Pumpkin has been taunting me for the last month. Recipes featuring this delicious fall delicacy seem to be cropping up everywhere. In the newspapers, on the blogosphere, and on every magazine cover on the magazine racks. But alas, every local grocery store cannot seem to get their hands on this ever popular autumn staple. So while I wait for the stores to start stocking up on pumpkin, I’ve decided to turn to another fall baking staple…Apple.  September is the time of back to school and with that comes the ever present “new school year” symbol of an apple. Apparently it’s a the cool thing to do to bring your new teacher an apple, but personally I would rather receive a cupcake. These apple cupcakes are incredibly moist and the warm cinnamon flavor celebrates fall in the best way possible. I made them for a tailgate last fall and was delighted by the subtle apple flavor and how nicely a cinnamon cream cheese frosting complemented them. They are a perfect bake sale dessert … or even a delicious breakfast…if you are into that sorta thing. Which I definitely am. Enjoy!

Ingredients: Makes 18 cupcakes

• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups applesauce