Apple cupcakes

After a super long day,  I made apple cupcakes. I was in the mood to make a fall cupcake.

However, after a morning of working and training, I biked during my lunch. Only 9-10 miles, seems like nothing now, but it was a good lunch workout between the rains of the day and the week.

McIntosh apple

peels

grated apple

Brown Sugar Buttercream Icing

APPLE CUPCAKES

Makes 2 Dozen.

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

                        2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

            4 cups coarsely shredded apples, such as Macintosh (about 1 3/4 pounds)

Cinnamon Brown Sugar Buttercream

•                1 stick unsalted butter, softened

•                1/4 cup shortening

•                1/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed

•                1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

•                3 cups powdered sugar (varies based on temperature/humidity)

•                3 tablespoons half and half (varies based on temperature/humidity)

In a large mixer bowl, combine the butter and shortening. Whip together with the whisk attachment until light and fluffy.  Add the brown sugar and cinnamon and whisk until well combined. Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time. Alternately add the half and half, whipping the icing on medium-high speed after each addition, until the desired consistency is reached.