"We went back to get him, at the rest stop, before continuing on to Grandma and Grandpa's house. But that was the last time your brother ever said your father's head smelled like the bathroom after the neighbor with lactose sensitivities used it. He rode in silence for the rest of the trip."
"Wow, mom."
I have a crush that is so bad and so fierce that Tyra Banks just cut off all its hair. All I want to do is think about it and talk about it, live it. I am horrible and pathetic and I can't stop.
I am a Curtis Sittenfeld character.
While I attempt to get it together (Come visit me like Cross Sugarman. In the night!), please enjoy Fall, and these cupcakes. They went over well, except everybody thought they were pumpkin.
Hope all is lovely.
Braeburn Apple Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing
Adapted from SB/TB
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 egg
1/2 cup Canola Oil (I used Spectrum)
1 cup unsweetened, chunky applesauce (I used storebought Braeburn, though homemade would be wonderful)
1 1/2 cups AP flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon baking soda
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Sift together the flour, spices (cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice) and soda. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the brown and granulated sugars, egg and oil until well-beaten and smooth. Add the vanilla extract and stir until combined. Add the flour mixture and applesauce alternately, beginning and ending with flour, mixing just until flour disappears and batter is a uniform brown. Spoon or scoop into a lined 12-cup cupcake pan -- I got exactly 12 cupcakes from this recipe, but depending on the size of your cups, this could vary by 1 or 2. You can also grease and flour a round cake pan and pour the batter in that, baking for slightly longer (until toothpick comes out clean and top springs back gently when touched) and then frost, or just sift powdered sugar over the top.
But we're dealing with small cakes today, class.
Bake for 10-15 minutes, checking after 10, just until toothpicks inserted in the middle and edge cupcakes come out clean or with dry crumbs clinging. No wet batter. Remove from oven and cool in pan for 5 minutes, then gently remove and cool completely on a rack.
Cream Cheese Icing
8 oz Cream Cheese, slightly softened (take it out of the fridge 10 minutes prior)
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 to 2 cups sifted powdered sugar
For the icing, beat together (don't whip) the cream cheese and vanilla extract with an electric mixer (stand or hand) on medium speed until smooth. Add the cinnamon. Then gradually add the powdered sugar until you've reached a sweetness and stiffness level you're satisfied with. Frost cooled cupcakes generously, slather them, obscenely. Enjoy.
What a super blog! Keep 'em coming :) The little apple cakes are what I am going to be baking next :-) and oh, Happy New Year!! :-)
Posted by: Pink Imp | January 01, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Just made this. I used blackberry applesauce instead of regular. So delicious, thanks.
Posted by: alicia | November 21, 2007 at 10:03 AM
I am still so surprised whenever anyone comments on my blog -- thank you. I feel like I should call you all sweet doves or something like that. Canaries. Thank you.
GIG, thank you -- a thrift store find, and I was so psyched to be able to use them for something.
Lisa, for sure. This was fleeting, it has died down thankfully, but it was one of those ones that was deep and full in high school and I guess the embers hadn't died down. My whole body was like southern California all week. Now we're cooling down. Thanks, low pressure system.
Patricia, thank you!
Beth, we totally stand together. Baking For Distraction. Meetings every Wednesday at the Grange hall.
Cakespy, thank you! I'm flattered you clicked through, and I hope you enjoy your time here.
Oh choice, Smitty! You made my day -- I'm glad the recipe didn't poison anyone or burn your house down. I bought my applesauce at a local Whole Foods style store, and it happened to be both adjectives. Otherwise, feel free to use an applesauce that fits either of them.
Gabreial, anytime!
Posted by: L. | October 28, 2007 at 09:37 PM
Holy cow those look yummy, I'm a sucker for apple anything. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Cheers!
Posted by: Gabreial | October 28, 2007 at 11:29 AM
I ran home and made these last night, brought them in to the office this morning. The icing was surprisingly good, despite the lack of good old butter, and the cakes smelled divine. They were a fall-time hit at work. Couldn't find chunky and unsweetened applesauce in the same jar. Where did you get yours? Oh, and thanks for the fun recipe!
Posted by: Smitty | October 25, 2007 at 10:15 PM
I just came across this blog through a link on another one (I was curious about the name!). And what a reward! What beautiful photography for one thing...that frosting looks as sweet as your crush!
Posted by: Cakespy | October 25, 2007 at 09:46 PM
Another person that bakes when they can't stop thinking about someone! But yeah, I know the feeling. And these look fantastic.
Posted by: Beth | October 25, 2007 at 02:20 PM
Your photos are so beautiful, L!
Posted by: Patricia Scarpin | October 25, 2007 at 12:07 PM
Mmmm, a crush in fall. I think that even beats the crush in spring -- the crisp air, the sharpness of the light, that sense of everything teetering on the brink before winter's misery... ahhh.
The cupcakes look good too. I love apple cake.
Posted by: Lisa | October 24, 2007 at 09:04 AM
Heart the plates! Just in time for fall!!
Posted by: Get It Girl | October 24, 2007 at 05:26 AM