Ohhhhh WOW Salted Carmel Apple Cupcakes........ ohh and Asian Chicken Thighs.

Another nice Monday off in the books! Got some work done this morning, had a meeting, then worked my butt off with Erin at the gym! For dinner tonight I planned to make chicken thighs. I absolutely love chicken thighs!! They are so much more tender and juicy!! I am always looking for a new chicken thigh recipe and came across one a while ago that I decided to try out. It was called Asian Chicken Thighs.

Asian Chicken Thighs

5t olive oil
5 Chicken Thighs Skin removed
1/3c water
1/4c brown sugar
2T orange juice
2T soy sauce
2T ketchup
1T white vinegar
4 garlic cloves minced
1/2t red pepper flakes
1/4t Chinese 5 Spice (this was only 2 bucks at Giant eagle... def adds good flavor)
Sliced Green Onion
Rice or Noodles

Very simple and easy. First put your oil in a pan on the stove and heat up. Add your chicken thighs and cook 8-10 minutes.  Then whisk all other ingredients besides the green onion in a bowl. Pour over your chicken and bring to boil. Simmer uncovered for 30-35 minutes, flip chicken occasionally throughout cooking. The recipe said to mix 2t corn starch with 2T cold water to thicken up but I didn't think it needed it, it thickened up some by the time it was done cooking. This was very good will definitely make this one again.

Okay, enough about dinner, I discovered the most amazing cupcakes ever!! I can't get over how delicious they are!!! This is dangerous! While debating on what time of cupcake to make today... I had a bunch, but went with the one that I had most of the ingredients already at home. To make myself feel better about eating them I bought mini muffin tins hahahha wishful thinking I could eat a whole pan of mini ones! LOL. Chris said they were amazing and let Buddy lick his fingers from some frosting... WELL Buddy did not leave my side as I was frosting all of the cupcakes, he even realized they were great just based on the frosting!!! I guess I have good luck with Apple flavored things because the last apple cupcakes were great too! Not sure what one I like more but this one may win!

Salted Carmel Apple Cupcakes

For the cupcakes:

2 1/4c Flour
1-1/2t baking soda
1-1/2t cinnamon
1/4t nutmeg
1/2t salt

Mix all of these ingredients in a bowl and set aside. In another bowl mix
1/3c salted butter, room temperature
1-1/4c sugar
1/2c apple sauce.
Blend these together. Then add 2 eggs, one at a time 2t lemon juice, and 1t vanilla.

Slowly blend in the dry mix until just combined.  Next fold in 1c of grated Granny Smith Apples (I did this in my food processor).  Divide into your muffin tins.  Bake at 350 for 17 minutes or 10 minutes for mini's

Carmel Sauce

Heat 1 c sugar and 1/4c water on high heat whisking constantly. Once the sugar is dissolved stop whisking and continue to allow it to boil.  Allow it to boil until it turns a dark amber color. You can swirl the pot if you want. Once amber immediately add 1/4c of butter. It will be all crazy bubbly and stuff but mix until melted. Remove from heat, wait 3 seconds and then add 2/3c of cream. Let cool.

Fluffy Carmel Frosting (I used half of this recipe--I always have too much left over)

1c whipped butter
4 cups powdered sugar
3/4 c of your Carmel sauce--- Make sure the sauce is cooled completely (I didn't and it made the frosting not fluffy)
1t vanilla.

Whip the butter with your mixer for 3-4 minutes or until fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, Carmel sauce, and vanilla and mix another 3-4 minutes. 

These are the best!! Wish I could share with everyone!