Caramel Apple Cupcakes - AMAZING!

I made these amazing Caramel Apple Mini Cupcakes last week for a small dinner party we threw.  They turned out wonderful!  This is the perfect Fall cupcake!

Cake Ingredients:

1 box French vanilla cake mix

1 can apple pie filling

1 - 2 teaspoons apple pie spice

3 eggs

Directions:

1.    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.   Open the can of pie filling.  Using a knife, slice the large pieces of apple into smaller, bite-sized pieces.  I did this with the filling still in the can by inserting the knife into the center and letting it hit the bottom and then cutting against the wall of the can all the way around. 

3.   In a bowl, mix together the cake mix, eggs, pie filling and apple pie spice.  If you don’t have apple pie spice you can use cinnamon and nutmeg.

Spoon batter into cupcake liners and bake for 14-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Let cool completely.  


Cream Cheese Buttercream Ingredients:

½ cup butter

8 oz cream cheese

1 - 2 lb box powdered sugar. 

1 t. apple pie spice

¼ cup caramel sauce (store bought)

Directions:

1.  Let butter and cream cheese soften at room tempature.

2.  Mix butter and cream cheese with mixer until well combined and then gradually add powdered sugar until desired consistency.  Mix in apple pie spice.  Put icing in piping bag or ziplock bag and then pipe onto cupcakes.  Gently drizzle caramel sauce on top then refrigerate.  

I halved this recipe and it made 24 mini cupcakes.  If you half the cake, half the icing too.  ENJOY!