Apple Pie Cupcake

makes 6 dozen cupcakes

Cupcakes
(do this 3 times)
2 1/4 (11.25 oz) all purpose flour
2 1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
9 ounces unsalted butter, softened at room temp
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp finely grated lemon or orange zest
8 oz whole milk

Preheat oven to 325F. Line 24 muffin wells.

Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Set aside dry ingredients.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides if the bowl occasionally. Beat in the vanilla and grated zest.

On low speed, add the flour mixture and mix until flour is barely incorporated. Add the milk and mix until just smooth.

Divide the batter among lined muffin wells, filling each well about 2/3 full. Top with the apples.

Bake at 325F until a cake tested comes out clean, about 22 minutes. Remove from pan and cool cupcakes on cooling racks. Make sure cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting.

--------------------------------------------
Apple Topping
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 granny smith apples, peeled and diced 1/4 tsp each cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and allspice

Place butter and sugar in a large fry pan over low-medium heat. Stir to dissolve sugar. Add apple slices and cook for 8-10 minutes or until apples are lightly caramelized. Remove apples from pan and let cool completely.

--------------------------------------------
Cinnamon Frosting
(do in 2 batches)
1st...
24 ounces unsalted butter, softened at room temp
7 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp nutmeg

2nd...
12 ounces unsalted butter, softened at room temp
3 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves, heaping
1/8 tsp nutmeg 

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the sifted powdered sugar and beat for another 5 minutes until light and fluffy. Add in vanilla and spices, mix until combined.

--------------------------------------------
Assembly
Wait for the cupcakes to completely cool.

Use the cone method to fill each cupcake with a heaping teaspoon of apple filling.

Frost the cupcakes with an icing spatula or piping bag.

Optional: Lightly dust frosted cupcakes with 2-3 tsp ground cinnamon.