Salted Caramel Apple Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

2 1/4 cups

all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp

baking soda

1 1/2 tsp

cinnamon

1/4 tsp

nutmeg

1/2 tsp

salt

1/3 cup

salted butter (, at room temperature)

1 1/4 cups

granulated sugar

1/2 cup

applesauce (, at room temperature)

large eggs

2 tsp

lemon juice

1 tsp

vanilla extract

1 cup

finely grated Granny Smith Apples ((about 4 small apples, peel them first))

Caramel Frosting (, recipe follows)

1/2 tsp

coarse sea salt (, or to taste)

1 cup

salted butter (, at room temperature)

4 cups

powdered sugar

3/4 cup

Caramel Sauce (, recipe follows (cooled completely))

1 tsp

vanilla extract

1 cup

granulated sugar

1/4 cup

water

1/4 cup

salted butter

2/3 cup

heavy cream