These cupcakes are inspired by that favorite fall treat, caramel apples. Makes: 16 Ingredients: 2 apples 1 tbsp lemon juice 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/3 cup light brown sugar 4 tbsp butter, melted, plus extra for greasing scant 1/2 cup milk scant 1/2 cup apple juice 1 egg, lightly beaten Caremel Sauce: 2 tbsp heavy cream scant 1/4 cup light brown sugar 1 tbsp butter
Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C. Grease 16 cups in two shallow muffin pans.
Roughly grate 1 apple. Cut the remaining apple into 1/4-inch/5-mm-thick slices and toss in the lemon juice. Sift the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon into a large bowl, then stir in the brown sugar and grated apple.
Combine the melted butter with the milk, apple juice, and egg. Stir the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing lightly until just combined.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pans and arrange 2 of the apple slices on top of each cupcake. Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until risen, golden, and firm to the touch. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.
For the caramel sauce, place all the ingredients in a small saucepan and heat, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved. Increase the heat and boil rapidly for 2 minutes, or until slightly thickened and syrupy. Cool slightly, then drizzle over the cupcakes and let set.
Adapted from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1445438070/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1445438070&linkCode=as2&tag=craftfocom-20">"The Cupcake: Life's Better With a Cupcake,"</a> published by Parragon Books.