TOASTED ALMOND CUPCAKES WITH CARAMEL FROSTING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans).
• Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
• In shallow pan, bake almonds 6 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown: cool 15 minutes.
• Reserve 1 cup almonds for garnish.
• In food processor, grind remaining almonds until finely ground.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil, eggs and almond extract with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds.
• Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally (Batter will be lumpy.)
• Fold in ground almonds.
• Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.
• Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Cool 10 minutes.
• Remove from pan to cooling rack.
• Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
• Stir in brown sugar.
• Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.
• Reduce heat to low; boil and stir 2 minutes.
• Stir in milk.
• Heat to boiling.
• Remove from heat.
• Cool to lukewarm, about 30 minutes.
• Gradually stir powdered sugar into brown sugar mixture.
• Place saucepan of frosting in bowl of cold water.
• Beat with spoon until smooth and spreadable.
• If frosting becomes too stiff, stir in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time.
• Frost a few cupcakes at a time with 1 tablespoon frosting each; press reserved almonds lightly into frosting.
• Store loosely covered at room temperature.