Caramel Apple Mini Cakes

Ingredients

CAKE

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons apple juice concentrate, thawed
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 3 cups peeled chopped apples
• 3/4 cup walnuts, chopped

FROSTING

• 5 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons corn syrup
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°.

2. 2

   Grease the wells of a pop up pan or 12 muffin cups.

3. 3

   Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and spices; set aside.

4. 4

   Cream together the butter, and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, then mix in dry ingredients, vanilla, boiled cider or apple juice concentrate, thawed; and applesauce.

5. 5

   Stir this mixture until evenly moistened and then fold in the apple and walnuts.

6. 6

   Transfer the batter to prepared pan.

7. 7

   Bake for 20-22 minutes or cake tester inserted near the center comes out clean.

8. 8

   Cool the cakes for 15 minutes before turning out of the pan; cool complete before frosting.

9. 9

   To prepare the frosting: Melt the butter, stir in the salt and the brown sugar, and corn syrup and cool, stirring until the sugar melts.

10. 10

    Add the milk, bring to a rolling boil and pour into a mixing bowl to cool for 10 minutes.

11. 11

    Stir in the sugar, vanilla and cinnamon; beat well. If the mixture appears too thin, add more powdered sugar.

12. 12

    Spread on the cakes while frosting is still a little warm.