Spiced Apple Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream
Dive into the cozy flavors of fall with these irresistible Spiced Apple Cupcakes topped with a luscious Salted Caramel Buttercream. Infused with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, these moist cupcakes are made with grated fresh apple and unsweetened applesauce for the ultimate apple flavor in every bite. The crowning touch is the velvety salted caramel buttercream frosting, generously swirled on top and finished with a sprinkle of sea salt for a perfect balance of sweetness and indulgence. Whether you're hosting a festive gathering or simply craving a seasonal treat, these cupcakes are a show-stopping dessert that will leave everyone wanting more. Easy to make and bursting with autumnal charm, they’re sure to become your go-to fall dessert.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 0.25 teaspoon ground cloves
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup applesauce (unsweetened)
- 1 apple, grated
- 0.5 cup salted caramel sauce
- 2.5 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for buttercream)
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 0.5 teaspoon sea salt (for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
Mix in the applesauce and grated apple until fully incorporated. The batter may look slightly curdled at this point – it’s normal!
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about 2/3 full.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
Remove the cupcakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the salted caramel buttercream, beat the softened unsalted butter in a bowl until smooth and creamy (about 2 minutes).
Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated. Then, mix on medium speed until fluffy.
Add the salted caramel sauce and heavy cream, and beat until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, frost them with the salted caramel buttercream using a piping bag or spatula.
Sprinkle each cupcake with a pinch of sea salt for garnish and an extra pop of flavor.
Serve and enjoy your Spiced Apple Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
507 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 27.3 g | 35% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.9 g | 84% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 102 mg | 34% | |
| Sodium | 305 mg | 13% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 62.8 g | 23% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.9 g | 3% | |
| Total Sugars | 49.5 g | ||
| Protein | 2.9 g | 6% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 26 mg | 2% | |
| Iron | 0.8 mg | 4% | |
| Potassium | 68 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
