Apple Pie Cupcakes

Time for the Crazy Cooks Challenge!  This month the theme is Apple Pie.  Seeing how I already have a Sour Cream Apple Pie, and a Apple Pie topping recipe on here, I thought I'd take it a different direction.  

I also didn't want to make a pie crust.  I kinda sorta stink at that.  

So I found this wonderful recipe for Apple Pie Cupcakes!!  And it was awesome.  Completely gobbled up.  And completely messy.

But wonderful.

APPLE PIE CUPCAKES
Posted at: http://recipesofacheapskate.blogspot.com
Adapted from: Alpine Berry

For The Cupcakes

• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 9 ounces (2 sticks plus 2 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened at room temp
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp lemon zest
• 1 cup (8oz) milk

Apple Topping

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 3 granny smith apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced/diced

To cook the apples
Place butter and sugar in a large fry pan over low-medium heat. Stir to dissolve sugar. Add apple slices and cook for 8-10 minutes or until apples are lightly caramelized. Remove apples from pan and let cool completely.

To make the cupcakes
Preheat oven to 325F. Line 24 muffin wells with paper liners. Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Set aside dry ingredients. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides if the bowl occasionally. Beat in the vanilla and grated zest. On low speed, add the flour mixture and mix until flour is barely incorporated. Add the milk and mix until just smooth.  Divide the batter among lined muffin wells, filling each well about 2/3 full. Top with the apples. Bake at 325F until a toothpick comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Remove from pan and cool cupcakes on cooling racks.