Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting: 5 Tips

A Taste of Cozy Comfort

Imagine a crisp autumn afternoon, the scent of cinnamon and baking apples wafting through your home. This feeling of warmth and nostalgia is exactly what you get with these Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes. They are a delightful way to bring the comfort of the season into your kitchen and share it with loved ones. Each bite is a little piece of homemade joy, perfect for creating new cherished memories.

Why Make This Recipe

These Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting are truly special. You will love them because of their irresistible flavor combination. The sweet apples, warm cinnamon, and tangy cream cheese work together perfectly. This recipe is also easy to follow, even for beginners. You can make it for gatherings, holidays, or just a simple dessert. These cupcakes are a seasonal delight, bringing the taste of autumn to every bite. Plus, you get the satisfaction of making something delicious from scratch.

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Making these cupcakes involves two main parts: baking the apple cinnamon cupcakes and then preparing the creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting. Each step is straightforward and easy to follow, ensuring a delicious outcome every time.

Ingredients of : Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

• For the Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes:
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh apples, peeled, cored, and finely diced (e.g., Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp)

• For the Tangy Cream Cheese Frosting:
• 8 ounces cream cheese, full-fat, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅛ teaspoon salt

Directions of : Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Prepare the Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes:
2. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt.
4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted and cooled butter, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Gently fold in the finely diced apples.
7. Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
8. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
9. Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the muffin tin for 5 minutes. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

1. Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting:
2. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
3. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until smooth after each addition.
4. Mix in the vanilla extract and salt until well combined and smooth.

1. Assemble and Decorate:
2. Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them generously with the cream cheese frosting.
3. Optionally, garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, a few small apple chips, or a tiny sprig of mint.

How to Serve Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Serve these delightful cupcakes at room temperature for the best flavor and texture. They pair wonderfully with a warm cup of coffee, a soothing tea, or a refreshing glass of milk. For an extra touch of elegance, drizzle a little caramel sauce over the frosting or sprinkle them with toasted pecans.

How to Store Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Because of the cream cheese frosting, you must store these cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for 3-4 days. For the best taste, let them sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving.

Tips to Make Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

• Apple Choice Matters: Use firm apples like Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp. These apples hold their shape well when baked and give great flavor.
• Don’t Overmix: Mix the cupcake batter until just combined. Overmixing developes gluten too much and makes cupcakes tough.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Use softened cream cheese and butter for the frosting. This ensures a smooth, lump-free frosting.
• Cool Cupcakes Completely: Always wait until the cupcakes are completely cool before frosting. Warm cupcakes will melt the frosting.
• Measure Accurately: Use proper measuring cups and spoons. This helps make sure your recipe comes out perfectly every time.
• Quality Ingredients: Use fresh apples and good quality butter and cream cheese. Better ingredients mean better tasting cupcakes.
• Patience is Key: Do not rush the cooling or frosting steps. Good baking takes time.

Variation

You can easily adjust these cupcakes to your liking. Add a pinch of ground ginger or allspice to the cupcake batter for an extra layer of warmth. For a gluten-free option, replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. You can also make mini cupcakes by simply reducing the baking time to about 10-15 minutes.

FAQs

Q1: Can I make these Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes ahead of time?
Yes, you can! You can store the unfrosted cupcakes at room temperature for up to 2 days, or freeze them for up to a month. Keep the cream cheese frosting separate in the refrigerator. Frost the cupcakes just before serving.

Q2: My cream cheese frosting is too thin/thick. How can I fix it?
If your frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until it thickens. If it is too thick, add a tiny bit of milk or cream, a teaspoon at a time, until it becomes smooth and spreadable.

Q3: How many Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes does this recipe yield?
This recipe typically makes 12 standard-sized Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes. You can easily double the recipe if you need more.

Classic Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

These delightful Classic Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes are bursting with warm spices and tender apple pieces, perfectly complemented by a rich and tangy cream cheese frosting. An ideal treat for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Servings 12 cupcakes

Calories 380 kcal

Equipment

• Oven
• 12-cup Muffin Tin
• Paper Liners
• Large Bowl
• Medium Bowl
• Electric Mixer
• Wire Rack

Ingredients

  

For the Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar packed
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh apples peeled, cored, and finely diced (e.g., Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp)

For the Tangy Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 ounces cream cheese full-fat, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅛ teaspoon salt

Instructions

 

Prepare the Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt.
• In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted and cooled butter, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined; do not overmix.
• Gently fold in the finely diced apples.
• Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
• Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
• Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the muffin tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
• Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until smooth after each addition.
• Mix in the vanilla extract and salt until well combined and smooth.

Assemble and Decorate:

• Once the cupcakes are completely cool, frost them generously with the cream cheese frosting.
• Optionally, garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, a few small apple chips, or a tiny sprig of mint.

Notes

Do not overmix the cupcake batter to ensure tender cupcakes. Ensure cupcakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting. Adjust powdered sugar in frosting to desired sweetness and consistency.