Ah, fall—the season of cozy sweaters, crunchy leaves, and, of course, all things apple and caramel. If you’re like me, the moment September hits, you’re on the hunt for fall dessert recipes that scream comfort and flavor. Enter: Caramel Apple Cupcakes.

These aren’t your ordinary cupcakes. We’re talking fluffy, spiced apple cupcakes that are loaded with juicy apple bits and crowned with a silky caramel buttercream frosting that’s so good, you’ll want to lick the bowl (no judgment here!). They’re the perfect balance of sweet, spiced, and buttery goodness.

Whether you’re baking for a family get-together, a school event, or just to treat yourself on a lazy Sunday, this apple dessert idea is guaranteed to impress without making you break a sweat in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love These Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Fall Flavors in Every Bite: Cinnamon, nutmeg, caramel, and fresh apples—what’s not to love?
Soft & Moist Texture: Thanks to sour cream and a mix of butter and oil, these cupcakes are ultra-tender.
That Frosting Though: The caramel buttercream frosting is dangerously good—smooth, rich, and drizzled with extra caramel for good measure.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a cozy fall brunch or a Thanksgiving dessert table, these cupcakes fit right in.

What You’ll Need

For the Cupcakes:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp salt
¼ cup unsalted butter, room temp
¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar
¾ tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp sour cream
2 large eggs
¾ cup milk
1 cup finely chopped apple

For the Caramel Buttercream Frosting:

1 ¼ cups unsalted butter, room temp
5 cups powdered sugar
4-6 tbsp caramel sauce
Pinch of cinnamon
Extra caramel sauce (for drizzling)
Fresh apple slices (for decorating)

How to Make These Spiced Apple Cupcakes

Preheat & Prep: Heat your oven to 350°F and line a cupcake pan with 14-16 liners.
Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
Cream the Butter & Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat butter, oil, white sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy—about 3-4 minutes. Add vanilla and sour cream, mixing well.
Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides to make sure everything’s cozy and combined.
Combine Wet & Dry: Add half the dry ingredients, mix gently, then add the milk. Finish with the remaining dry ingredients and mix until smooth. Be careful not to overmix—no one likes a tough cupcake.
Fold in Apples: Using a spatula, gently fold in the chopped apples until evenly distributed.
Bake to Perfection: Fill cupcake liners about ¾ full. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

Whipping Up the Caramel Buttercream Frosting

Beat room temperature butter until creamy and smooth.
Gradually add half the powdered sugar, beating well.
Add 4 tablespoons of caramel sauce and a pinch of cinnamon; mix until smooth.
Add remaining powdered sugar, followed by more caramel sauce if needed to reach a soft, spreadable consistency.
Pipe onto cooled cupcakes.
Drizzle with extra caramel sauce and top with a fresh apple slice.

Olivia’s Tips for Fall Dessert Success

Chop Apples Finely: You want little bits that melt into the batter—not big chunks that weigh the cupcakes down.
Use a good-quality caramel Sauce: It makes all the difference in the frosting’s flavor. Store-bought works, but homemade is a game-changer.
Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye on these—overbaking will dry them out. Toothpick testing is your friend.
Decorating Tip: For a rustic, autumn vibe, use thinly sliced apple rounds and drizzle caramel in a fun zigzag pattern on top.

The Sweet Story Behind These Apple Dessert Gems

I created these caramel apple cupcakes after a memorable orchard trip with my family. We came home with a car trunk full of apples (I may have gotten carried away), and I needed an apple dessert idea that wasn’t pie—because honestly, I wasn’t in a pie-making mood. These cupcakes were born out of that lazy-afternoon creativity, and they’ve been a hit at every fall gathering since. The caramel drizzle? That’s my kids’ favorite part, right after “taste-testing” the frosting straight from the bowl.

What to Serve with Caramel Apple Cupcakes

While these cupcakes are absolutely fabulous on their own, they pair wonderfully with a warm mug of spiced chai or a glass of cold apple cider. Planning a fall dessert spread? Add in a pumpkin roll or cinnamon sugar doughnuts for a full-on autumn treat table. And if you’re feeling extra indulgent, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream next to one of these cupcakes is pure heaven.

How to Store These Cupcake Beauties

Leftovers? Lucky you. Store these cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want them to last longer, pop them in the fridge for up to 5 days—just bring them back to room temp before serving so that buttercream gets back to its creamy glory. Not planning to eat them all right away? You can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2 months. Just thaw, frost, and drizzle when ready to serve.

FAQs About Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?

Absolutely! Bake the cupcakes a day in advance and store them unfrosted. Frost and decorate the next day for best results.

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?

Yes! While homemade is divine, a high-quality store-bought caramel will still give you a luscious caramel buttercream frosting.

What type of apples should I use?

I love using Granny Smith for a tart bite, but Honeycrisp or Gala work beautifully too for a sweeter flavor.

Bake Up Some Sweet Fall Magic

If you’re ready to fill your kitchen with the cozy aroma of cinnamon, apples, and buttery caramel, these caramel apple cupcakes are calling your name. They’re the ultimate blend of comforting fall flavors wrapped up in a cute, cupcake-sized package. Perfect for family gatherings, bake sales, or just because it’s a chilly afternoon and you deserve a treat.

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Caramel Apple Cupcakes

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Author: Amanda Thompson
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 14-16 cupcakes 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Soft and spiced apple cupcakes loaded with juicy apple bits, topped with a luscious caramel buttercream frosting, and finished with a caramel drizzle. These Caramel Apple Cupcakes are the ultimate fall dessert, capturing all the cozy flavors of autumn in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cupcakes:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp salt
¼ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar
¾ tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp sour cream
2 large eggs
¾ cup milk
1 cup finely chopped apple

For the Caramel Buttercream Frosting:

1 ¼ cups unsalted butter, room temperature
5 cups powdered sugar
4–6 tbsp caramel sauce
Pinch of cinnamon
Extra caramel sauce (for drizzling)
Fresh apple slices (for decorating)

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Instructions

Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cupcake pan with 14-16 liners.
Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Cream Butter & Sugars: Beat butter, oil, white sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla and sour cream; mix well.
Add Eggs: Beat in eggs one at a time.
Combine & Fold: Mix in half of dry ingredients, then milk, and then the remaining dry ingredients until smooth. Fold in chopped apples.
Bake: Fill liners ¾ full. Bake for 15-18 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
Make Frosting: Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add half of powdered sugar. Add caramel sauce and cinnamon. Add remaining powdered sugar and more caramel sauce as needed for consistency.
Frost & Decorate: Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes. Drizzle with caramel sauce and top with fresh apple slices.

Notes

Finely chop apples to avoid heavy chunks in batter.

Use high-quality caramel sauce for the frosting.

Avoid overbaking; test with a toothpick for doneness.

Decorate with apple slices and a fun caramel drizzle for a rustic fall look.

Unfrosted cupcakes can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Category: Desserts
Method: Baking (Cupcakes)
Cuisine: American

Caramel Apple Cupcakes: The Perfect Fall Dessert You’ll Crave All Year