apple cinnamon cupcakes

I bake cupcakes whenever it's someone's birthday at work (total of 9 people).

so, it's my neighboring cube person's birthday on Saturday, since I have class tonight... I baked to his request last night.

apple cinnimon cupcakes

set oven to 350 F

makes 12

ingredients:

1 1/2 c all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

1 c granulated sugar

1/3 c of crisco & 1 tbsp of water (this equals to 1 stick of butter or 1/2 cup of butter)

2 eggs

1/2 tsp [pure] vanilla extract

1/3 c milk

1 apple, peeled, cored, and diced

1/4 c light brown sugar (i mixed a little of dark brown sugar in it for a little bolder taste, this is really up to you)

1/3 tsp ground cinnamon

3/4 tbsp butter

very tiny pinch of salt

(i could even it all out, but i hate wasting ingredients)

1. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt together in a small bowl
2. In the main [large] bowl, mix together the sugar, crisco mix (or butter), eggs, vanilla. Mix until smooth.
3. Put in half of the flour mix, mix until it is smooth, then half of the milk. Repeat with the rest of the flour mix and milk. This will make it easier for you, so you don't have all the dries clumping together.
4. When the mix is smooth, add the diced apples.
5. In a separate small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and salt. Make sure that the butter is evenly distributed.
6. Line your cupcake pan (I have the Wilton pan, which is much deeper than the other ones that I have - I believe the deeper the cupcake pan, the nicer tops the cupcakes will look)
7. Scoop half of the batter in all the cups, or at least you can't see the bottom of the paper cup. It's usually a large spoonful for me. Sprinkle in the brown sugar mix, make sure you do not throw in clumps because the density of them will make them sink... and it melts to the bottom of your cupcakes. Sprinkle as much as you'd like.
8. Pour the rest of the batter on top of the brown sugar sprinkles.
9. Optional. Sprinkle a little bit of brown sugar mix on top of the cupcakes.
10. Bake for 22 - 25 min, or until golden
    
    
    Now for the icing!!! This is my favorite icing to use.
    i think it just fits to so many cake flavors!

Cream Cheese Icing

8 oz [1/3 reduced fat] cream cheese
1/2 lb butter (room temp)
2 cups powder sugar
1 1/2 tsp [pure] vanilla extract

1. Mix together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla.
2. Pour a bit of powder sugar at a time, so it doesn't fly out at you... and repeat until finished.

voila!