Country fair caramel apple cakes

 

       These applesauce cupcakes resemble old-fashioned caramel apples on a stick.

Makes 1 dozen

• 1 two-thirds cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon allspice
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup applesauce
• ¼ cup sour cream
• One-third cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Caramel glaze (recipe follows)
• ½ cup chopped toasted walnuts
• 12 popsicle sticks

1. Combine flour, sugar, spices, soda and salt in mixing bowl ; stir in applesauce, sour cream, oil and lemon juice.
2. Pour into muffin tins fitted with paper liners ; bake 20 minutes.
3. Let cool completely on wire rack.
4. Spread caramel glaze over tops of cupcakes and insert stick upright in center of each.
5. Garnish rim of each cake with chopped walnuts to resemble caramel apple dipped in nuts.

Caramel glaze

• 20 caramels
• 3 tablespoons milk

1. Melt caramels with milk in small saucepan over low heat, stirring until smooth.

Note : For a festive touch, cut 6 inch lenghts of red gingham ribbon and ties bows on each stick.

BON APPÉTIT