Good morning!

 Tomorrow is December! OMG! can’t believe we are this far already. Anyway, to the point! Fall flavors, finally here (for me at least). I personally loved making this recipe, I made changes to a recipe I had and I think this one is better.

The kitchen was smelling so good while baking, that I was desperate to eat one cupcake. You can frost it or not, it is not vital but the combination of cream cheese frosting and the spices in the cupcake are amazing. Here we go!

Ingredients 

Cupcakes:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp allspice
• 1 3/4 cups packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 12 oz cream cheese at room temperature
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

1. Pre heat oven to 350F/ 180C degrees. Line two cupcake trays (x12) or spray two 9-inch round baking pans and then lightly dust with flour and shake out excess. I used one cupcake tray and the rest I baked it in a loaf pan.
2. In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice, set aside.
3. Pour brown sugar into a bowl and break up with fingertips until no clumps remain.
4. Pour in vegetable oil and applesauce to the brown sugar and blend until well combined.
   

   

   
5. Mix in eggs and vanilla.
   

   
6. Add in 1/2 of the flour mixture and mix on low-speed until combined, then blend in buttermilk, then add remaining 1/2 of the flour mixture and mix until well combined.
   

   
7. Divide mixture evenly among cupcake trays or baking pans. Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 18 minutes for cupcakes and 28 – 30 minutes for cake.
8. Once done, allow to cool in pans about 5 – 10 minutes. For cake, run a knife around edges to ensure cake is loose and invert upside down onto a cooling rack.

For the frosting: 

1. In a bowl cream butter and cream cheese until smooth.
2. Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla and mix until well blended.

Now you can frost cake or cupcakes and sprinkle some nuts over it. Enjoy it!