Soft Apple Cupcakes topped with Cinnamon Buttercream frosting make the perfect fall dessert!

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Cook time: 17 minutes
  • Total time: 32 minutes
  • Yield: 12 cupcakes
  • Category: Dessert, Sweet
  • Cuisine: World

Ingredients

Apple Cupcakes

  • 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (at room temperature)
  • 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1.5 cups very finely chopped apple [from 1 apple]

Cinnamon Buttercream

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature [1 stick])
  • 1.5-2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon powder

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Line a 12 count muffin tray with cupcake liners or spray with a non-stick spray and set aside.
  2. In a bowl mix together flour, cinnamon powder, nutmeg powder, salt and baking powder. Set aside.

Cupcakes

  1. Using the paddle attachment of your stand mixer or using your hand mixer, cream together butter with both the sugars till smooth and creamy.
  2. Add in the vanilla extract and eggs and beat till well combined.
  3. Now add the flour mix in parts alternating with buttermilk. Add the flour in 3 parts and buttermilk in 2 parts, starting and ending with flour.
  4. Mix till everything is combined but remember to not over-mix. Fold in the finely chopped or grated apples.
  5. Transfer batter to the prepared muffin tray. I fill each liner 2/3 rd full.
  6. Bake the cupcakes at 350 F degrees for 17-20 minutes or till toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Mine were done in 17 minutes.
  7. Transfer the cupcakes onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Cinnamon Buttercream

  1. While the cupcakes cool down make the cinnamon buttercream frosting. Using the paddle attachment of your stand mixer or using your hand mixer, beat butter till smooth and creamy.
  2. Start adding powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  3. Add vanilla extract, cinnamon powder and heavy cream and mix to combine.
  4. Beat everything together till frosting is completely smooth and creamy.
  5. Pipe the cooled cupcakes with the prepared frosting and enjoy!

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.