There’s something magical about the combination of apples and caramel that just screams autumn, isn’t there? If you’re in the mood to indulge in a treat that perfectly captures the essence of fall, these Apple Spice Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting are your new go-to recipe. Not only are they delicious, but they’re also pretty easy to whip up!

How to Make Apple Spice Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting

Ingredients you’ll need for the cupcakes

1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
½ cup unsalted butter
⅔ cup + 2 tbsp light brown sugar
2 eggs
¼ cup milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large honeycrisp apple (or two smaller ones), diced into 1¾ cups

Ingredients you’ll need for the frosting

1 stick unsalted butter, room temp
2½ cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp heavy cream
¼ cup + 2 tbsp caramel sauce (Ghirardelli’s is a great choice)
Pinch of salt to taste

Step by Step Guide

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your cupcake pan with liners. You’re one step closer to cupcake bliss!

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This will ensure your spices are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

3. In a large bowl, melt the butter and mix it with the brown sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs. Whisk until smooth, then stir in the milk.

4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, one-third at a time, until the batter is smooth. Fold in the diced apples—you’ll love those juicy bits of fruit in every bite!

5. Spoon the batter into your cupcake liners, filling them about ¾ full. Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

6. While the cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting. Beat the butter until creamy, then gradually add the powdered sugar until fully combined. Add the heavy cream and mix until smooth. Fold in the caramel sauce and a pinch of salt. Taste and adjust with more caramel or salt if needed.

7. Once your cupcakes are cool, pipe the salted caramel frosting on top. Drizzle with extra caramel sauce for that final touch of indulgence!

And there you have it! You can now enjoy these Apple Spice Cupcakes. It is perfect for a cozy get-together or just to brighten up your day, these cupcakes will surely become a favorite in your baking repertoire. Also, these are more than just a treat, they’re a celebration of fall flavors in every bite. So grab one and enjoy every delicious morsel!

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes:

1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
½ cup unsalted butter
⅔ cup + 2 tbsp light brown sugar
2 eggs
¼ cup milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large honeycrisp apple (or two smaller ones), diced into 1¾ cups

For the Frosting:

1 stick unsalted butter, room temp
2½ cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp heavy cream
¼ cup + 2 tbsp caramel sauce (Ghirardelli’s is a great choice)
Pinch of salt to taste

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your cupcake pan with liners. You’re one step closer to cupcake bliss!
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This will ensure your spices are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
In a large bowl, melt the butter and mix it with the brown sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs. Whisk until smooth, then stir in the milk.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, one-third at a time, until the batter is smooth. Fold in the diced apples—you’ll love those juicy bits of fruit in every bite!
Spoon the batter into your cupcake liners, filling them about ¾ full. Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
While the cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting. Beat the butter until creamy, then gradually add the powdered sugar until fully combined. Add the heavy cream and mix until smooth. Fold in the caramel sauce and a pinch of salt. Taste and adjust with more caramel or salt if needed.
Once your cupcakes are cool, pipe the salted caramel frosting on top. Drizzle with extra caramel sauce for that final touch of indulgence!