Caramel Apple Pie Cupcakes

Discover the delightful fusion of caramel and apple pie in a portable cupcake form with our Caramel Apple Pie Cupcakes. These delicious treats combine spiced apples and rich caramel sauce in a fluffy cupcake base, perfect for any fall celebration or cozy gathering. With a creamy buttercream frosting and gorgeous presentation, they’re sure to impress! Dive into this recipe and enjoy the warm, comforting flavors reminiscent of homemade apple pie.

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Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

½ cup brown sugar, packed

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ cup milk

1 ¼ cups peeled and diced apples (about 2 small apples)

For the Caramel Sauce:

1 cup granulated sugar

6 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces

½ cup heavy cream

½ tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Buttercream Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

4 cups powdered sugar

⅓ cup caramel sauce (plus more for drizzling)

1 tsp vanilla extract

2-3 tbsp milk (if necessary)

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.

Make the Cupcake Batter:

- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

- In another bowl, cream the butter until smooth. Add in the eggs, vanilla extract, and milk; mix until well combined.

- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Gently fold in the diced apples.

Bake the Cupcakes:

- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.

- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.

Prepare the Caramel Sauce:

- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the granulated sugar, stirring constantly until it becomes a rich amber color (about 8-10 minutes).

- Once melted, carefully add the butter and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat and slowly whisk in the heavy cream until combined. Stir in the salt and vanilla extract. Set aside to cool.

Make the Buttercream Frosting:

- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until fluffy.

- Mix in the caramel sauce and vanilla extract. If the frosting is too thick, add a little milk until the desired consistency is reached.

Assemble the Cupcakes:

- Once the cupcakes are fully cooled, use a small knife or cupcake corer to remove the center of each cupcake, making a well for the caramel.

- Spoon a teaspoon of the caramel sauce into each well. Top with a generous swirl of buttercream frosting.

Decorate and Serve:

- Drizzle additional caramel sauce over the frosting for extra sweetness and beautiful presentation. You can also sprinkle a little bit of cinnamon on top, if desired.

Enjoy your indulgent Caramel Apple Pie Cupcakes, a delightful treat that captures the essence of a classic apple pie in every bite!

Prep Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Servings: 12 cupcakes