Apple Cupcakes

After a busy two weeks, I'm back. The big boy turned 5 this month so we did something we love to do together. . . bake. Yes, he has his own monogrammed apron too.

These apple cupcakes are delicious. It can also be made into a cake. We were taking them to share with friends so cupcakes worked best for us.

Ingredients:
About 6 thinly chopped Yellow Delicious apples (should make about 4 cups)

2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup raisins
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
2 1/2 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder (Feel free to call your neighbor and ask to borrow some, I did.)

1 tsp salt

2-3 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp apple pie spice
1 cup roughly chopped toasted walnuts (10 minutes at 325-350 degrees)

Combine apples and sugar. Stir to coat apples. Add raisins and vanilla. Let them stand for1-2 hours, go do something fun. Mixture should become syrupy. 

After about two hours (I also took a short nap during this time.)  preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine eggs and oil.  Whisk dry ingredients together and stir into egg/oil mixture. Stir to combine. Mixture should be dry and crumbly. Stir in apples to combine. Fold in nuts.

Fill paper lined foil holders 2/3 full. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes. If you are making a cake, pour into a 9x13 pan and bake at same oven temp but for 40-45 minutes.  

I topped half of these cream cheese icing. To my surprise, Birthday Boy liked them best without icing. Me and The Hubs like the icing. And lots of it.  These get better each day so make at least the day before for optimum yumminess.