How to Make the Best Apple Pie Cupcakes
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Apple season is in full effect, and what better way to enjoy the fresh fruit of the moment than by baking? If you are like me and love the classic American apple pie but find the task of making the perfect pie crust tedious, then or Easy Apple Pie Cupcakes may just be your solution!
This recipe is easy and will take no time at all to whip up. Plus, there are so many ways you can dress them up with different toppings that everyone will be sure to find their favorite flavor.
How to Make the Best Apple Pie Cupcakes
The apples for this recipe should be tart and crisp. I recommend Granny Smith or Jonathan Apples, but feel free to use whichever you like best!
Pick your own apples!
Picking apples with your kids gives them the opportunity to see firsthand where their food comes from. They get a sense of excitement and accomplishment when they find a perfect, ripe apple on our walk through the orchard.
I learned the 3 simple steps to plucking an apple off a tree from an old farmer:
- Gently lift the apple up to you -so it is horizontal from the branch
- Twist it three times on the stem
- Give it a gentle tug
It should come off in your hand and you never damage either the apple or the tree.
Most apple orchards also have fun things like pumpkin spice or apple cider donuts – make sure you take the time to indulge in their wares.
Apple Pie Cupcakes with apple pie filling
Just like any of our cupcake recipes, you can make the cupcake bases in advance. I actually have some chocolate cupcakes in my freezer right now for Labor Day. Generally, the rule of thumb is that if you plan to frost and enjoy them within a couple of days you should be storing your cupcakes at room temperature.
If you do not plan to frost or enjoy them within a couple of days then it’s best to freeze them. You can learn more about Batch Baking During the Winter Months in my other post if you want to, but batch baking and freezing are some of my trade secrets. Rarely would I pop them in the fridge – the constantly circulating air dries them out too much.
This should go without being said – do NOT cut them open and stuff with apple pie filling before freezing them. Just the plain cupcake bases.
How do you store Best Apple Pie Cupcakes?
Here is the thing – with the more futzy designs, I like to make them in advance of an event or get-together. The best way to usually store your finished creations? Room Temperature.
Between the buttercream frosting and apple pie filling, they should be fine for five to six days. They will tend to get soggier as time goes by. You can learn more about that in our article How To Frost A Cupcake.
Easy Apple Pie Filled Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting
You can use a boxed yellow cake mix to whip up your cupcake bases or use our recipe to make them from scratch. Best Yellow Cupcake Recipe from Scratch
Apple Pie Cupcakes Ingredients:
After you have the cupcake bases taken care of, you need to make the filling and also the frosting before you assemble them.
Apple Pie Cupcakes Filling Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 medium green apples, peeled and diced small
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
Apple Pie Cupcake Frosting Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
How to Make Apple Pie Cupcakes
Bake cupcakes per recipe, let them cool completely.
Spoon out an opening in the center of each cupcake.
Make your apple pie cupcake filling:
In a skillet over medium heat cook butter, apples, and brown sugar for 10-12 minutes.
Mix cornstarch and water until fully combined and then stir it into the apple mixture.
Boil until thick, remove from heat and allow to cool fully.
Spoon filling into the middle of each cupcake.
Apple Pie Cupcakes Frosting
Mix butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, and cinnamon until light and fluffy.
Place it in your piping bag with a star tip and frost each cupcake.
I like to garnish them with a little fresh sliced apple – just to give them a little pop of color and crunch.
Apple Pie Cupcakes yellow cake mix
Other apple recipes you may find yummy:
- Apple Pie Rolls That are Totally Brunch Worthy
- Cute Apple Spice Leaf Cookies
- Apple Fritter Pull-Apart Bread
- Apple Pie Jelly
- Mostly Apple Cake Recipe
- Rustic Apple Pie Recipe
- Apple Pepper Jelly Made in the Instant Pot
- Apple Cider Snickerdoodle Cookies
- Apple Funnel Cake Rings w/Homemade Caramel Sauce Recipe
- Beyond Easy Instant Pot Apple Butter
