Apple Spice Cupcakes with Spice Cream Cheese Frosting
These apple spice cupcakes with spice cream cheese frosting are to die for. They are perfect for the person who likes their cupcakes a little less sweet. The cupcakes are light and fluffy, and have a pop of apple and spice flavor. The frosting is perfectly balanced between cream cheese, sweet, and spices. My husband, who claims to hate apples and cinnamon even thought these cupcakes were amazing!
Quick baking tip: Use baking spray. I LOVE Baker’s Joy baking spray found on Amazon, HERE. I lined my cupcakes, but I still spray baking spray over the top so the cupcakes don’t stick to the liners and easily come out. This spray is wonderful for cakes, muffins, cupcakes, or anything that might stick! I use it no matter what and have never had a problem with my baked goods sticking to the pan.
This is a Baking with Boone Recipe difficulty; Easy. Nearly every step is a chance for you to be able to incorporate your kiddo. In the recipe below, all the instructions with a (*) by them help you easily identify steps where you can incorporate your kiddo in the baking process.
If you liked this recipe, check out our Baking with Boone segment for more recipes to bake with your kiddo.
Apple Spice Cupcakes with Spice Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Apple Spice Cupcakes:
- 1 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Allspice
- 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
- 1/2 Cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/4 Cup Light Brown Sugar, packed
- 2 Large Eggs, at room temperature
- 1/3 Cup Buttermilk, at room temperature
- 1 Large Apple (I used Honey Crisp) peeled and finely diced.
Spice Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1/2 Cup (1 stick) Unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 4 oz Cream Cheese, at room temperature
- 1-1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste or Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- Splash of heavy cream or milk if you need to thin the frosting
Instructions
Apple Spice Cupcake:
- *Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line muffin tin with paper liners. You can also spray the liners with baking spray to avoid sticking. Set aside.
- * In a large bowl, mix your dry ingredients; flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Set aside
- *In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment mix butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy (about 2 minutes). Add eggs and vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- *Add half the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Pour in the buttermilk and mix until combined and then add the remaining flour mixture. Fold in the diced apples carefully with a spatula and avoid over-mixing the batter.
- *Transfer the batter to the prepared muffin tin and fill each cup 3/4 of the way full. Bake the cupcakes for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely while you make the frosting.
Spice Cream Cheese Frosting:
- *In a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until no lumps remain.
- * Add the softened cream cheese and mix until just combined.
- *Add in 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Start with the mixer on a low speed and mix until combined.
- * Add the rest of the powdered sugar a little at a time until the desired sweetness is reached. If your frosting is too thick, add a splash of heavy cream or milk.
- *Frost the cooled cupcakes using a piping bag and tip. You can sprinkle the cupcakes with a little extra cinnamon and decorate with apple slices if desired. Add the apple slices right before serving so they don't turn brown. You can also use dried apple slices
Notes
