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Caramel Apple Cupcakes Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 68 reviews

Delight in these Caramel Apple Cupcakes, featuring moist spice cake loaded with fresh apples, topped with luscious salted caramel frosting in vibrant red and green hues. Finished with a gooey caramel drizzle and optional crunchy toppings, these cupcakes are perfect for festive occasions or any sweet craving.

Ingredients

Scale

Cupcakes

  • 1 boxed Spice Cake mix
  • 3 large eggs
  • ½ cup oil or melted butter
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 apple, chopped

Salted Caramel Frosting

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (omit salt if using salted butter)
  • 1/3 cup salted caramel sauce or caramel sauce
  • 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt or sea salt
  • Green food coloring
  • Red food coloring

Caramel Drizzle

  • 1 bag caramel bits
  • 3–4 tablespoons water
  • Optional: Pinch of salt or sea salt

Optional Toppings

  • Salted peanuts
  • Toffee pieces
  • Mini chocolate chips
  • Colorful mini M&M’s

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cupcake Batter: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin pan with cupcake liners. In a large bowl, combine the boxed spice cake mix with eggs, oil or melted butter, and water. Use an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute, then increase to high speed and mix for an additional minute. Fold in the chopped apples gently to distribute evenly throughout the batter.
  2. Bake Cupcakes: Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cupcakes cool completely on a rack.
  3. Make Salted Caramel Frosting: Using an electric mixer, beat the room temperature butter on medium speed for 1 minute until creamy. Add the salted caramel sauce and continue beating on medium speed for 2 minutes. Gradually add powdered sugar and salt, beating on low speed until combined. Increase speed to medium and beat until the frosting is smooth and well blended, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Color the Frosting: Divide the frosting into two equal portions in separate bowls. Add red food coloring to one bowl and green food coloring to the other, mixing thoroughly to achieve vibrant colors as desired.
  5. Frost the Cupcakes: Use an offset spatula or piping bag to frost each cooled cupcake with the colored frostings, either separately or combining as desired for a festive look.
  6. Prepare Caramel Drizzle: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the caramel bits with 2 tablespoons of water in 30-second increments, stirring after each until fully melted. If desired, add a pinch of salt to enhance flavor. Add an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons of water gradually to achieve a gooey, pourable consistency suitable for drizzling. Stir well after each addition.
  7. Decorate Cupcakes: Allow the caramel drizzle to cool for about 5 minutes to prevent excessive dripping. Drizzle or pipe the caramel over the frosted cupcakes. Insert a popsicle stick into the center of each cupcake for a fun presentation.
  8. Add Optional Toppings: Sprinkle salted peanuts, toffee pieces, mini chocolate chips, or colorful mini M&M’s on top of the caramel drizzle for added texture and flavor, if desired.
  9. Storage: Store the cupcakes at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • Use fresh apples for best texture and flavor; chop them into small pieces so they bake evenly inside the cupcakes.
  • If using salted butter in the frosting, omit the additional salt to avoid over-salting.
  • When adding water to melted caramel for drizzle, add gradually to avoid overly runny consistency; you can re-melt extra caramel to thicken if needed.
  • Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting or sliding of frosting.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute butter and caramel sauce with appropriate vegan alternatives.

Keywords: caramel apple cupcakes, spice cake cupcakes, salted caramel frosting, fall desserts, festive cupcakes

Find it online: https://cookwithruby.com/caramel-apple-cupcakes-recipe/