Chocolate Cinnamon Cupcake

Ingredients

Cupcakes

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• (Makes 12)

Mocha Frosting

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups confectioner's sugar
• 1/8 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup warm milk
• 2 teaspoon instant coffee

Directions

Cupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
3. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
4. Beat together sugar, apple sauce, eggs and vanilla until its well combined. Add to flour mixture and mix until its incorporated.
5. Fill prepared 3/4 of the way and bake for 12 - 16 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Set to cool, once cool enough to touch turn cupcakes out of pan and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Mocha Frosting

1. Beat together butter, sugar, cocoa powder and vanilla until light and fluffy.
2. In a separate bowl mix warm milk and instant coffee until instant coffee dissolves. Pour into butter mixture and mix until well combined.
3. Pipe on top of cooled cupcakes, and garnish with a few chocolate shavings. Serve.