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