Caramel Apple Cupcake

We're told that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but what exactly are the health benefits of apples? Here are ten reasons to heed the advice of that old proverb.the ff are:

Bone Protection
French researchers found that a flavanoid called phloridzin that is found only in apples may protect post-menopausal women from osteoporosis and may also increase bone density. Boron, another ingredient in apples, also strengthens bones.

Asthma Help
One recent study shows that children with asthma who drank apple juice on a daily basis suffered from less wheezing than children who drank apple juice only once per month. Another study showed that children born to women who eat a lot of apples during pregnancy have lower rates of asthma than children whose mothers ate few apples.

Alzheimer's Prevention
A study on mice at Cornell University found that the quercetin in apples may protect brain cells from the kind of free radical damage that may lead to Alzheimer's disease.

Lower Cholesterol
The pectin in apples lowers LDL ("bad") cholesterol. People who eat two apples per day may lower their cholesterol by as much as 16 percent.

Lung Cancer Prevention
According to a study of 10,000 people, those who ate the most apples had a 50 percent lower risk of developing lung cancer. Researchers believe this is due to the high levels of the flavonoids quercetin and naringin in apples.

Breast Cancer Prevention
A Cornell University study found that rats who ate one apple per day reduced their risk of breast cancer by 17 percent. Rats fed three apples per day reduced their risk by 39 percent and those fed six apples per day reduced their risk by 44 percent.

Colon Cancer Prevention
One study found that rats fed an extract from apple skins had a 43 percent lower risk of colon cancer. Other research shows that the pectin in apples reduces the risk of colon cancer and helps maintain a healthy digestive tract.

Liver Cancer Prevention
Research found that rats fed an extract from apple skins had a 57 percent lower risk of liver cancer.

Diabetes Management
The pectin in apples supplies galacturonic acid to the body which lowers the body's need for insulin and may help in the management of diabetes.

Weight Loss
A Brazilian study found that women who ate three apples or pears per day lost more weight while dieting than women who did not eat fruit while dieting.

Ingredients

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• apple Cupcakes 
• 9 regular cupcakes / 350 degree oven
• 2-3 apples, Granny Smith 
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ginger 
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 2 large eggs 
• 1/2 cup oil 
• 1/4 cup apple juice 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla  
• Rinse and core the apples. Place them on an ovenproof pan or baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes until soft. Remove the apples from the oven, let cool slightly, then remove peel and mush the apple with the back of a fork. Measure out one cup of apple mush and set aside to cool. 
• Combine flour, sugar, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt in a medium-sized bowl and whisk to combine. Crack the eggs into a separate medium-sized bowl and beat with a fork to break up. Add the oil, apple juice, vanilla and cooled apple mush and mix to combine. Combine the wet and dry ingredients until all ingredients come together. shopping list
• Scoop into cupcake papers about 3/4 full so cupcakes will have a significant dome. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-22 minutes, rotating the pan after 15 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. 
• cream cheese 
• Filling 
• 1/4 stick butter 
• 4 ounces Philly cream cheese
• Bring the butter to room temperature by letting it sit out for one or two hours. Then beat the butter vigorously with an electric mixer. Scrape the bowl and add the cream cheese and beat until combined. Add the sifted powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat until smooth. 
• Thick caramel
• 1/2 cup butter  
• 1 cup packed brown sugar 
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup 
• 6 ounces sweetened condensed milk 
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• Bring the butter, brown sugar, corn syrup and sweetened condensed milk to a boil over medium-high heat. With a wooden spoon, stir together and then slowly add the heavy cream. Continue to stir for about 20 minutes until the caramel has reached 248 degrees. It is important to continuously stir the mixture and to allow it to reach this temperature. 
• Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and salt. Transfer to a bowl and continue to stir for two to three minutes, allowing the caramel to cool slightly.

How to make it

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• Assembly
• Using a small paring knife, cut a cone shape out of the top of each cupcake. Flip the cone and cut off the excess cake. Save the top for later. Fill each cavity with a teaspoon or so of cream cheese filling. Replace the top of each cupcake pressing down firmly to adhere the top to the filling.
• Using a small offset spatula, frost each cupcake with the caramel. If desired, sprinkle warm caramel with toppings, such as coconut or crushed nuts. Transfer the cupcake into the freezer to allow the caramel to set without dripping over the edge of the cupcake paper.
• Continue frosting and topping the cupcakes and try to work fast. As the caramel cools, it becomes less easy to spread. If possible, work in pairs and let your helper top the cupcakes and transfer them to the freezer. By the time you reach the last few cupcakes, you will no longer need to freeze them and you can take all the cupcakes out and transfer them to the counter.
• Top off each cupcake with a popsicle or craft stick to finish off the look. 

 
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http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/10-health-benefits-of-apples.html