Apple-licious Cupcakes

These are definitely not your typical cupcakes topped with buttery icing, but kids love them just the same. In fact, our testers enjoyed them even without the glaze (we just called them muffins instead).

Cupcakes

½ cup packed brown sugar 125 mL

½ cup granulated sugar 125 mL

¼ cup canola oil 50 mL

1 large egg 1

1 tsp vanilla 5 mL

1 cup whole wheat flour 250 mL

1 cup all-purpose flour 250 mL

2 tsp baking soda 10 mL

1 tsp nutmeg 5 mL

1 tsp cinnamon 5 mL

2 cups coarsely grated apple (not peeled) 500 mL

¾ cup unsweetened applesauce 175 mL

Glaze

1 cup icing sugar 250 mL

2 tbsp unsweetened apple juice 30 mL

1 tsp vanilla 5 mL

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with extra-large paper liners.

2. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat brown sugar, granulated sugar and canola oil until well mixed. Beat in egg and vanilla until blended.

3. In a medium bowl, mix whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, nutmeg and cinnamon. Using a wooden spoon, stir into sugar mixture until combined. Stir in grated apple and applesauce.

4. Spoon batter into prepared muffin pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the centre of a cupcake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely.

5. To make glaze, whisk together icing sugar, apple juice and vanilla in a small bowl until smooth. Spread on cupcakes. Store uncovered until ready to sell.