Apple Pie Cupcakes

Soft Apple Pie Cupcakes filled with spiced apples and topped with cinnamon vanilla frosting. A perfect fall dessert for holidays and parties.

These Apple Pie Cupcakes are everything you love about classic apple pie wrapped up in a soft, fluffy cupcake. With warm cinnamon-spiced cake, a sweet apple filling baked right inside, and a swirl of creamy cinnamon vanilla frosting on top, they’re the perfect fall dessert.

They look impressive but are surprisingly easy to make. Whether you’re baking for Thanksgiving, a fall party, or just craving cozy seasonal flavors, these cupcakes deliver that homemade apple pie taste in a fun, handheld treat.

Tips for Best Results

• Use room temperature ingredients – Butter, eggs, and milk blend more smoothly and create a lighter, fluffier cupcake.
• Dice the apple filling small – Smaller pieces distribute better and make the cupcakes easier to eat.
• Don’t overmix the batter – Mix just until combined to keep cupcakes soft and tender.
• Bake the first 5 minutes as directed – This helps the base set before adding the apple filling so it doesn’t sink.
• Fill evenly – Use a cookie scoop for consistent portions so all cupcakes bake evenly.
• Cool completely before frosting – Warm cupcakes will melt the buttercream.
• Adjust frosting consistency as needed – Add more powdered sugar for a thicker frosting or a splash of milk for a softer texture.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Butter – Adds richness and flavor to both cupcakes and frosting. Margarine or dairy-free butter can be used if needed.
• Oil – Keeps the cupcakes extra moist and tender. A neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil works best.
• White sugar – Sweetens and helps create a light crumb.
• Eggs – Provide structure and stability. Flax eggs can be substituted, though texture may be slightly softer.
• Vanilla extract or vanilla paste – Enhances flavor and adds warmth.
• All-purpose flour – Provides structure. A 1:1 gluten-free flour blend may be substituted.
• Baking powder – Gives the cupcakes lift and lightness.
• Salt – Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Cinnamon – Adds warmth and classic apple pie flavor.
• Milk – Adds moisture and creates a smooth batter. Whole milk is ideal, but 2% works as well.
• Apple pie filling – Provides the sweet, spiced apple center. Homemade apple filling can be substituted if preferred.
• Powdered icing sugar – Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
• Milk or cream (for frosting) – Adjusts consistency for smooth piping.

Looking for More Fall Desserts?

This salted caramel apple pretzel pie recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and salty. It’s sure to be a hit with your friends and family!

These pecan pie bars are the best dessert for family gatherings! With a gooey filling, and loads of pecans, they’re sure to be a hit.

This Spiced chai pumpkin bundt cake features a tender, spiced chai pound cake smothered in an irresistibly buttery chai glaze.

Apple Pie Cupcakes

Yield: 24 cupcakes | Prep Time: 25 minutes | Cook Time: 17-20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 (20 oz) can apple pie filling, diced
• ½ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup oil
• 1½ cups white sugar
• 4 eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 Tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1¼ cups milk, room temperature

Cinnamon Vanilla Frosting

• 1 cup butter
• 3-4 cups powdered icing sugar
• 2-3 Tablespoons milk or cream
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla paste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two cupcake pans with liners and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, beat together butter, oil, and sugar until light and fully combined.
3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
5. Gently fold half of the flour mixture into the butter mixture. Add the milk and mix until just combined. Fold in the remaining flour mixture, mixing only until incorporated.

1. Scoop about 1 to 1½ Tablespoons of batter into each cupcake liner. Bake for 5 minutes. (Image 1)
2. Remove from oven and place 1 Tablespoon of diced apple pie filling into the centre of each cupcake. (Image 2)

1. Top with the remaining batter (about 1½ Tablespoons per cupcake), covering the apple filling. (Image 3)
2. Return to oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until cupcakes are set and a toothpick inserted into the cake portion comes out clean.
3. Cool completely before frosting.

Frosting

1. In a large bowl, beat butter and 2 cups powdered sugar for about 2 minutes until smooth.
2. Add 2 Tablespoons milk, cinnamon, and vanilla paste. Beat until fully combined.
3. Gradually add additional powdered sugar until desired sweetness and consistency is reached.
4. Transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
5. Pipe a swirl onto each cooled cupcake. (Image 4)

1. Spoon a generous Tablespoon of apple pie filling into the centre of the frosting before serving. (Image 5 and 6)