Caramel Apple Cupcakes Recipe

Amanda Powell | A Cookie Named Desire

These Caramel Apple Cupcakes are fluffy cinnamon cupcakes stuffed with caramel apple filling and topped with a creamy vanilla frosting drizzled with caramel. The perfect cupcake to get you ready for fall.

When it comes to the fall season, I go all out. I get my PSL of the season the moment it comes out.

I decorate the first slightly chilly day in all autumn leaves and mini pumpkins. The whole family goes apple and pumpkin picking while sipping on apple cider.

Caramel Apple Cupcakes Photo

Pumpkins are carved, and Halloween movies are watched over bowls of butter and caramel popcorn.

And I bake all.the.things.

Yes, I love pumpkin spice and pumpkin everything, but apples are definitely my favorite of the season.

Caramel Apple Cupcakes Picture

Caramel apples are my weakness to the point where I rarely keep them in the house because I will eat them all. But that doesn’t stop me from having caramel apple-flavored things all the time.

I’ve been dreaming about these caramel apple cupcakes for ages.

Caramel Apple Cupcakes Image

I was just waiting for the time when it would be more appropriate to make them and share because no one besides me is thinking about caramel apple anything in the middle of summer.

Originally, I thought I would make an apple-infused cupcake, but then I realized I really wanted to balance the apple and caramel flavors, so it is really like eating my favorite fall treat.

Caramel Apple Cupcakes Pic

Instead, I opted for a fluffy cinnamon cupcake. It’s moist and incredibly warm with spice.

I then made the filling by cooking down shredded apple with butter, cinnamon, vanilla, and a touch of sugar.

File 1 - Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Once cooked down, I coat with caramel. I love using my salted caramel sauce, but apple cider caramel is just dreamy here too.

The trick is to really pack in that caramel apple filling. It may be just me, but I like it when I almost overstuff the cupcakes with the filling. It’s soooo good.

File 2 - Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Again, because I didn’t want to overwhelm the cupcakes, we top them with a simple fluffy vanilla frosting and a drizzle of more caramel sauce.

It’s like the full embodiment of fall in a single bite.

File 3 - Caramel Apple Cupcakes

If you want to get fancy, you can top them with dried apples, or even small slices of apples drizzled with more caramel.

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Caramel Apple Cupcakes Recipe

    12 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups Cake Flour
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Ground Cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup Granulated Sugar
  • 2 large Eggs, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1/2 cup Buttermilk, room temperature
For the Filling:
  • 1/2 large Granny Smith Apple, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
  • 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1/3 cup Caramel Sauce
For the Frosting:
  • 3/4 cup Unsalted Butter, room temperature
  • 3 cups Powdered Sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 2-3 tablespoons Heavy Cream
  • 3 tablespoons Caramel Sauce

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a cupcake tin with liners and set aside.
  2. Add the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and stir to combine well.
  3. Add the sugar and butter to your mixer and beat until light and fluffy – about 5 minutes.
  4. Add in the eggs one at a time and beat the mixture for about 2 minutes after you add each egg. Beat in the vanilla.
  5. Alternate between adding the flour – in three additions – and the buttermilk – in two additions. Begin and end with the flour. Stir until just combined.
  6. Evenly divide the batter among the cupcake liners and bake for about 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middles of the cupcakes comes out with only a few crumbs sticking to it.
  7. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
  8. As the cupcakes are baking, shred your apple (you do not need to peel the apple). Add to a skillet along with the butter, sugar, and cinnamon. Cook until the apples are soft and there is not much liquid in the skillet. Stir in the vanilla and caramel sauce.
  9. While the cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting. Beat the butter until creamy. Add in the powdered sugar and salt and mix for about 3 minutes. The mixture will look clumpy and that is okay. Slowly beat in the vanilla, then the heavy cream one tablespoon at a time until the mixture becomes a silky, pipeable consistency.
  10. Fit a piping bag with your favorite tip, then fill with the frosting.
  11. Cut out holes in the cupcakes and stuff with the caramel apple filling. Frost with the vanilla frosting, then drizzle with the caramel.

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Cooking Method:
Baking
Category:
Desserts
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Related Recipes:
Baking Recipes, Baked Recipes, Cupcake Recipes, Dessert Recipes, Party Food Recipes, Fall Recipes, Apple Recipes, Caramel Recipes, Cinnamon Recipes
Recipe Yields:
12 cupcakes
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Total Time:
Related Post:
Published:
Author: Amanda Powell
Recipe Yields: 12 cupcakes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 cupcake
Servings Per Recipe 12

Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat 187
Calories 505

% Daily Value*
36%
Total Fat 23g
71%
  Saturated Fat 14g
10%
Sodium 238mg
24%
Total Carbohydrate 71g
0%
  Dietary Fiber 0g
  Sugars 54g
3%
Protein 2g

* Percent Daily Value are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrition Facts are estimated based on ingredients and data provided by Fat Secret. Please consult a doctor if you have special dietary needs.
Amanda Powell

About Amanda

Amanda is well known for her blog, A Cookie Named Desire. As she should be, because baking is her thing! We're so glad she's a Baking Fanatic!

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