These Apple Pie Stuffed Cupcakes bring all of the warm, comforting flavors of fall in one simple, delicious treat! Soft, fluffy vanilla cupcakes are filled with a gooey, spiced apple pie filling and frosted in a rich cinnamon buttercream, giving you all the cozy flavors of apple pie without the hassle of making a crust! Each bite is a perfect blend of sweet apples, warm cinnamon, and tender cake, making for a unique twist on a favorite fall dessert.
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Whether you're looking for the perfect Thanksgiving dessert or just craving something sweet and festive, these apple-filled cupcakes are sure to impress! They're easy to make, fun to serve, and the ultimate way to celebrate the flavors of fall.
If you can't get enough apple pie flavor, you're in luck! Try my Caramel Apple Cheesecake Crisp for a warm, gooey twist on classic apple pie, or bake a pan of Apple Kuchen Bars when you're craving something buttery, spiced, and sweet. You'll also love my Sheet Pan Caramel Apples, a fun and easy way to serve everyone's favorite fall treat without the mess.
Each of these recipes is packed with cozy cinnamon flavor and the perfect balance of tart apples and sweet caramel - guaranteed to make your kitchen smell like fall!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- All the flavors of apple pie without the crust: Enjoy the classic taste of homemade apple pie in a soft, fluffy cupcake - or try my Sheet Pan Apple Pie for an easy way to serve that same delicious flavor to a crowd.
- Perfect fall dessert: A fun and easy twist on traditional apple pie - ideal for Thanksgiving or any cozy autumn gathering.
- Easy to make: Starts with a simple box cake mix, but tastes completely homemade.
- Warm cinnamon and brown sugar frosting: The sweet, spiced frosting pairs perfectly with the apple filling for irresistible flavor.
- Surprise apple pie filling: A gooey apple center adds the perfect touch of fall sweetness to every bite.
Ingredients
Gather the ingredients below to make these apple pie cupcakes!
- Yellow cake mix is simple, convenient, and leaves you with soft fluffy cupcakes every time! Use your favorite brand, or make a homemade cake mix if preferred.
- Powdered sugar sweetens and thickens the buttercream frosting, making it smooth and fluffy without making it gritty.
- Milk helps achieve the perfect frosting consistency.
- Ground cinnamon (plus more to sprinkle on top) gives these cupcakes that signature fall flavor and hit of spice.
- Butter is the key for getting a smooth buttercream. Make sure it gets to room temperature before incorporating.
- Brown sugar adds a rich sweetness that enhances the warm flavors of the apple pie filling and cinnamon frosting.
- Vanilla adds the perfect sweetness that ties all of the ingredients together.
- Apple pie filling gives these cupcakes their fall flavor and delicious apple taste. Use canned apple pie filling for convenience or make your own from scratch!
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Caramel Apple Drizzle: Top your cupcakes with a rich caramel drizzle for that classic caramel-apple flavor everyone loves- or try my Snickers Caramel Apple Salad for another irresistible caramel-and-apple dessert combo.
- Cake Mix Variations: Swap the yellow cake mix for spice cake or cinnamon swirl crumb cake mix for extra fall flavor.
- Apple Cider Boost: Replace the water in your cake mix with apple cider to intensify the apple flavor and add cozy autumn sweetness.
- Salted Caramel Upgrade: Use salted caramel instead of regular caramel for a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavor.
How to Make Apple Pie Stuffed Cupcakes
Once you've gathered all your ingredients, preheat the oven according to the cake mix directions and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. Then follow the steps below to make these stuffed cupcakes!
- Step 1: Make the cupcakes according to the box directions.
- Step 2: Fill the cupcake liners with the cupcake batter and bake according to the box directions.
- Step 3: Allow the baked cupcakes to cool completely.
- Step 4: Using a small knife, remove the center of each cupcake.
- Step 5: Carefully spoon the apple pie filling into each cupcake. Be sure to save some to top each cupcake.
- Step 6: In a large mixing bowl, beat brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and vanilla until smooth.
- Step 7: Slowly add powdered sugar and beat on low.
- Step 8: Place into oven at 350 fahrenheit
Helpful Tips
- Warm the Apple Filling: If your apple pie filling is straight from the can, warm it slightly before adding to the cupcakes. It'll be easier to spoon and tastes extra cozy!
- Chop the Apples: For a smoother filling, chop the apple slices into smaller pieces so they fit neatly inside the cupcake centers.
- Cool Completely Before Filling: Make sure your cupcakes are completely cool before adding the apple filling - otherwise, the frosting can melt.
- Don't Overfill: Add just enough filling to keep the cupcake moist without spilling over the edges. A cupcake corer can help create the perfect hollowed out space!
- Add a Cinnamon Sprinkle: Dust the tops with a light sprinkle of cinnamon or apple pie spice before serving for extra flavor and a bakery-style finish.
- Serve Slightly Warm: Pop the cupcakes in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before serving to bring out that fresh-baked apple pie flavor.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Homemade apple pie filling works beautifully in this recipe. Just make sure it's fully cooled before adding it to the cupcakes so it doesn't melt the frosting.
Let the cupcakes cool completely before adding the apple filling. Also, avoid overfilling the centers - a spoonful is enough to add flavor without making the cake too moist.
Definitely! Spice cake, butter pecan, or cinnamon swirl mixes all make delicious variations for fall.
No, you can add the apple pie filling straight from the can into the center of the cupcakes. There's no need to warm it or cook it first. If you're using homemade filling, make sure it gets to room temperature before adding.
If you want to put those cupcake centers to use and don't feel like eating them right away, you can save them and make cake pops, trifles, or keep them to add as a crumble topping!
Yes, absolutely! You can bake your cupcakes a day in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator before filling and frosting them.
Storage & Freezing Instructions
Storage Instructions
These apple pie stuffed cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let them get to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.
Freezing Instructions
Feel free to freeze the unfrosted and unfilled cupcakes for up to 2 months. Then, simply thaw the frozen cupcakes and continue with filling and frosting before serving.
More Apple Dessert Recipes You'll Love
Looking for other apple recipes like this? Try these:
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Apple Pie Stuffed Cupcakes
Ingredients
- Box of yellow cake mix
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (plus more to sprinkle on top)
- 1 cup butter (room temperature)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 21 ounces apple pie filling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to the temperature indicated on the cake mix box.
- Prepare a muffin tin by lining it with 12 cupcake liners.
- Make the cupcakes according to the box directions. Allow them to cool completely.
- Using a small knife, remove the center of each cupcake.
- Carefully spoon the apple pie filling into each cupcake. Be sure to save some to top each cupcake.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and vanilla until smooth.
- Slowly add powdered sugar and beat on low.
- Add the milk while continuing to beat the frosting until light and fluffy.
- Transfer frosting to a large ziplock bag. Using a frosting tip, frost each cupcake.
- Add a small spoonful of the apple pie filling to the top with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Notes
- Warm the Apple Filling: If your apple pie filling is straight from the can, warm it slightly before adding to the cupcakes. It'll be easier to spoon and tastes extra cozy!
- Chop the Apples: For a smoother filling, chop the apple slices into smaller pieces so they fit neatly inside the cupcake centers.
- Cool Completely Before Filling: Make sure your cupcakes are completely cool before adding the apple filling or frosting - otherwise, the frosting can melt.
- Don't Overfill: Add just enough filling to keep the cupcake moist without spilling over the edges.
- Add a Cinnamon Sprinkle: Dust the tops with a light sprinkle of cinnamon or apple pie spice before serving for extra flavor and a bakery-style finish.
- Serve Slightly Warm: Pop the cupcakes in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before serving to bring out that fresh-baked apple pie flavor.
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