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.
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.