Whimsical Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Caramel Apple Cupcakes are my fun and whimsical take on apples growing on a tree, complete with a stem, leaves, and (in a perfect world) a thick caramel coating.

Caramel Apple Cupcakes are sure to be a hit whenever you serve them. You'd better make extra because they'll disappear quickly.

Some of my favorite recipes (both sweet AND savory) are those that feature apples. Take, for example, Easy Cinnamon and Sugar Apple Pie Wedges, Pork Meatballs with Apple and Onion, and Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes with Squash and Apples. Give one (or all) a try and let me know what you think!

How this recipe came to be:

With autumn now upon us, when you walk into any grocery store you spot caramel apples.

Here in the Midwest, they call them Affy Tapples and they've been a fall staple for as long as I can remember!

It was in seeing those apples again this fall that I was inspired to come up with my own version of the Affy Tapple...only in cupcake form.

Why this recipe works:

1. It's got terrific apple flavor.
2. The cupcakes are nice and moist.
3. They're decorative as well as delicious.
4. They're easy to make.
5. Even a novice baker will be successful making these caramel apple cupcakes.
6. They're a fun and unique way to serve cupcakes.

How many cupcakes does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 20 standard-size cupcakes.

How long will these taffy apple cupcakes take to make from start to finish?

Just shy of 1 hour.

Approximately 20 minutes to prepare, and 30 minutes to bake.

Can store-bought caramel sauce be used for this recipe?

Yep! That's what I used in 2013.

However, homemade is always preferred.

So, if you have the time, why not make it from scratch?

Looking for the best homemade caramel sauce recipes?

Great!

I've got you covered with the following:

• Jenni Field's Pastry Chef Online (my choice)
• Sally's Baking Addiction
• Fifteen Spatulas
• Life, Love, and Sugar
• Bellyfull

Can these cupcakes be frozen after baking?

Sure thing.

However, I'd suggest freezing them before adding the caramel sauce. Then once thawed, add the caramel sauce and the decorative details (if desired).

How to freeze cupcakes:

Store the plain cupcakes in a single layer in air-tight containers for up to 2 months.

Thaw the cupcakes at room temperature and then decorate with the caramel sauce, chopped pecans, and twigs and leaves (if using) shortly before serving.

Can these cupcakes be served without the decorative garnish?

Of course!!

They'll be just as delicious without the decorative stems and leaves. You have my word on it!

The step-by-step photo instructions for making caramel apple cupcakes:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Prepare the muffin pans with a healthy dose of cooking spray and set them aside (no muffin liners required).
• In a dry skillet, toast the pecans over low heat until you just start to smell them, stirring occasionally. Set aside to cool while you prepare the batter.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
• Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add melted butter, eggs, and milk.
• Blend on medium speed until all the ingredients are blended and incorporated, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Using a spatula or wooden spoon, stir in most of the toasted pecans (reserve some for topping) and all the peeled, diced apples.

• Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tins making sure that they're at least ¾'s of the way full.
• Bake for approximately 20 minutes in the preheated oven or until a toothpick interested in the center comes out clean.
• Cool the cupcakes in the pan for about 15 minutes and then remove the cupcakes from the pan and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
• In the meantime, scout out some twigs with leaves out in nature. *Note - I used weigela twigs that I cut from some bushes in my backyard. I also removed the bottom leaves from the twigs making sure just to leave the top few leaves in order to mimic a long apple stem with leaves. I did do some research to find out if these bushes were poisonous (they're not), but as a precaution, I made sure to wrap the bottom of each stem with plastic wrap. MAKE SURE YOU DO THIS STEP WITH WHATEVER STEMS YOU USE.
• Once the cupcakes have cooled and you've found and prepared your stems, place the jars of caramel sauce in a low microwave oven to soften the sauce and make it spoonable (this will only take a few seconds).
• Now you're ready to spoon the caramel sauce liberally over each cupcake, making sure to let the sauce drip down the sides of the cupcakes.
• Top each cupcake with the additional toasted pecans you've reserved and insert a prepared stem (plastic side down) into each cupcake.

Additional apple dessert recipes you'll enjoy:

*Apple Pie Wedges (shown below and featured in the video)

You’re going to love how easy and delicious these apple pie wedges are to make…and eat. With store-bought or homemade pie crust, apple pie wedges are utterly delicious!!

*Apple Crumble Crostata (not shown)

This Rustic Apple Crumble Crostata combines two of my family’s favorite apple desserts: an apple pie and apple crumble. It’s casual and rustic and yet it has a lot of flair.

*Dutch Apple Cheesecake (shown below)

A Dutch Apple Cheesecake is creamy and rich with a cinnamon sugar Dutch apple topping, and a sugar cone crumble crust! *Swoon*

*Fireball Apple Crisp (not shown)

When you’re looking to ramp up your apple crisp game, look no further than this recipe for Fireball Apple Crisp. It’s soon to become your flaming desire! 😉

I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's Caramel Apple Cupcake recipe as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!

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