Apple Spice Cupcakes

Apple spice cupcakes are one of the most delicious apple recipes. Enjoy the fall season to it's full potential with this unique and tasty cupcake recipe!

Apple Spice Cupcakes Recipe

Everyone loves fresh apple pie, but what about stuffing a light and fluffy cupcake with a tasty spiced apple flavor. It's a perfect fall dessert that everyone should try!

This delicious apple dessert idea has become a family favorite in no time. And it's no wonder why — who wouldn't love moist cupcakes with tart apples? A sweet combination that brings loads of flavor.

Fall is always the best time to bake. The apples are in season, pumpkin is in season, and the colder weather begs for warm desserts that are cozy and comforting.

So if you're a fan of pumpkin desserts, like these pumpkin cupcakes, then give these spiced apple cupcakes a whirl and see how you like them. They'll be a big hit with you, your family and your friends!

Why You'll Love this Recipe

• Make these apple cinnamon cupcakes as an easily shareable treat for parties. No slicing a cake required!
• These apple spice cupcakes are a bakery-quality dessert, but a fraction of the cost. Save some money and make moist cupcakes topped with cinnamon buttercream in your own kitchen.
• This recipe is a great way to use some fresh apples during apple season. So take that trip to the farmer's market or apple orchard, you can make tons of treats with your apple haul!

Ingredients

Make the best apple cupcakes with very simple ingredients. Here is everything you will need for this easy recipe:

Cupcakes

• all purpose flour
• brown sugar
• apple pie spice
• baking powder
• salt
• eggs
• milk
• apple cider or apple juice

Frosting

• grated apples
• butter, softened
• powdered sugar
• milk
• cinnamon

Substitutions and Variations

You can use a 1:1 gluten free flour substitute, such as King Arthur Measure for Measure Flour, to make this recipe without gluten.

Reduce the amount of refined sugar in this recipe by swapping out the brown sugar for coconut sugar!

The cinnamon buttercream frosting in this recipe is absolutely incredible. However, feel free to change it up and make my maple cream cheese frosting to use on top of the cupcakes instead.

Apple cider will probably give a more rich and spiced flavor, whereas apple juice will add a little more tartness to these cupcakes. Either will work great, so choose whichever you prefer. These cupcakes would be a great way to use leftover spiced apple cider!

I recommend using softened unsalted butter in this recipe instead of salted butter. You can make the cupcakes dairy free by using a dairy-free milk. However, the frosting will likely not do well with margarine or vegan butter.

Don't have apple pie spice? You can substitute pumpkin pie spice, or make your own apple pie spice pretty easily!

You can leave out the grated apples if you don’t prefer the texture of them, but add an additional 1⁄2 teaspoon of apple pie spice to get enough of the apple flavor.

How to Make Apple Spice Cupcakes

Begin by preheating the oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Then line a muffin tin with cupcake liners and set it to the side.

One thing you need to know: Cupcakes do best when the cupcake tin is lined with paper liners. However, if you do not have any liners then you can grease the muffin pan really well and the cupcakes will slide out beautifully!

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together all purpose flour, brown sugar, apple pie spice, baking powder and salt until well combined.

Then grab a separate bowl and whisk together eggs, apple cider, and milk.

Slowly pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and fold together until just incorporated. Then, fold in the grated apples.

Fill each of the lined muffin cups 3⁄4 of the way full with cupcake batter.

Bake in a preheated over for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick can be inserted into the center of the cupcakes and come out clean.

Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

While the cupcakes cool, make the cinnamon frosting!

In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, powdered sugar, milk and cinnamon until smooth and creamy. If needed, add additional powdered sugar to reach desired consistency.

Once the cupcakes are cooled to room temperature, they are ready to be frosted.

Scoop frosting into a piping bag with a simple piping tip. Alternatively, you can use a zip top plastic bag and snip a corner off. If you do not have either of those things, simply use a knife to spread frosting onto the top of the cupcakes.

Once frosted, serve and enjoy!

How to Store Leftover Cupcakes

Place cupcakes into an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 4 days. Alternatively, you can freeze apple spice cupcakes for up to 3 months. Buttercream frosting will also store well in an airtight container, in the fridge, for up to a week. Allow it to come to room temperature before using.

Tips for Success

• For a pretty presentation, add a garnish on top of the frosting. An apple slice, some cinnamon, sanding sugar, and even caramel drizzle would be a nice addition.
• Use any type of apple you want. For sweeter cupcakes, use something like honeycrisp apples. If you'd like a slightly tart flavor, then use something like granny smith apples.
• Don't have time to make a frosting? Top each cupcake with a crumble topping or streusel topping. They may be more like cinnamon apple muffins after that, but it will still be so yummy!

FAQ

More Apple Recipes

• Apple Zucchini Bread
• Cinnamon Apple Muffins
• Apple Crisp with Oat Topping
• Cast Iron Apple Spice Skillet Cake

If you make and love this recipe, please leave a ★★★★★ review below! It means so much to me when you try my recipes, and I'd love to know how it goes. Please leave a comment below if you have any questions.