Caramel-Glazed Apple Spice Cupcakes -

6 tbsp butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 1/2 cups cranberry applesauce*
3/4 cup chopped, toasted pecans (optional)

*Plain applesauce will work just fine in these cupcakes, too, if you don’t want to make the cranberry applesauce. Throw in a handful of dried cranberries if you’re using plain to get a similar flavor effect.

Caramel Glaze -

2 tbsp butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/4 salt
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar