Apple Cinnamon Rice Pudding

Ah, rice pudding. I have to admit that I’ve never had rice pudding until I made this batch. Yet somehow I knew from reading recipes and looking at pictures that I would love it!

I first became enamored with the idea of rice pudding after seeing Joy the Baker post about it. Smitten Kitchen closely followed suit with her own version. Either it was fate, or the two of them were scheming to invade our minds with images of creamy, spiced rice. Either way, kudos to you; you have made me a believer.

Apples + Peanut Butter, Part Deux

Ah, these cupcakes. I am determined to perfect them! After having forgotten the egg last time and receiving yet another bag of apples from C, I had to make the Peanut Butter Apple Cupcakes again.

Sadly, I liked my “mistake” version so much better. The addition of the egg this time totally detracted from the peanut butter flavor. The resulting cake was more subtle, but not what I was looking for. I think from here on out, I will only use one egg in the batter – just enough to provide some structure to the batter.

Challenge: Apples + Peanut Butter

So C, my coworker, has an apple tree or a friend with an apple tree or something. Whenever he brings in a bag of apples to work, I take some with the promise of bringing back baked apple goodness for the office.

Apple pie, apple bread, apple cobbler, apple tart… I could’ve resorted to any of these, but a couple of things: 1) I’m just about out of cinnamon, and 2) there’s GOT to be another flavor pairing for apples that’s not cinnamon or cheddar; I’m so tired of cinnamon-apple anything.

This is where A comes in. He tells me about how he’s been on a big peanut butter and apple kick lately. Hmm… the cogs are turning. Having never tried the combo myself, I went to cut up an apple. Wow. There’s something about the difference in textures and how the saltiness in the peanut butter brings out the sweetness of the apple that lends itself to good eats.

So here, I’ve concocted the following recipe based on Paula Deen’s Peanut Butter Cake recipe and a caramel frosting recipe adapted from Chow.

Say hello to Peanut Butter Apple Cupcakes with Caramel Buttercream.