Description
Warm, soft caramel apple cupcakes topped with smooth caramel buttercream, perfect for any crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup peeled and chopped apples (Granny Smith recommended)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)
- 1–2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C) and line a cupcake pan with liners.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
- Beat butter, oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add vanilla extract and sour cream; mix until combined.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down sides as needed.
- Mix in half of the dry ingredients until combined.
- Slowly add milk and mix until combined; the batter may look curdled, which is normal.
- Add remaining dry ingredients and mix just until smooth. Do not overmix.
- Fold in chopped apples gently.
- Fill cupcake liners about 3/4 full and bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool cupcakes on a wire rack completely before frosting.
- Beat butter for the caramel buttercream until smooth.
- Add half of the powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
- Incorporate caramel sauce and mix well.
- Add remaining powdered sugar and mix until smooth, adding milk or cream as needed to reach desired consistency.
- Pipe or spread frosting onto cooled cupcakes.
- Drizzle additional caramel sauce on top and garnish with apple slices if desired.
Notes
Use firm apples like Granny Smith for the best texture. Let cupcakes sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving for the frosting to soften.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg