Ingredients

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 large Granny Smith apples, julienned
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 4 eggs
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups no-sugar-added applesauce
• 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
• 2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 to 5 ounces unpasteurized goat cheese
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pans with cupcake liners (for a total of 40 cupcakes).
2. For the apple filling: In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and apples. Set aside.
3. For the applesauce cake batter: Cream together the granulated sugar, butter and oil in a large bowl. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat until well mixed. Add the applesauce and vanilla and mix well.
4. Fill the liners one-third full with the applesauce cake batter. Add some of the apple filling on top, and then add additional applesauce cake batter to cover the apple filling; the liners should be two-thirds full. Bake until an inserted toothpick comes out clean, 16 to 19 minutes. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
5. For the frosting: In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream together the butter and goat cheese until light and smooth. Add the confectioners' sugar 1 cup at a time and mix until fully incorporated. Add the vanilla bean paste and cinnamon and beat on high until light and fluffy.
6. Using a piping bag, pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes.