Apple Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

CUPCAKES:

Nonstick cooking spray
1 1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large Jonagold or Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and grated

FROSTING:

3 tablespoons softened, unsalted butter
1 package (3 oz. size) cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions:

1. To prepare the cupcakes: Spray muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Heat oven to 350. Sift together the flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Set aside.
2. With an electric mixer set at medium speed, combine the sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla; beat 2 minutes. Slowly add the flour mixture, beating for about 1 minute to blend. Then fold in the grated apple.
3. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven about 25 minutes, or until the cupcakes test done in the center. Cool in the pan 5 minutes before unmolding onto a rack. Cool completely.
4. To prepare the frosting: Beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla and lemon juice until smooth. Frost the tops of the cupcakes and let set up about 1 hour before serving.