Place the room temperature soft butter in a stand kitchen mixer with the sugar and let it work at low speed for 3-4 minutes. You want to cream the butter.
Add the applesauce and the eggs while the mixer is still working at low speed.
Add the baking powder, the vanilla paste, the milk, the decaffeinated instant coffee and the salt.
Slowly add the flour, one tablespoon at the time.
Prepare a mini cupcake baking pan with the liners and fill each liner for 3/4 with the cupcake mix.
Bake the mini cupcakes in the preheated oven at 350 F for 20 minutes. Let them cool down completely.
Pour one teaspoon of coffee (decaffeinated in my case) on each cupcake.
In a kitchen stand mixer add the mascarpone cheese and the butter. Let the mixer work for 4-5 minutes up until the butter will get white and shiny.
Slowly add the powdered sugar.
Transfer the frosting in a pastry chef bag and decorate the cupcakes. Enjoy!
Store the cupcakes at room temperature, they will get dry in the fridge.