Bake the cupcakes
VIII
Cream the butter and cream cheese on medium-high speed until smooth. Slowly add the sifted powdered sugar and mix until fully combined. Drizzle in the salted caramel sauce and continue beating on low speed until no more lumps or pockets of air remain and the frosting has a smooth texture.
Make the frosting
IX
Transfer the caramel frosting to a piping bag, then decorate the cupcakes as desired and serve for dessert!
Decorate & enjoy!
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