Forget everything you thought you knew about apple pie. This recipe delivers all the warm, comforting flavors of a classic apple pie but in the convenient, adorable form of individual cupcakes! Perfect for a cozy night in, a bake sale, or a delightful autumnal dessert, these apple pie cupcakes are surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner bakers. Get ready to experience a delicious twist on a beloved dessert!
Ingredients:
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup peeled and diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp recommended)
For the Caramel Sauce:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Pinch of salt
For the Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
Making the Cupcakes:
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
- Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and applesauce.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Apples & Bake: Gently fold in the diced apples. Fill each cupcake liner about ¾ full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cupcakes cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Caramel Sauce:
- Sugar Syrup: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar and water. Cook, without stirring, until the sugar dissolves and turns a light amber color.
- Cream & Butter: Carefully pour in the heavy cream (it will bubble up!), then whisk in the butter and salt until smooth and glossy. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Making the Crumble Topping:
- Combine: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- Cut in Butter: Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Assembling the Apple Pie Cupcakes:
- Drizzle: Once the cupcakes are completely cool, drizzle the caramel sauce over the top.
- Crumble: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the caramel sauce.
Tips for Perfect Apple Pie Cupcakes:
- Don't overmix the batter; this can lead to tough cupcakes.
- Use a good quality vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to the batter.
- Let the cupcakes cool completely before adding the caramel and crumble topping. Otherwise, the topping might get soggy.
Variations:
- Spiced Caramel: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the caramel sauce for an extra warm flavor.
- Nutty Topping: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble topping for added texture and flavor.
- Different Apples: Experiment with different types of apples for varied sweetness and tartness.
Nutritional Information (per cupcake, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 350-400
- Fat: Approximately 18-20g
- Sugar: Approximately 30-35g
These delicious apple pie cupcakes are a fantastic way to enjoy a classic dessert with a fun twist. They are perfect for any occasion and sure to impress your friends and family. Enjoy the delightful blend of sweet apples, rich caramel, and crunchy crumble topping – a true taste of autumn!