Fall Baking • Dessert • Gatherings
Apple Pie Cupcakes
Cinnamon cupcakes filled with sweet apple pie filling and topped with cinnamon cream cheese frosting - a simple little twist on classic apple pie.
Prep: 20 Minutes · Bake: 18–22 Minutes · Total: About 1 Hour · Makes: 18–20 Cupcakes
From My Kitchen
Apple pie and cupcakes seem like two desserts that were meant to find each other. These have all the familiar flavors of apple pie—apples, cinnamon and a touch of caramel—but they're easy to make and even easier to serve. They're perfect for fall gatherings, football parties, school events, Thanksgiving or anytime you're craving something that tastes like fall.
Instructions
1. Bake the Cupcakes
Preheat oven to 350°F or according to cake-mix directions. Line muffin tins with cupcake liners. Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Stir in cinnamon and apple pie spice. Fill liners approximately ⅔ full and bake for 18–22 minutes, or according to package directions. Cool completely.
2. Prepare the Apple Filling
Roughly chop the apples in the pie filling into smaller pieces. Reserve a small amount for topping if desired.
3. Fill the Cupcakes
Remove a small section from the center of each cooled cupcake. Fill with approximately 1–2 teaspoons apple pie filling.
4. Make the Frosting
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy. Add vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Gradually add powdered sugar until the frosting reaches a smooth, pipeable consistency.
5. Decorate
Pipe or spread frosting over each cupcake. Top with a small spoonful of apple filling and an optional drizzle of caramel sauce. Finish with a light sprinkle of cinnamon.
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- Eggs, oil and water called for on cake mix box
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon apple pie spice
- 1 can (20–21 oz.) apple pie filling
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 3½–4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Optional Toppings
- Additional chopped apple pie filling
- Caramel sauce
- Cinnamon or cinnamon sugar
Shannon's Kitchen Tip
Don't overfill the cupcakes. About 1–2 teaspoons of apple filling gives you plenty of apple-pie flavor without making the cupcakes difficult to eat.
Perfect For Fall
Football Parties • Fall Gatherings • Halloween • Thanksgiving • School Events
Make It Easier
For an even quicker version, use prepared cream cheese frosting and stir in a little cinnamon before frosting the cupcakes.
