If you love apple pie and cupcakes, this recipe combines both into one easy, sweet treat, apple pie cupcakes. These soft, spiced cupcakes are filled with warm apple pie filling and topped with smooth buttercream, making every bite taste better than apple pie.
With simple ingredients like cinnamon, brown sugar, and sweet apple filling, you can create bakery-style apple pie cupcakes at home without complicated steps. Whether you’re craving apple recipes or need a fun dessert for fall, this apple pie cupcake recipe delivers classic flavor with a modern twist.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
These apple pie cupcakes come together with simple, classic ingredients that bring all the apple pie flavor to a handheld dessert.
For the Cupcakes:
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ½ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Apple Pie Filling:
• 2 cups peeled, diced apple (Granny Smith or your best apple)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ tablespoon flour
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Or you can use canned apple pie filling as a shortcut.
For the Cinnamon Buttercream:
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
These ingredients create moist cupcakes from scratch, filled with sweet apple pie filling and topped with creamy cinnamon buttercream frosting.
Instructions
Follow these easy steps to make apple pie cupcakes that are soft, spiced, and filled with sweet apple pie flavor:
Step 1: Make the Apple Pie Filling
• In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat.
• Add diced apple, brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and lemon juice.
• Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring, until apples are tender. Set aside to cool.
Step 2: Prepare the Cupcake Batter
• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
• In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
• In a separate bowl, beat butter and brown sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy.
• Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
• Mix in sour cream, milk, and vanilla.
• Gradually add dry ingredients; mix on low until combined—do not overmix the cupcake batter.
Step 3: Bake the Cupcakes
• Fill each cupcake liner ⅔ full with batter.
• Bake the cupcakes for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before filling and frosting.
Step 4: Fill the Cupcakes
• Using a small knife, core the center of each cooled cupcake.
• Fill the cupcakes with cooled apple pie filling.
Step 5: Frost the Cupcakes
• In a bowl, beat butter with a stand mixer until smooth.
• Gradually add powdered sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and heavy cream.
• Beat until light and fluffy.
• Pipe the frosting onto each apple filled cupcake.
These apple pie cupcakes with cinnamon buttercream are filled and topped with the perfect mix of sweet, spiced flavor, just like apple pie and cupcakes combined.
Pro Tips and Variations
These simple tips help you make perfect cupcakes every time and give easy recipe variations to keep your apple pie cupcakes fun and delicious:
Pro Tips for the Best Results
• Use the Best Apple: Granny Smith works great for a tart filling, but any sweet apple pie filling works.
• Cool Before Filling: Always let the cooled cupcakes sit before adding the apple filling, so they don’t fall apart.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Use butter, eggs, and sour cream at room temperature for a smooth batter and light and fluffy cupcakes.
• Don’t Overmix: Mix just until combined to keep your spiced cupcakes soft and tender.
• Perfect Buttercream: For smooth cinnamon buttercream, beat on high with your stand mixer until fluffy.
Easy Variations to Try
• Apple Pie Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream: Swap the topping for cinnamon sugar or caramel drizzle.
• Apple Filled Cupcakes Shortcut: Use canned apple pie filling to save time.
• Pie Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream: Add a pie crust crumble or mini pie dough decorations on top for an extra apple pie look.
• Apple Crumble Cupcakes Recipe: Sprinkle brown sugar crumble over the frosted cupcakes for texture.
These apple pie cupcakes from scratch are easy to adjust, so you can make these apple pie cupcakes your own.
Serving Suggestions
These apple pie cupcakes are packed with cozy flavors, making them perfect for gatherings, parties, or whenever you crave an apple pie twist on a cupcake recipe.
Best Ways to Serve:
• Enjoy at room temperature or slightly warmed for extra apple pie flavor.
• Top with extra apple topping or drizzle caramel for a bakery-style finish.
• Pair with coffee, tea, or warm cider for a cozy treat.
• These perfect cupcakes work great for holidays, fall parties, or anytime you want to serve baked apple treats.
How to Store Cupcakes:
• Keep frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; let sit at room temperature before serving.
• You can make the apple filling and cinnamon buttercream ahead to save time.
With sweet apple pie filling inside and fluffy cinnamon buttercream frosting on top, these apple pie and cupcakes are always a crowd favorite.
Conclusion
If you love apple pie and cupcakes, these apple pie cupcakes bring the best of both in one easy, sweet treat. With soft, spiced cupcake batter, warm apple pie filling, and creamy cinnamon buttercream, every bite tastes like a slice of homemade apple pie. Whether you make them with canned apple pie filling for speed or fill them with your own apple mixture, these cupcakes from scratch are perfect for parties, family gatherings, or whenever you crave cozy apple recipes. Simple, delicious, and better than apple pie, you’ll want to make these apple pie cupcakes again and again.
Apple Pie Cupcakes
Ingredients
Cupcake Batter
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp baking soda
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup milk room temperature
Apple Filling
- 2 apples peeled and finely diced
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp butter for sautéing
Topping
- 1 cup whipped cream or frosting for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mix until combined.
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk into the wet mixture until fully combined.
- Spoon batter into liners, filling 2/3 full. Bake 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- While baking, prepare the filling: sauté apples with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon until soft.
- Cool cupcakes completely. Use a small spoon to scoop out centers and fill with apple mixture.
- Top with whipped cream or frosting and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.
Notes
- Calories: 290
- Total Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 40g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Total Sugars: 28g
- Added Sugars: 20g
- Protein: 3g
- Vitamin A: 8% Daily Value
- Vitamin C: 2% Daily Value
FAQs
What pairs well with apple pie?
Apple pie pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel. For drinks, coffee, tea, or a warm cider enhances the apple pie flavor, making it a cozy dessert.
Why does apple pie call for lemon juice?
Lemon juice adds brightness and balances the sweetness of apple pie filling. It also helps prevent the apple pieces from browning while keeping the apple filling flavorful and fresh.
Why do people love apple pie?
People love apple pie for its warm, sweet apple filling, flaky crust, and comforting spices like cinnamon. It’s a classic dessert with nostalgic flavors—just like these apple pie cupcakes.
What drink goes with apple pie?
Hot coffee, tea, or apple cider pairs well with apple pie or apple pie cupcakes. For a festive option, try serving with sparkling cider or a cinnamon-spiced latte.
Is apple pie better cold or warm?
Apple pie and apple pie cupcakes are best served warm for soft, gooey filling and rich apple pie flavor. But they’re still delicious at room temperature if you’re serving them later.
