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Caramel Apple Cupcakes Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 280 reviews

Deliciously moist caramel apple cupcakes featuring tender apple pieces and a smooth caramel buttercream frosting, perfect for fall or any indulgent treat. These cupcakes combine warm spices and rich caramel flavor for a delightful dessert experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Cupcake Batter

  • 1 1/2 cups (195g) all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup (56g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup (52g) sugar
  • 1/2 cup (112g) packed brown sugar
  • 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 tbsp (43g) sour cream
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup (180ml) milk
  • 1 cup finely chopped apple

Caramel Buttercream Frosting

  • 1 1/4 cups (280g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 5 cups (575g) powdered sugar
  • 4–6 tbsp caramel sauce
  • Pinch of ground cinnamon
  • Additional caramel sauce, for drizzling
  • Apple slices, for decorating

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C) and line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners to ensure easy removal and cleanup.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the all purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter, vegetable oil, sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is light in color and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This creaming step is important to create a light texture.
  4. Add Vanilla and Sour Cream: Mix in the vanilla extract and sour cream until fully incorporated, enhancing the moisture and flavor of the batter.
  5. Add Eggs: Add eggs one at a time, mixing until mostly combined after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
  6. Combine Dry Ingredients (Half): Add half of the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined to begin building the structure of the cupcakes.
  7. Add Milk: Slowly add the milk to the batter and mix well. The batter may look slightly curdled at this point, which is normal.
  8. Combine Dry Ingredients (Remaining): Add the remaining dry ingredient mixture and mix just until smooth. Avoid overmixing to prevent a dense cupcake.
  9. Fold in Apples: Gently fold the finely chopped apples into the batter to distribute evenly without crushing them.
  10. Fill and Bake: Fill cupcake liners about 3/4 full with the batter. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  11. Cool Cupcakes: Remove cupcakes from the oven and place on a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
  12. Make Caramel Buttercream: Beat the unsalted butter in a large bowl until smooth. Gradually add half of the powdered sugar and beat until combined and smooth.
  13. Add Caramel Sauce: Mix in about 4 tablespoons of caramel sauce and a pinch of cinnamon into the frosting until well combined.
  14. Add Remaining Sugar: Add the remaining powdered sugar and beat until smooth, adjusting consistency and sweetness with additional caramel sauce as needed.
  15. Frost Cupcakes: Pipe the caramel buttercream evenly onto the cooled cupcakes.
  16. Decorate: Drizzle additional caramel sauce on top and garnish with apple slices for an attractive finish.
  17. Storage: Store cupcakes well covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. For best flavor and texture, serve them at room temperature.

Notes

  • Ensure the butter is at room temperature for proper creaming.
  • Do not overmix the batter to maintain a light and fluffy texture.
  • You can use any crisp apple variety like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best results.
  • The frosting consistency can be adjusted with more caramel sauce or powdered sugar if needed.
  • Store cupcakes in an airtight container to keep them fresh.

Keywords: caramel apple cupcakes, apple cupcakes, caramel buttercream, fall desserts, spiced cupcakes, easy cupcake recipe

Find it online: https://zestywithzane.com/caramel-apple-cupcakes-recipe/