Caramel Appletini Cupcakes

May 8, 2008 at 3:45 PM | Posted in cupcakes | 47 Comments
Tags: caramel apple, crunkcakes, martini

Remember my cupcake catastrophe 2 months ago…?

Second times the charm right?

I decided to bake these particular cupcakes again with a couple different adjustments for an alcoholic-inspired May holiday known to me and my friends as Cinco de Drinko. Now I don’t usually drink very much (I get that red-faced-asian-thing. Its very UN-sexy!) but when I do indulge I always ask the bartender to hit me with my favorite girly drink – Caramel Apple Martini! So here’s my attempt at my favorite drink… cupcake style!

Side note: It took me a couple days to post the recipe b/c I wasn’t the only party-goer to get the brilliant idea for crunkcakes. Two other friends brought margarita cupcakes! Who knew you could get a hangover from a cupcake? LOL.

HAPPY (belated) CINCO DE MAYO!

Dang! it really bugs me that the frosting is leaning but T says it makes them look drunk so its all good. LOL
(Recipe adapted from Cupcake Bakeshop | photos from me!)

Makes about 12 cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

For apple cupcake
2-3 apples, granny smith* (I used 3 apples)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1/2 cup oil
1/4 cup apple juice
1 teaspoon vanilla
green food coloring to desired color

* You can probably substitute with equivalent amt of applesauce but I have not tried it yet

For caramel apple frosting
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
4-5 tablespoons milk
3-4 teaspoons apple vodka, to taste (I used 4 tsp Smirnoff)
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

For caramel drizzle
1/2 cup evaporated milk (I substituted with heavy cream)
4oz individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped (I used about 16 Wether’s chewy caramels)

green decorating sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

To make cupcake—
Preheat oven 350F.

Rinse and core the apples. Place them on an ovenproof pan or baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes until soft. Remove the apples from the oven, let cool slightly, then remove peel and mush the apple with the back of a fork. Measure out 1 cup of apple mush and set aside to cool.

Click image to enlarge

[NOTES: If you don’t have granny apples on hand, you could probably substitute 1 cup of applesauce. I might have to try that next time.]

Combine flour, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt in a medium sized bowl and whisk to combine. Crack the eggs into a separate, medium sized bowl and beat. Add the oil, apple juice, vanilla, and cooled apple mush and mix to combine.

Combine the wet and dry ingredients until all ingredients come together.

Scoop into cupcake liners. Bake for 20-22 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

[NOTES: I think I baked mine too long b/c it came out browner than I wanted. I’d probably go 17-20 minutes next time I make it.]

To make frosting—
Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and 4 tablespoons milk; cook 1 minute or until sugar melts. Remove from heat; cool slightly.

Combine butter mixture and apple vodka in a large bowl. Gradually add powdered sugar; beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add last tbsp milk, 1 TEAspoon at a time, beating until spreading consistency. (You might not use all of the last tbsp.)

To make caramel drizzle—
Combine evaporated milk and caramels in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook stirring frequently until caramels are melted and the mixture is smooth. Let cool for a few minutes before putting it in a piping bag (or ziplock bag with a small snip cut off in the corner) and slowly drizzle over cupcake.

[NOTES: I used my plastic squeezy “ketchup” bottle to drizzle the caramel b/c its much easier and if there’s leftovers I can save it!]

To assemble cupcakes—
Use a spatula to frost a layer on the cupcake. Pat green decorating sugar around bottom rim of frosting. Fill piping bag with frosting and use a 1M star tip to pipe onto cupcake. Garnish with caramel drizzle.

Click image to enlarge

[NOTES: I think a bright red cherry on top would be uber cute but I got lazy and didn’t make it to the store to grab some. Definitely next time though…]

ENJOY! :)

Husband rating: N/A

Wifey rating: A
The apple cupcake is so good with hints of cinnamon and spices. The frosting is very sweet and you can taste the kick from the vodka. I like the crunch from the decorating sugar too. All in all I think it resembled the drink I was going for.

Other rating: A
It really depends on if you like caramel. Friends that love caramel (like me) really raved about this cupcake while other friends took a couple bites and said it was too sweet. But there were no more by the end of the night. That should tell you something right?! :)