Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners and set aside.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set the dry ingredients aside.
Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 4: Beat in the large eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 5: Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined, being careful not to overmix the batter.
Step 6: Gently fold in the finely diced apples until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Step 7: Divide the cupcake batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
Step 8: Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
Step 9: Let the baked cupcakes cool in the muffin tin for about 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. They must be entirely cool before frosting.
Step 10: For the Caramel Frosting: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the softened unsalted butter until smooth. Gradually beat in half of the powdered sugar until incorporated.
Step 11: Add the heavy cream, 1/2 cup of caramel sauce, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the butter mixture. Beat until combined.
Step 12: Gradually beat in the remaining powdered sugar until the frosting is light, fluffy, and smooth. If the frosting is too thick, add a tiny bit more cream; if too thin, add more powdered sugar.
Step 13: Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them generously using an offset spatula or a piping bag. Drizzle additional caramel sauce over the frosted cupcakes just before serving for an extra touch of decadence.