Vanilla Cupcake Recipe

Moist and delicate, this is a mouthwatering vanilla cupcake recipe that you'll want to make sure to keep on hand. It's the addition of the North Coast apple sauce that cuts down on the sugar and oil, but guaranteed, it does not cut back on the taste!

Course: Desserts

Makes: 12-16

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 22 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup granulated sugar

½ cup vegetable oil

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup North Coast Organic Apple Sauce

2 cups all-purpose flour

½ tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

Vanilla Buttercream:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup milk or heavy cream

1 tsp vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350˚F and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, oil, egg, vanilla extract and North Coast apple sauce until smooth. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined.

Fill the muffin tins about ¾ of the way full. Bake for 20-22 minutes, until golden brown or a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before frosting.

To make the frosting, beat the butter on medium speed for 2 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add in the sugar, heavy cream, vanilla and salt and beat for additional 2 minutes, until light and fluffy.

If the frosting is too thick, add in an additional 1-2 tbsp milk.