Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients for the Cupcake

• 6 tart apples (I used Granny Smith)

• ½ cup apple cider vinegar

• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ¼ teaspoon dark brown sugar

• 2 cups cake flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice

• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

• ¾ cups (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes, at room temperature

• 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• Optional: 9 caramel candies, cut in half

Ingredients for the Classic Caramel Sauce

• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar

• ¼ cup corn syrup

• ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened, cut into ½-inch cubes

• 1 ½ cups heavy cream

Ingredients for the Caramel Buttercream

• 1 ½ cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 1 ½ pounds powdered sugar

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¼ cup classic caramel sauce