Spiced cupcakes are filled with fresh apples and then topped with caramel sauce and a thick caramel icing in these Caramel Apple Cupcakes that are perfect for fall.
I really think that fall desserts are my favorite, these Caramel Apple Cupcakes included! If you love the caramel apple combination, also try this Caramel Apple Crisp or these Apple Pancakes with Caramel Apple Syrup.
I love making cupcakes. I would seriously make a new one every week if I could get away with it. And while I do enjoy eating them, I really have fun creating them. And these Caramel Apple Cupcakes were no exception. I actually ran across a caramel apple cupcake recipe in a cookbook, but the recipe started with a cake mix and the topping was simply caramel sauce drizzled on the top. And while I’m sure those cupcakes were just fine, and maybe even delicious, I knew I wanted something more.
So I went to town. I had my family to test these on, and from what I could tell, everyone loved them. I know I did. I sampled way too many of them, so I had to leave them all behind at my sister’s house so that I would stay away from them.
These caramel apple cupcakes scream fall, and I’m excited to be welcoming in fall baking. There’s nothing better than a house that smells like sweet spices while you are baking!
The Best Caramel Apple Cupcakes
For the Caramel Apple Cupcakes, you start with a simple spiced cupcake, and then load in the fresh apples. I used granny smith apples so that the tart apple flavor would shine through. The cupcakes are baked and then cooled.
The Caramel Topping
I knew I wanted to add the caramel icing, but I wanted to add another layer of caramel as well. I had seen people do caramel candy melted with cream or evaporated milk, but I know that you have to get the temperature just right, otherwise it will totally harden so that you can’t even bite into it. My solution? The caramel dip that you can find in the produce section of the grocery store. It’s thick enough to stay in place on top of the cupcake, but stays soft and delicious.
The Caramel Icing
The caramel icing isn’t your typical cupcake icing. It’s much thicker, not like most light and fluffy frostings. But I love this stuff. It does harden if you don’t work fast enough, so be prepared to make the icing and pipe it on right away.
If you are looking for something more traditional, you can top these with a regular buttercream, or this Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting would be amazing.
More Cupcake Recipes
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Cookies and Cream Cupcakes
Circus Animal Cupcakes
Banana Split Cupcakes
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Caramel Apple Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
- 1/2 cup butter at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 cups chopped tart apples
Topping
- 1/2 cup caramel apple dip (found in the produce section)
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350. Line 24 muffin tins with paper liners.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the butter until smooth. Add in the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add the egg and mix. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and cloves.
- Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix until combined. Add half of the milk, mix, then 1/2 of the remaining flour, the remaining milk and then the remaining flour, beating in-between additions. Stir in the chopped apples.
- Divide the mixture between the prepared cups, filling each about 2/3 full. Bake until the center springs back when touched, about 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
- Spread about 1 teaspoon of the caramel topping on top of each cupcake.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and cook until dissolved, a few minutes. Stir in the cream. Remove from the heat and add in half of the powdered sugar. Beat until combined, then add the remaining powdered sugar. Add the vanilla then beat until smooth and shiny. Transfer to a piping bag and pipe the frosting on top of the caramel sauce.
Emily says
YES! These sound so good!
Monet says
Oh my Deborah! This looks like a cupcake to celebrate fall! Love the thought of that caramel layer!
Janell says
These were super yum! And maybe even better the next day (or maybe I was just too full from dinner the day before!)
Deborah says
Ugh – now I wish I would have taken one home! 😉
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Caramel and Apples are an incredible flavour combination.. these look so delicious!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Gorgeous cupcakes, love the caramel topping!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
Perfect fall cupcakes! Love the caramel icing!
Maggie Unzueta @ Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
Love fall desserts. These cupcakes look amazing!
Joanna says
These will have to be next on my list of caramel apple goodness. I just posted the caramel apple scones that I made last week! I love fall flavors and this one reminds me so much of the county fair!
http://everydaymadefresh.com
Angelyn @ Everyday Desserts says
these look amazing!! I adore fall-ish recipes like these cupcakes!
Serene @ House of Yumm says
These look absolutely amazing. I’ve been wanting everything caramel apple lately, and I think these just might finally satisfy that!! They’re so simple and gorgeous looking, I love everything about them 🙂
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
These are adorable! So perfect for fall! I have’t started my pumpkin or apple baking yet, but soon enough. And this is on my list!!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
Perfect fall cupcakes! Love the double topping!
PassTheKnife says
These look amazing, one of my favorite things about fall is caramel apples, I can’t get enough!!
Cookin Canuck says
I’m having a hard time holding off on fall recipes. I can’t wait for soups and stews! And then I’d have to finish off the soup meal with one of these cupcakes. Gorgeous!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
love the caramel apple dip and the caramel icing!! great idea for these cupcakes! love Fall baking!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
I 100% agree! These cupcakes totally scream Fall. They look amazing 🙂