Ingredients

• 1  cup granulated sugar
• 1/3  cup shortening
• 1-1/3  cups applesauce
• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2  teaspoon baking powder
• 1  teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2  teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4  teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4  teaspoon ground cloves
• 3/4  cup raisins
• 1/2  cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3  cup butter
• 2  cups sifted powdered sugar
• 1  tablespoons milk
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
•   Milk (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degree F. Line eighteen 2 1/2-inch muffin cups with paper bake cups; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, beat granulated sugar and shortening with an electric mixer on medium speed until well mixed. Beat in applesauce. (Mixture will appear curdled.) In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, and cloves. Beat into applesauce mixture. Stir in raisins.

3. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full.* Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in muffin cups on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from muffin cups. Cool completely on wire rack.

4. For frosting, in a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar and butter. Cook and stir over medium heat until melted. Remove from heat. Stir in powdered sugar, the 1 tablespoon milk, and the vanilla. If necessary, stir in enough additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to make spreading consistency (if frosting thickens, stir in additional milk). Frost cupcakes. Makes 18 cupcakes.