Spiced Apple Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Moist spiced apple cupcakes topped off with cinnamon cream cheese frosting and a dried apple chip. A fun Fall dessert!
I can’t get over how so many stores already have Christmas displays. Let’s forget the fact that it’s not even Halloween yet, or October for that matter. Can’t we for once try and actually celebrate Thanksgiving? I know it’s not nearly as profitable for retailers, but let’s just try. Hold things back a bit. There’s plenty of time to set up those trees and silly displays of ornaments etc.
It kind of goes along with the battle over opening earlier, later or not at all on Thanksgiving. I’m in the ‘stay closed’ group. Spend time with family. Have happier workers, well rested workers, ready to face the crowds the next day. The products and bargains will still be there in the morning. Plus, don’t most people do a lot of their shopping online these days anyway? Once the holiday season hits, I try to avoid the stores at all costs. I’d much rather do my holiday shopping from the comfort of my couch.
Totally unrelated, but I started re-watching the last season of Scandal this week. It’s a perfect treadmill show. I figure I have just enough time to get through all of the episodes before the new season begins next week. I can’t wait!
And, because the weekend is here… let’s celebrate with cupcakes!
This recipe makes just enough cupcakes to enjoy with a few friends. No worries about a huge batch hanging around, taunting you every time you make a trip into the kitchen!
Moist spiced apple cupcakes, topped off with the best cinnamon cream cheese frosting and garnished with homemade apple chips. So much Fall goodness in every bite!
These would be perfect for all Fall related celebrations or just because!
Add these spiced apple cupcakes to your weekend baking plans!
Spiced Apple Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Batter:
- 1/4 C granulated sugar
- 1/4 C light brown sugar
- 1/4 C unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- pinch ground cloves
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 C all purpose flour
- 1/2 C yogurt, plain or apple flavor
Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 Tb unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 C powdered sugar, sifted
- Dried apple chips, for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare a cupcake pan with 7 paper liners.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in egg and vanilla. Scrape the bowl as needed. Add salt, baking powder and spices. Mix until evenly dispersed. Add half of the flour, followed by half of the yogurt. Mix until combined. Repeat with remaining flour and yogurt. Mix until no streaks remain.
- Divide mixture evenly between prepared paper liners, using a large cookie scoop.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
- In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and buter until smooth. Mix in cinnamon and vanilla. Add powdered sugar large spoonfuls at a time until fully incorporated and desired consistency is reached.
- Frost cooled cupcakes using a piping bag and tip, or desired method. Top off with homemade dried apple chips.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator.
I love fall and all things apple. These look amazing!
Thanks Sarah!
There is already Christmas decorations out?! Oh man. Even though I am so excited for fall (a baby coming around Halloween will do that ;) ), I don’t want to see Christmas decorations yet!
And these cupcakes look like the perfect way to welcome fall!
I’ve seen several stores with Christmas displays. It’s depressing!
I can’t imagine going shopping on Thanksgiving. There isn’t enough coffee in the world to keep me energized through all of that craziness! :). These look so delicious! You had me at “spiced apple.” And nothing. Is better than cream cheese frosting!
Haha I couldn’t agree more. I’ll gladly stay home and shop on the couch! And thanks Amanda!
These are sooooooo gorgeous!! I couldn’t imagine a better way to enjoy fall desserts.
Thanks Jessica!
I’ve seen Christmas decorations in my area too, and it is so disappointing that we can’t just celebrate occasions as they happen instead of being hit over the head with them so far in advance. Fall is my favorite time of year (even though we dob’t even have fall where I live) and your cupcakes look like the perfect welcome to this time of year. Such delicious-looking cupcakes and beautifully enticing photos.
Thanks Felice! Hopefully we have a long slow Fall this year ;)
These are beautiful Rachel! I love the dried apple garnish, so pretty. And I’m ashamed to admit that I’m one of those Christmas freaks. They have those displays out for people like me. It’s all my fault! I’m so sorry!! :)
Thanks so much Karen! Haha No judging…it’s just definitely not my thing, but I understand it is for many! :)
Lovely cupcakes for autumn!
Thanks Medeja!
These cupcakes are so pretty!! I love the apple chip garnish! I have to totally agree with you about the stores putting out Christmas stuff way to early!! The Sams I go to put out Christmas stuff the beginning of Sept!!!!
Thanks Malinda! It’s really a shame they have to push the season so much!
How much apple flavor does the yogurt give? Is that the only apple flavoring that goes into the cake?
It gives a light but noticeable flavor. Without the apple flavored yogurt, you still have spices traditional for apple dishes, giving a fun Fall flavor.