• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Add 12 cupcake liners to a cupcake pan and set aside.
• Add eggs, sugar, applesauce, and vanilla extract to the bowl of an electric mixer. Mix on medium until combined.
• In a small bowl, add flour pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk to combine. Add dry ingredients to the mixing bowl and mix on low until combined.
• Use a cookie scoop to fill each cupcake liner halfway full with the batter. There should be enough batter for exactly 12 cupcakes.
• Bake for 18-21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool to room temperature before frosting.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• Add softened cream cheese, butter, vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice to the bowl of a mixer. Mix until ingredients are combined.
• Add 1 cup of powdered sugar to the mixing bowl at a time, mixing until incorporated. Repeat this process until all 4 cups of powdered sugar have been added to the frosting.
• Frost cupcakes once cooled, and top with a light sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice if desired.