Spiced Cupcakes With Caramel Frosting

Olive Owl's Note:

From Life's Ambrosia.

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 12 cupcakes

• 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 large egg white
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 cup milk

Caramel Frosting

• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons caramel sauce
• 2 -3 tablespoons milk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat sugar and butter until well combined. Add eggs and egg white one at a time. Add vanilla.
3. In another bowl sift together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Add 1/2 of the flour mixture to the sugar mixture. Stir in milk. Add remaining flour mixture. Beat until smooth.
4. Place cupcake liners in a cupcake pan. Fill each liner 2/3 of the way full.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the cupcake comes out with just a few crumbs on it. I find that if it is too clean, my cupcakes come out dry.
6. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
7. While cupcakes are cooling make your frosting by beating together sugar and butter until smooth. Add in vanilla, caramel and 2 tablespoons of milk. Beat until stiff and spreadable. If needed add remaining tablespoon of milk .
8. Use a knife or a piping bag to frost cooled cupcakes. Serve.