Thursday, September 6, 2012

Salted Caramel Apple {Cupcakes}

Good morning, friends! A couple weeks ago I was a guest over at Wait Til Your Father Gets Home for Meredith's Back to School series. When she asked me to be a guest I immediately started researching a fun, delicious back to school treat and I think you're gonna love what I came up with!

You know the whole thing about apples and teachers? Well, today I'm sharing with you a treat that is sure to give your kids "teacher's pet" status! Here it is...

Salted Caramel Apple {Cupcakes} for Teacher

I know, I know...does it get any better than this?


These are so fun and delicious. You don't even have to be a teacher to enjoy them! Moist, apple spice cupcakes, topped with salted caramel buttercream, dipped in royal icing with a pretzel and green candy for the finishing touch. What teacher wouldn't be delighted to have one of these beauties sitting on her desk?

Spiced Apple Cupcakes (This is a Martha Stewart recipe that I made no changes to because, well, it's practically perfect just as it is)

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups coarsely shredded apples (I used 3 granny smith and 3 red delicious)

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners; set aside. Whisk together flour, 
  • baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
  •  
  • Cream butter and sugar on medium-high speed in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle until pale and 
  • fluffy, about 5 minutes. Mix in eggs and vanilla.

  • Reduce speed to low; mix in apples. Add flour mixture; mix, scraping down sides of bowl as needed, until
  •  just combined.

  • Fill lined cups halfway with batter; bake until tops are springy to the touch, 18 to 20 minutes.

Salted Caramel Buttercream 

2 sticks salted butter
2 cups dark brown sugar
2/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups powdered sugar

Melt butter in med saucepan. Add brown sugar and heavy cream and stir until sugar is dissolved. Add salt. Continue stirring and let bubble for one minute. 

Remove from heat and let cool while stirring. 

Mix in powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Cover with plastic wrap, touching icing, until ready to use. 


To make each "apple", pipe buttercream onto cupcake with a round tip, starting on the outside, moving inward in a circular motion. Don't over-frost. The icing is very rich so a little goes a long way. Plus, you don't want it to be too heavy when it comes time to dip into royal icing

Let iced cupcakes rest a little while, allowing the buttercream to form a crust. Then, carefully dip into thinned out, red royal icing, gently shaking off any excess before turning over. For the "stem", break a pretzel stick in half and insert into top of cupcake before icing sets. 

For the "leaves" I used spearmint leaf candies and cut them into smaller leaf shapes. You can free hand this. It shouldn't be stressful or hard...just make a basic, triangular leaf shape and don't worry about them matching perfectly. Attach leaf next to the "stem" and refrigerate cupcakes to allow royal icing to set.



Voila! The perfect bushel of beautiful red apples! I hope you enjoy making these as much as I did. The look on your kids and their teacher's faces will be well worth the work...I promise!
Until next time, happy reading and more importantly, happy cupcake-ing!

26 comments:

  1. I don't even think these would make it to school in our house ;) we would probably devour them first!

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  2. wow, these look great! I've always wanted to try "dipping" cupcakes but have been to afraid. I love the glossy look these have!

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  3. Oh my! These look great and your photos make them look even better. Can't wait to try them. Found your blog at The link party at Somewhat Simple.

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  4. ok this is serious trouble i am in. Now that I have found your blog there is going to be some serious baking! Thankyou heaps. I found you from Twinkle In the eye xx

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  5. Adorbs! They look so shiny like real apples! Thanks for sharing at the Pomp Party! Pinning!

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  6. Heather these look so YUMMY, I am going to try to make these with my whole wheat flour! thanks for sharing!

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  7. They look so pretty!! I and I can't even imagine how great they taste!? so happy to be your newest follower!

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  8. Wow these look AMAZING! Your red icing is so vibrant :)

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  9. Very cute! I found your blog through "Flour Me with Love" link party. No kiddos at home but my co-workers would love these!

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  10. Here from Just Another Manic Monday, I just couldn't help but click on this amazing picture. Thanks for the recipe, I'll be sure to try it. I have a sneaky feeling that when I go to dip mine in the red royal icing mine will come out nothing like yours but they'll taste fine and be good for a laugh.

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  11. Adorable! Just like perfect candies apples!

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  12. I love these cupcakes! I'm NOT a teacher, but I'd love to have these! What a clever idea. I love the royal icing!

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  13. We featured you over at The REAL Housewives of Riverton! We hope to see you link up again soon! http://housewivesofriverton.blogspot.com/2012/09/riverton-housewives-round-up-32.html

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  14. Wow- can't go wrong with Martha!

    Love for you to link this recipe (and a couple others if you'd like!) to Wonderful Food Wednesday at http://www.athometake2.com. Hope to see you there!

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  15. Heather,
    These cupcakes are amazing and scrumptious looking. I agree that you can't go wrong with Martha. Thanks so much for linking up last week to Creative Thursday. Can’t wait to see what you have for this week’s party! Have a great week.
    Michelle

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  16. You are awesome! Everything you do looks soo good! Thanks for linking up!
    Kim~madeinaday

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  17. What a great idea for Fall! I am hosting an "It's Fall Y'all ~ Linky Party" .... I would like to invite you to share this project, and other Fall related projects/recipes, you may have. All links will be pinned to a board dedicated to the party. You can find the party at Love Bakes Good Cakes. Hope to see you there!

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  18. these are too beautiful to eat!

    Following you now! Have a great night! Stop by nichollvincent.blogspot.com and say hello! :)

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  19. This apple a day will definitely keep my doctor away. They look so yummy not even Snow White would resist.
    Have a great weekend.
    Jillian
    http://puzzlemecomplete.blogspot.com/

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  20. Oh wow, these look/sound super delicious!

    Carrie
    http://lego-house.blogspot.com

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  21. okay, yum! we love salted caramel and i think i will need to be making these soon. love that they recipe is martha stewart...she is the best! i love your blog and am your newest follower! come follow along at chaseandem.blogspot.com XO

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  22. Hi, Great post. My daughter is a cupcake lover also. I am going to send her to your post. Her blog ishttp://www.kjaggers.com/ I found you through the blog hop. Please stop by and say hi when you get a chance. .Be sure and check out my new Blog Hop that started. It's Weekly Goals Link Up. It's a great way to stay on track. Have a great day. :)

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Hey friends! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Reading them makes me happy! If you're a no-reply comment-er, please change this on your blogger. I make every effort to respond but sometimes can't get over here to post a reply. It's easier for me to hit reply on my email and immediately let you know that I appreciate your support and encouragement. Thanks much!

Blessings,
Heather

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