Apple And Date Cupcakes - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 None apples, peeled, cored, finely chopped
4.5 oz dried dates, pitted, chopped
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened slightly
2/3 cup brown sugar
3 None eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup maple syrup
2 1/4 cups self-rising flour, sifted
1 tsp ground cinnamon
8.75 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F. Line 2 - 12-cup muffin pans with paper liners.
Bring apples and 1 cup water to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 3-4 mins, until tender. Remove from heat. Add dates and baking soda. Cover and let stand for 10 mins. Drain. Let cool slightly.
Meanwhile, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add maple syrup, flour and cinnamon. Add apple mixture and stir until just combined. Distribute between paper liners. Bake for 15-20 mins, until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 5 mins then transfer to a wire rack to cool.
To make the icing, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating constantly, until fluffy. Add lemon juice. Pipe or spread icing over cooled cupcakes.