Cupcakes

Ingredients

• Servings: 21
• 1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix (with pudding)
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
• 1 cup mott's® natural applesauce
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• frosting:
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
• 4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 vanilla bean, seeds removed and set aside
• candy:
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup mott's® natural applesauce
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons chopped pecans (optional)

Recipe

Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ready Time: 1 hr 30 mins


• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). prepare cupcake pans with paper liners.
• combine cake mix, pumpkin, applesauce, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice in a large bowl. using electric mixer, combine until thick cake batter forms.
• portion into prepared cupcake tins, about 2 tablespoons each. bake for 15-20 minutes until toothpick comes out clean and the tops begin to brown.
• for the frosting: with an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip cream cheese and butter until well combined, scraping sides of the bowl as necessary. add vanilla and whip until incorporated.
• add 3 cups of powdered sugar, one cup at a time, whipping the frosting to incorporate each cup fully before adding the next. add the vanilla seeds and whip one last time. spread or pipe cupcakes.
• for the candy: line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. sprinkle with powdered sugar and pecan pieces, if desired.
• combine sugar, water, mott's® natural applesauce, cinnamon, and nutmeg to a large saucepan. heat on medium until mixture starts to boil. stir regularly until candy reaches hard-crack phase (300 degrees f on a candy thermometer, or until the candy audibly crackles when dropped into a cup of cold water).
• pour prepared candy over powdered sugar and pecan pieces. allow to completely cool and harden before breaking into pieces. sprinkle frosted cupcakes.