Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Caramel Apple Cupcakes – easy one bowl apple cupcakes with caramel buttercream, melted caramel drizzle and candy toppings. A Halloween cupcake recipe by our contributor, Lauren Kapeluck of EllenJay Events.

Happy Fall! I am super excited to welcome the cooler weather and kick off the fall baking season with some caramel apple inspired cupcakes! I don’t know about you, but this time of year I am craving all things with apple, cinnamon and caramel…apple cake, apple pie, and of course caramel apples! So if you don’t have any apples in your fruit basket right now, you are going to want to go grab some so you can make these Caramel Apple Cupcakes! Not only are these cupcakes moist and delicious but they are super cute and absolutely perfect for Halloween!

This recipe is so simple that it can be made all in one bowl! So if you are pressed for time, but looking for the perfect fall dessert this is a must try recipe! These apple cupcakes can truly stand alone and be eaten without any icing on top. I have to admit I did steal one out of the pan immediately after it came out of the oven to sample. But trust me these cupcakes only get better by adding the Caramel Buttercream on top for some added sweetness! Now you could stop there and enjoy, but it’s Halloween season after all so let’s make these more of a little treat and top with some melted caramels and candy toppings! Add a wooden popsicle stick and you’ve got a true Caramel Apple Cupcake!

If you’re planning a Halloween party this year, I encourage you to make these cupcakes ahead of time and set up a caramel apple toppings bar so all your guests can decorate their own! Halloween sprinkles, chopped nuts, candy corns, or even crushed up candy bars all make the perfect toppings for these cupcakes! Perfect for kids and adults your party guests will have a blast customizing their own cupcake creations!

CARAMEL APPLE CUPCAKES
a recipe by Lauren Kapeluck
(makes 24 cupcakes)

For the Apple Cupcakes:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon
3 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups peeled, chopped apples (I used 1 Granny Smith and 1 Gala)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin pans with cupcake liners.
2. In large bowl combine dry ingredients: flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
3. Add all wet ingredients to dry ingredients: eggs, vegetable oil, sour cream and vanilla. Mix well with wire whisk until well blended.
4. Fold in chopped apples.
5. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full with batter.
6. Bake for 18 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
7. Let cupcakes cool in pans for 5 minutes, then remove to wire racks to finish cooling.

For the Caramel Buttercream:
4 ounces unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup heavy cream
3 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir in brown sugar and heavy cream and keep over medium heat until sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes.
3. Transfer mixture to mixing bowl.
4. Gradually add confectioner’s sugar 1 cup at a time and mix with electric mixer until incorporated.
5. Frost cupcakes using an offset spatula.

For the caramel glaze:
1 (11oz) bag caramel candies
1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half

1. Microwave caramels and half-and-half on High 3 to 3 1/2 minutes or until caramels are completely melted, stirring after each minute.
2. Allow caramel to cool for 1-2 minutes.
3. Dip top of frosted cupcakes into bowl of caramel.

NOTE: Frost all cupcakes with Caramel Buttercream first. Then melt your caramels and dip cupcakes one at a time, immediately adding toppings to each before caramel sets.

For the garnish:
24 wooden popsicle sticks
assorted Halloween sprinkles
candy corn
chopped pecans

1. Once cupcakes have been dipped in caramel, top with your favorite garnish before caramel sets.
2. Insert popsicle stick.

---

 
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY:
Apple Pie Cake
Apple & Goat Cheese Cake
Apple Butter Cupcakes
Apple Crumb Cake
Baked Apple Donuts
Apple Pie Cupcakes

---

 

Find more cake recipes, cupcake recipes and tutorials in our Fall Baking Gallery!