Apple & Dried Fruit Cupcakes with Orange & Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

Dear Melika, from Flickr sent me some chick peeps in the mail yesterday..

Delighted by their sunshine yellow appearance, I started scheming up potential cupcake ideas..

Sadly (still on the natural sweetener kick) I only had apple juice concentrate.

I didn't think marshmallow would be a good buddy with apple, so put the peeps away for another day..

Friends of apples:

*cinnamon *pear *rhubarb *raisins *orange peel *oats *ginger

SO-

Raisins & dried orange peel, pre-soaked in hot water & maple syrup, stirred through an apple batter.

The batter was given a slight apple edge, with the use of the juice concentrate (instead of sugar) and apple sauce (to lower the fat content).

The cakes had a nice texture, but could have been a little more moist (maybe more apple sauce?)..

The frosting used confectioners sugar and partially hydrogenated margarine.

In place of milk, I used orange juice, and added some orange essence for an extra boost.

I also sprinkled in some cinnamon, and a dash of vanilla essence.

All in all- delicious!

My sampler mother said they were the best so far..
My non fruity-loving husband, said they were good, but not his thing..

A real nice autumnal cupcake :)