My Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes are a perfect treat that combines classic flavors. I’ve made apple cupcakes before but wanted something a bit easier than my other recipes. This homemade apple cupcake has a delicious apple filling and is topped with a homemade apple cinnamon buttercream. Every bite contains delicious apple cinnamon flavor that can’t be beaten!
Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes Recipe
While I wanted this recipe to be one you could whip up all in one bowl, there is just no getting around the process of prepping your apples with butter, sugar, and spices. Trust me when I say, the result is 100% worth the effort. It only takes a few extra minutes while you are baking the cupcakes to cook down the apple filling.
This apple cupcakes recipe is a great way to make a simple cupcake seem decadent. By adding a cooked apple spice filling into the middle after they are baked, you add a hidden element of flavor and texture that really adds to the experience of eating this cupcake.
If you want the ultimate holiday flavor on your dessert buffet, make sure to add these Cinnamon Eggnog & Bourbon Cupcakes to your menu.
Can You Skip the Filling in These Apple Cupcakes?
If you want to skip the filling step, you could wait to bake the cupcakes and add that cooked apple mixture to your batter before baking instead of chopped apples. The result would be all of the cinnamon and apple texture mixed into every single bite instead of just in the center of the cupcake. Both give amazing results, so do what works best for you.
If you don’t mind a bit of extra work, you will fall in love with my Caramel Apple Cupcakes and my Caramel Apple Milky Way Cupcakes recipes.
What’s the Best Apple for This Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes Recipe?
In my opinion, almost any apple will result in delicious cupcakes with this recipe. Typically, I like to use a firmer apple when baking to add extra texture. A good Granny Smith or Honeycrisp works great for this recipe. You can, however, use Gala, Fuji, or even Jonagold for a nice sweet option that cooks down beautifully for your cupcake.
How to Frost Apple Cupcakes
My apple cinnamon buttercream is a bit different than your average recipe as it includes bits of apple. You can cut the apple into small pieces so that it is easy to pipe through any tip in your piping bag. Alternately, you can make this be one cupcake you use a larger tip for piping so you can leave the pieces a bit bigger for more texture.
When I make these cupcakes, I allow them to cool completely before filling them with cooked apple mixture. Then, I will pipe on a nice swirl of frosting with a large tip and sometimes even drizzle a bit of caramel syrup over the top before serving. You could even save a little of the cooked apples and add a teaspoon to the top of the frosting if you wanted.
Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup milk (you could use apple juice too)
- 1/2 cup chopped apples
Filling
- 1 large apple, chopped
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp milk mixed with 1 heaping tbsp corn starch
Buttercream
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
- 1 lb powdered sugar, sifted
- 2-3 tbsp heavy cream
- remaining apple mixture
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Line your cupcake pan with liners.
- Cream together the butter and sugars.
- One at a time, mix in the eggs. Add the vanilla then beat on high for 2 minutes. Scrape the sides of the bowl.
- Sift into the batter the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Mix by hand about 5-6 strokes.
- Add the milk and mix only until all the flour and milk are incorporated.
- Gently fold in the apples. Do not over mix!
- Bake for 17-19 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Leave in pan for 3-4 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Filling
- In a medium pan, melt the butter on medium-high heat.
- Add the apples, sugars and vanilla and stir. Cook until bubbling, about 5 minutes.
- Add the milk + cornstarch mixture and bring to a bubble. Cook for 1-2 minutes until thickens.
- Remove from heat and continue to stir for about 1 minute.
- Set aside to cool.
- Fill cupcakes and reserve remaining apple mixture for buttercream.
Buttercream
- Cream together the butter and shortening.
- Add about 1/2 the powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
- Add 1-2 tbsp cream and mix until combined.
- Add all of the remaining apple mixture, cinnamon and salt. Mix until smooth.
- Add remaining powdered sugar and beat until smooth.
- Add enough cream until you get the consistency you desire.
- Scrape sides of bowl and mix on high for 1 minute.
- Frost cupcakes and drizzle your favorite caramel sauce over frosting.
Assembly
- Core the center of your cupcakes out.
- Fill with apple filling.
- Top with apple cinnamon buttercream.
- Drizzle with your favorite caramel syrup.
Kaitlyn
Monday 18th of August 2014
This has got to be my favorite cupcake recipe ever! I found this over a year ago and have made it a lot. I finally found this one here and was sooo excited when I realized you had more yummy recipes! Ill definitely keep checking back for more!
Michelle
Tuesday 24th of September 2013
How full do you fill the liners for these cupcakes? I don't believe the recipes says. Also, how small of chunks do you cut the apples into for the filling/buttercream?
Aubrae
Sunday 2nd of December 2012
I would like to make these! How do I hollow out the cupcakes and how much do I remove? Thanks!
Betsy ~ @JavaCupcake
Monday 3rd of December 2012
I use an apple corer to take out the centers. :)
Nas
Sunday 18th of November 2012
This recipe looks amazing! I'd love to try making the frosting & filling & using them on plain cupcakes I have stored in the freezer. I often prepare plain cupcakes in chocolate & vanilla & freeze them for future use; that way when I'd like to or need to make cupcakes I can concentrate on frostings, fillings & toppers instead of baking.
My question is, do you feel that the apple cinnamon filling & buttercream would taste better with a vanilla cupcake, or a chocolate cupcake? Has anyone here ever tried these combinations?
Thanks :)
Betsy ~ @JavaCupcake
Sunday 18th of November 2012
I think it'd be great with both!! Apple and vanilla is more classic... but apple and chocolate!! DELISH! Let me know how they work for you!
Hailey
Wednesday 14th of November 2012
I plan on making these soon and from experience what tastes better, or apple juice Thank you it seems like the majority has liked the recipe and I think it's sounds delicious . Thank you