If you’re a fan of both classic apple pie and charming cupcakes, you’re in for a real treat—these Apple Pie Cupcakes: A Bite-Sized Delight bring the best of both worlds together! Imagine soft vanilla cake filled with gooey spiced apples and topped with a rich, caramel-kissed frosting. Each bite is a sweet, spiced hug, making these cupcakes perfect for cozy gatherings, fall celebrations, or simply satisfying that apple pie craving without making a whole pie.

Apple Pie Cupcakes: A Bite-Sized Delight Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses humble, easy-to-find ingredients that work wonders together. Each one plays an important role in capturing the taste, texture, and warm colors we all associate with comforting apple desserts.

Vanilla Cake Mix: The ultimate shortcut! It provides a tender, moist cupcake base and lets the apple flavors shine.
Eggs, Oil, Water (as cake mix calls for): Follow your cake mix instructions for the perfect cupcake crumb.
Apple Pie Filling: Chopped apples bring juicy, cinnamon-swirled sweetness to the center of every cupcake.
Cinnamon: Adds cozy warmth and enhances the apples’ natural flavor.
Nutmeg: Just a pinch brings depth and that “fresh-baked pie” aroma.
Unsalted Butter: The foundation for a luscious, rich frosting.
Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes that make the frosting unforgettable.
Heavy Cream: Gives the frosting a silky, luxurious texture.
Vanilla Extract: Balances sweetness and ties everything together.
Powdered Sugar: Thickens the frosting and gives it that dreamy, pipeable consistency.
Garnish Options – Crushed Graham Crackers or Caramel Drizzle: For a final touch of crunch and decadence, if you want to get fancy!

How to Make Apple Pie Cupcakes: A Bite-Sized Delight

Step 1: Prep Your Cupcake Tin

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a 12-cup muffin tin with your favorite cupcake liners. This small step makes cleanup a breeze and ensures your Apple Pie Cupcakes: A Bite-Sized Delight pop out perfectly every time.

Step 2: Make the Cupcake Batter

Prepare the vanilla cake mix just as the box instructs, using the required eggs, oil, and water. Mix until smooth—feel free to hum your favorite tune, it always makes baked goods tastier! Divide the batter among the liners, filling each about two-thirds full so they rise beautifully but don’t overflow.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Slide your pan into the oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes. The kitchen will start smelling like pure magic. When a toothpick comes out clean from the center, your cupcakes are ready! Set them aside to cool completely on a wire rack. This patience pays off when it’s time to fill and frost.

Step 4: Prepare the Apple Pie Filling

While your cupcakes cool, chop the apple pie filling into bite-sized pieces, then stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg for that extra burst of spiced goodness. This filling is the heart and soul of each Apple Pie Cupcakes: A Bite-Sized Delight, bringing all the nostalgia of homemade pie—without rolling out any dough.

Step 5: Fill the Cupcakes

Once the cupcakes are cool, carefully use a small paring knife or a cupcake corer to remove a tiny center from each cupcake (save those bits for a baker’s snack!). Spoon in the spiced apple filling, packing in as much as you can for maximum deliciousness.

Step 6: Make the Caramel Frosting

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and heavy cream, whisking constantly until the sugar has fully dissolved and the mixture is glossy and smooth. Take the pot off the heat, add vanilla extract, and let it cool for a few minutes—just enough so you don’t melt the powdered sugar. Whisk in the powdered sugar until your frosting is thick, smooth, and irresistible!

Step 7: Frost and Garnish

Spread or pipe the caramel-like frosting generously over each filled cupcake. For a festive finish, sprinkle crushed graham crackers or drizzle caramel sauce on top—you do you! This final touch makes your Apple Pie Cupcakes: A Bite-Sized Delight picture-perfect and party-ready.

How to Serve Apple Pie Cupcakes: A Bite-Sized Delight

Garnishes

Dress up each cupcake with a flourish! Classic choices include a sprinkle of crushed graham crackers for a hint of crunch or a golden swirl of caramel drizzle for a touch of indulgence. If you’re feeling playful, add a tiny apple slice or a dash of cinnamon on top—the little flourishes bring out the festive spirit.

Side Dishes

Serve your Apple Pie Cupcakes: A Bite-Sized Delight alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. For a cozy dessert spread, pair them with hot apple cider or a spiced chai tea—an autumn hug in a mug to go with your cupcakes.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, arrange cupcakes on a rustic wooden board with mini dessert forks or colorful napkins. You can even stack them on a tiered stand, alternating with cinnamon sticks and apples for a harvest-inspired centerpiece. If you’re gifting, pop each cupcake into a cupcake box tied with ribbon—adorable and heartfelt!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover Apple Pie Cupcakes: A Bite-Sized Delight in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If your kitchen is particularly warm, store them in the fridge for up to 3 days to maintain the frosting’s texture and keep the filling fresh.

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze unfrosted cupcakes and leftover apple filling separately. Wrap each cupcake tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag or container—they’ll stay fresh for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature, fill, frost, and garnish just before serving for best results.

Reheating

To serve slightly warm, remove the cupcakes from the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or pop them in the microwave for just 10 seconds. If you’ve frozen the cupcakes, allow them to thaw completely before reheating gently. The apple filling becomes extra cozy when warm!

FAQs

Can I use homemade apple pie filling instead of store-bought?

Absolutely! If you have homemade apple pie filling on hand, feel free to use it for your Apple Pie Cupcakes: A Bite-Sized Delight. Just be sure to chop the apples small and adjust the spices if needed for the perfect flavor balance.

Can I make these cupcakes gluten free?

Yes, simply swap in your favorite gluten free vanilla cake mix and double-check that your canned apple pie filling is gluten free as well. All other ingredients are naturally gluten free, making this a treat everyone can enjoy.

What can I use if I don’t have a cupcake corer?

No worries—a small paring knife or the tip of a piping nozzle works wonderfully for creating the perfect space for filling. Just gently twist and scoop; it doesn’t need to be fancy!

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Definitely! The recipe easily doubles or even triples. Just be sure to bake in batches if needed and allow plenty of time for filling and frosting. These Apple Pie Cupcakes: A Bite-Sized Delight are a guaranteed hit at any gathering.

How do I keep the frosting from getting too runny?

If your frosting seems thin, add a little extra powdered sugar, a spoonful at a time, whisking until thick. Letting the caramel mixture cool for several minutes before adding the sugar also helps create a silky, spreadable consistency.

Final Thoughts

These Apple Pie Cupcakes: A Bite-Sized Delight are pure joy in cupcake form—easy to make, impossible to resist, and guaranteed to disappear fast! I hope you’ll give this recipe a try, share them with friends and family, and savor every cozy, cinnamon-spiced bite.

Apple Pie Cupcakes: A Bite-Sized Delight Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 5 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the sweet and comforting flavors of fall with these delightful Apple Pie Cupcakes. A vanilla cake base filled with spiced apple pie filling and topped with a decadent caramel frosting, these bite-sized treats are perfect for any autumn gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Cupcakes:

1 box vanilla cake mix (plus ingredients listed on box – typically eggs, oil, and water)

Apple Pie Filling:

2 cups apple pie filling (chopped into small pieces)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Frosting:

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
optional garnish: crushed graham crackers or caramel drizzle

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
Prepare the cupcakes: Prepare the cake mix according to the package instructions. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake for 18–22 minutes.
Prepare the filling: Chop apple pie filling, add spices, and fill the cooled cupcakes.
Make the frosting: Melt butter, add sugar and cream, then whisk in vanilla and powdered sugar until smooth. Frost the cupcakes and garnish if desired.