Easy-Bake Apple Cupcakes You’ll Love
If you love the taste of fresh apples and warm spices wrapped up in a fluffy cupcake, then this recipe is for you! We’ve taken the essence of a classic apple spice cake and made it even easier to bake up in a fun, handheld form. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll have a batch of tender, flavorful apple cupcakes ready in no time. The addition of grated apples keeps them moist, while a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg adds that cozy, fall flavor we all crave. These cupcakes are a breeze to whip up and are guaranteed to be a hit with everyone who tries them!
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled)
- 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 1/2 cup whole milk (at room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cup grated apples (peeled and cored)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. This helps your cupcakes bake evenly and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set this mixture aside. These dry ingredients provide the structure for your cupcakes and the spices give them that warm, cozy flavor.
- Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until well combined. The mixture should be slightly creamy. Then, add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and milk. This step ensures your cupcakes are moist and flavorful.
- Bring It All Together
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make your cupcakes tough. Finally, fold in the grated apples. The apples will keep your cupcakes tender and add a lovely natural sweetness.
- Fill the Cupcake Liners
Spoon the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each one about ¾ full. This ensures your cupcakes will rise perfectly without spilling over the edges.
- Bake the Cupcakes
Place the muffin tin in your preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Your kitchen will start to smell amazing as the cupcakes bake! Once done, remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Cinnamon Sugar Topping
If you want an extra bit of sweetness, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for the topping. While the cupcakes are still slightly warm, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the top. It adds a delightful crunch and extra flavor.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Once the cupcakes have cooled, they’re ready to be served. These apple cupcakes are perfect as is, but feel free to add a dollop of whipped cream or a simple glaze if you’re feeling fancy.
- Opt for firm, sweet-tart apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji for the best flavor and texture in your cupcakes.
- Use the large holes of a box grater to grate the apples. This size ensures the apples integrate well into the batter and don’t get lost in the mix.
- After grating the apples, gently pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. This helps maintain the perfect cupcake texture.
Have Fun Baking!