½ cup (113 grams)unsalted buttersoftened at room temperature for 1 hour
¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
2large eggsroom temperature
¾cupapplesauce
1 ¾ cups (162 grams) all-purpose/plain flour
2 ½teaspoonsbaking powder
½teaspoonsalt
⅓ cup (78 ml) whole milkroom temperature
For the frosting:
1 cup (8 ounces/225 grams) cream cheesesoftened at room temperature for 1 hour
½ cup (113 grams)unsalted buttersoftened at room temperature for 1 hour
1teaspoonvanilla extract
2 cups (260 grams) powdered sugar
½teaspoonpumpkin pie spice
Instructions
Make the cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C. Line a 12-muffin tin with liners.
To a bowl add the butter and sugar. Beat on high until light and pale using an electric mixer. Add the eggs, one at a time and beat until mixed. Mix in the applesauce. Add the flour, baking powder, pumpin pie spice and salt to a separate bowl and mix well. With the mixer on low add little dry mix to the wet mix, alternate with a little milk until all the flour and milk are used. Mix until well-combined and smooth. Don't over mix. Use an ice cream scoop and divide the batter between all the cups, a little over halfway filled.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden. When a toothpick inserted in the center it should come out clean.
Remove from the oven, remove the cupcakes from the pan and cool on a wire rack.
Make the frosting:
Beat the cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer, add the vanilla, mix well. Slowly add powdered sugar while beating. Add the pumpkin pie spice and mix well. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to make topping the cupcakes easier.