Apple Pie Cupcakes to Enjoy All Season Long
These apple pie cupcakes are simple, cozy, and full of fall flavor. Soft cupcakes with a sweet apple center and creamy frosting make them perfect for any day you want a little homemade comfort.
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Calories: 290kcal
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- ⅓ cup neutral oil like canola or sunflower
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Apple Pie Filling
- 2 medium apples diced
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Mascarpone Frosting
- 7 oz cold mascarpone cheese
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ¾ cup cold heavy cream
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line the cupcake pan with paper liners for a mess-free bake.
- In a big bowl, whisk together oil, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until smooth and glossy. Fold in the applesauce, it adds moisture and subtle apple flavor.
- In another bowl, mix flour, cornstarch (for soft crumb), baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ginger well.
- Pour the dry ingredients and buttermilk into the wet mix gradually, folding them in just until blended, overworking will flatten the batter.
- Fill liners about ¾ full and bake for 18 minutes. Use a toothpick to check, clean or a few crumbs mean they’re done.
- Cool cupcakes in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool fully before frosting.
- For the filling, toss apples with cinnamon and lemon juice. Cook in butter, brown sugar, and vanilla on low until soft and caramelized (around 7 minutes). Let cool.
- Chill the bowl, then whip together mascarpone, powdered sugar, and cold cream until soft, creamy peaks form.
- Frost the cooled cupcakes, leaving a little well in the center. Add the apple filling in for the perfect finishing touch on each bite.
Notes
- For extra cozy flavor, add a pinch of cloves or allspice to the dry mix, just a little goes a long way!
- Don’t rush cooling, frosting warm cupcakes can get messy fast!
- Leftover apple filling? Stir it into oatmeal or yogurt for a tasty snack!
- Scoop the batter evenly with an ice cream scooper to fill every cupcake just right.