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It’s that time of year again.
Apples, pumpkin, cinnamon spice, and everything nice seem to take over the kitchen.
And there’s no way I’d rather have it.
Try and try as I might, I really would like to convince you that non-chocolatey sweets are my dessert of choice.
It’s true. My mom’s apple crisp, pumpkin pie, and gingersnap cookies are my absolute FAVORITE.
Oatmeal raisin cookies grab the spotlight over chocolate chip any day and you might as well just butterscotch my everything because an oatmeal scotchie is the bees knees in my world.
I digress.
Today’s cupcakes are why I believe that sometimes less is truly more. While they aren’t stuffed with chocolate mousse, crowned with any type of ganache, or adorned with candy bars, these modest cupcakes are quite certainly a new favorite.
The cupcake itself is made with melted butter and brown sugar. Comforting flavors like nutmeg and cinnamon dot each bite with the perfect amount of fall spice. The tiny pieces of tart Granny Smith apples hiding inside will melt in your mouth.
They’re incredibly moist like banana bread, soft and fluffy like a muffin, rich and decadent like a chocolate cupcake.
The cupcakes pack enough flavor that you wouldn’t even need to adorn them with frosting. They could truly stand on their own, but let’s not be silly.
Apples and caramel are a classic fall flavor combination and I baked today’s cupcakes as an excuse to make my Salted Caramel Frosting again. 
I know many of you have made it before and it’s truly one of my favorites. It’s dangerously good. Luscious, satin-y, and combining the perfect balance of salty and sweet.
What I love most is how simple it is – (1) make salted caramel (2) stir in powdered sugar (3) stuff your face (4) check yourself in the mirror before walking out the door. I may have skipped #4 and left the house with frosting on my nose, but whatever. Totally worth it.
I topped each cupcake with more caramel sauce because… it’s caramel.
And I topped the caramel with gold glitter sprinkles because… it’s glitter… sprinkles. 
What I love most about today’s cupcakes is that there’s no mixer required! The cupcake batter and the frosting can be mixed together by hand. They are SO easy!
One bite is all it will take to convince even the most die-hard summer spirit that the flavors of fall are here. And there’s no turning back.
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makes 18 cupcakes
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar (or dark brown)
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup milk (almond, cow's, or sory milk are fine)
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 2 small apples, chopped into fine pieces (about 1.5 cups)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2-3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line muffin pan with baking cups. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted butter, sugars, milk, and vanilla until completely smooth. Set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Slowly add the wet ingredients and stir until JUST combined. Do not overmix. Slowly mix in the apples.
- Fill each baking cup about 2/3 full and bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Mine took 22 minutes. Allow to cool.
- Make the frosting: While the cupcakes are cooling, melt the butter in a small saucepan. Once melted, add brown sugar and heavy cream. Stir constantly over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Add salt. Allow to bubble for about 1 minute. Remove from heat and allow to slightly cool. Beat in powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, until you reach desired consistency. Frost cooled cupcakes and adorn with caramel sauce and sprinkles. Cupcakes stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for 5 days.
Notes
RECIPE SOURCE: SALLYSBAKINGADDICTION.COM
© Sally’s Baking Addiction. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or link back to this post for the recipe.
A few other bloggers and I teamed up to make you some apple recipes this week! Check out some favorites so far:
clockwise from top:
Spiced Apple and Banana Bundt Cake with Vanilla Caramel Glaze from Averie Cooks
Apple Pie Cheesecake Parfaits from Inside BruCrew Life
Apple Cheddar Bacon Sandwich with Roasted Red Onion Mayo from JamHands
Apple Spice Muffins with Caramel Glaze from Shugary Sweets
What are your favorite fall recipes? I’m a sucker for apple pies, apple crisps, and caramel apples.
Some of my favorite apple recipes include:
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
Sally these look fantastic! Delicious indeed. LOVING how similar our recipes are! Thanks for joining in the fun!!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted..Apple Spice Muffins with Caramel Glaze
Thank you for organizing apple week Aimee!
I adore Salted Caramel frosting! And on top a delicious apple cupcake…there isn’t much better!!! I agree…there is no turning back from Fall now:-)
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life recently posted..Apple Pie Cheesecake Parfaits and Applicious Week
Thank you for organizing apple week miss jocelyn!!
I’m not much of a chocolatey person either! I think these cupcakes might just reign the #1 spot on my desserts to try! And I absolutely love that no mixer is required. As much as I love my pink KitchenAid, sometimes it’s just too heavy to lug out!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious recently posted..Carnitas Avocado Pizza with Chipotle Avocado Mayonnaise Drizzle #SundaySupper
I agree! Recipes without my kitchenaid are a huge sigh of relief. and non-chocoaltey desserts are my choice, definitely! which is why I love your fruity muffins so much Chung-Ah!
These look amazing and I can’t wait to make that salted caramel frosting!!
keri @ shaken together recently posted..{taste this} caramel apple munch mix
The frosting is too die for! Thanks Keri
i love apple cake! and in cupcake form- how cute.
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef recently posted..Peach Raspberry Clafouti
Sally, do you know if extra Salted Caramel Frosting can be frozen for future use? (I know, the concept of EXTRA frosting is at the fringe of reality…)
I do not recommend freezing the extra frosting. I had some extra frosting that I used on some cookies, but I do not recommend freezing any extra.
Thanks for the quick response! Now that I think about it, I bake with apples a lot, so it really shouldn’t be a problem to use up any extra frosting. I’m definitely going to try this one as soon as I get me some apples. Thanks again.
Not Sally but just sharing my experience in that I do freeze frosting and it works fine when thawed, but usually it’s a buttercream-ish type frosting or glaze and have no idea about the salted caramel that Sally made.
The thing about frosting is that it’s fine in the fridge for me for a month…butter and sugar will keep for a very long time. I only freeze it if I know I have wayyyyy over-made and won’t use it within a month or so. Again, just my own experiences and what my comfort levels are with food storage
Averie @ Averie Cooks recently posted..Spiced Apple and Banana Bundt Cake with Vanilla Caramel Glaze
Thanks Averie! I was afraid the consistency would be altered as this frosting isn’t SUPER thick. But I may try it the next time I make it!
Yeah I’ve only froze buttercream-based and cream cheese-based frosting and those freeze fine. I mean, fresh is always BEST, but they’re 90% as good as fresh when unthawed!
Averie @ Averie Cooks recently posted..Spiced Apple and Banana Bundt Cake with Vanilla Caramel Glaze
Sally, I meant to get back to you on this a long time ago. I made both the cupcakes (delicious) and the frosting (DELICIOUS). The frosting recipe made enough for the batch of cupcakes with enough left over for a single-layer apple cake I made when the cupcakes were gone. And then there was just enough extra frosting to hide in the refrigerator so I could enjoy a couple of spoonfuls when no one was looking.
Thank you!
Um, I’d like to clarify that I did not hide in the refrigerator to sneak-eat the frosting, but that I hid the extra frosting in the refrigerator. (blush)
Totally drooling over these beautiful cupcakes! You had me at salted caramel
we’re flavor twins, and I feel like if we ever roomed together, would probably have a brawl over the last oatmeal scotchie 
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel recently posted..Red Velvet Cake Donuts & A Giveaway!
things would get dangerous!!
hands down my all time favorite cupcake:)
Heather@French Press recently posted..{Salted Caramel} Chocolates
“apple crisp, pumpkin pie, and gingersnap cookies” – in addition to oatmeal raisin and snickerdoodle cookies, those are some of my TOTAL faves as well and they are generally under-represented in the blog and food site world, well, except pumpkin pie. There’s plenty of that
These cupcakes sound incredible and one of the things i just made was…pumpkin cupcakes. Won’t hit the blog for a a couple weeks. I wish we could have a bake-off/swap or something. Based on your description of these, I WANT them! Now! They look incredibly moist and sometimes, (most times) candy stuffed into things is not required. Simple perfection is best.
Averie @ Averie Cooks recently posted..Spiced Apple and Banana Bundt Cake with Vanilla Caramel Glaze
underrepresented is right! all of my favorites hardly get any love! time to change that as I have plans for many of my favorites this time of year.
Simple perfection… exactly what I was going for!
Gorgeous cupcakes Sally! The caramel….yum!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted..Triple Mocha Donuts
Oh yes it is that time of year again! Love it!
These cupcakes sound incredible!
Christina @Sweet Pea’s Kitchen recently posted..Buffalo Chicken Dip
Looks so good! I love caramel anything/ everything!
Thanks Jess! Yes, I am a caramel EVERYTHING this time of year
I’m right there with you–I do love me some chocolate, but fall flavors can’t be beat. I’d totally choose pumpkin pie over a chocolate chip cookie any day? And these cupcakes? Wowsa–they look amazing, Sally!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl recently posted..How to Host a Low-Stress Birthday Party {with Nestle TollHouse}
These are PERFECT fall cupcakes! I think I need to find an occasion to bake these for…
Colleen @ What’s Baking in the Barbershop?! recently posted..Pumpkin, Peanut Butter, & Banana Quesadillas
I love baking cupcakes but can only bake them for occassions! Who needs a dozen cupcakes lying around the house? Luckily, I have some fun events coming up so it’s cupcake time
Love this recipe for Autumn, though to be honest it’s hard to keep apples in the house long enough.
This is going to be a fun recipe to try, I really like caramel!
Something Undone Daddy Durante recently posted..Comment on Daily Dose – 9/16/2012; So, This is War! by omama
You had me nervous with all the badmouthing about chocolate but I have to forgive you, These cupcakes are amazing. And if I can’t have chocolate than Caramel is the perfect substitute! Salted, even better, and some extra caramel sauce drizzled on top, yes please, I’ll take two. And I’ll also take any leftover frosting you might have laying around. Putting all of that on top of a spiced apple cupcake, yes I totally forgive you for the chocolate comments, just pass me a cupcake!
Joan@Chocolateandmore recently posted..Quick Apple Crisp
eeek! i still love chocolate, joan! i just like caramel a tad more! glad you still like me
What a gorgeous cupcake!! Gold sprinkles are the perfect touch, well that and the caramel drizzle
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos recently posted..Dutch Apple Pumpkin Crisp
I love recipes that don’t require a mixer, though I’m pretty sure I’d love this recipe no matter. Apples, caramel, cake, frosting. What’s not to love? I also love baking with the flavors of fall again, but I’d like them even better if summer weather would hang around
Laura Dembowski recently posted..Fresh Pumpkin Muffins
sometimes keeping the mixer in its place is a sigh of relief! I’m going to miss the summer weather!
These look incredible, Sally! You really make some amazing desserts.
Jen @ Savory Simple recently posted..Authentic Maryland Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes
Jen that is so sweet, thank you!
Oh yum! Love love love these. I’m all over apple everything at the moment. And that frosting sounds perfect! Love that you don’t need a mixer.
Erin @ Texanerin Baking recently posted..Healthier Dark M&M Fudge
I feel like everything I’m baking is apple or pumpkin! I’m trying to balance it out with other sweets too but it’s hard! I love apples this time of year.
Silly question in recipe you say something about the caramel sauce do u reserve some when making frosting or is there something I missed?!
I used store bought caramel for the drizzle, sorry that was unclear!
I love these cupcakes Sally! Salted caramel is the best!
Cassie recently posted..Pumpkin Yogurt Snack Cake
I can’t wait to make these. They sound absolutely delicious. I have major salted caramel frosting recipe before with great results. However, the last two times I’ve made it it’s become gritty and not become a frosting at all. Do you know what I might be doing wrong? Am I not letting it cool long enough? Did Eister the caramel too much? I just don’t know. I know the recipe is spot on because the first time I made it it was perfect. I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong now. Thanks in advance.
MAke sure the brown sugar is COMPLETELY dissolved before you allow it to bubble. Make sure you let it bubble for one full minute. Allow to slightly cool and whisk in the *SIFTED* powder sugar. I hope this all helps Lisa!
These look amazing! We would love to invite this apple recipe and other other of your favorite apple recipes in this week’s Iron Chef Mom link up contest!
The Iron Chef Mom Team
http://www.cheeriosandlattes.com/iron-chef-mom-1-apples/
Made these today and they were gorgeous! The frosting was just… oh my god! Thanks ^^
THank you Emma! I’m glad to hear that. They are my favorite cupcakes yet.
Thank you for the recipe! I am so excited to this!
Jamie recently posted..Foodie Trip #4: Big River Brew Pub and 007 date
You are welcome Jamie! Let me know if you bake them
Hi there Sally, just wanted to say a big thanks for sharing this recipe. I got tired of the typical chocolate or gingerbread cupcakes for the festive season, and ended up making 3 batches of these for parties. Haven’t had any leftovers at all! Topped half of them off with green and red M&Ms, and the other half with apple chips.
Have a very blessed Christmas!
I have a mad love for spices and moist cupcakes that keep well, so everything about this was divine… and THAT FROSTING. No need to say more eh, haha.
Will definitely try your other recipes real soon
Hi there! These are actually my favorite cupcake on my website, no questions asked. I love apple desserts and they are such a nice change from your typically chocolate, vanilla, gingerbread cupcakes… just as you said. I am SO happy you love them as much as I do. I love your decorating ideas – the M&Ms and the apple chips! I think I’m going to try them with apple chips next time. Spice cakes – definitely the best, especially this time of year! MERRY CHRISTMAS and thank you for the blessings.
Made these today for my family and they were a huge hit. I loved how easy they were to make. Thank you so much! Can’t wait to try another one of your recipes
Hi JB! That’s great to hear. Thank you for reporting back! They are very easy to make and one of my all time favorite cupcakes. Thank you!
omg Sally, I have lived in USA for a while but i’m back to Brazil and I always visit your blog and I miss so bad all delicious american things hahaha I always do’em and everybody here love it! Thank you so much for sharing
that is great to hear, Juliana! Thank you so much.
LOL!!! I just laughed for a good 30 seconds readinng your comments Anne!! Too funny. But yes, I didn’t think YOU were the one in thr refrigerator! I am so glad that you enjoyed the frosting AND the cupcakes. the cupcakes are probably my favorite ever and i am not lying… SO SO good. The salted caramel frosting should be illegal. haha! I want to go make an apple cake now…
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