Imagine biting into a cupcake that captures the essence of fall in every single delicious morsel - soft, moist apple-infused cake topped with a luxuriously smooth maple buttercream that will make your taste buds dance with delight! These Apple Cupcakes are not just a dessert; they're a warm hug on a crisp autumn day, promising to transform your kitchen into a cozy haven of irresistible aromas and flavors that will have everyone begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup grated apple
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup maple syrup (for buttercream)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for buttercream)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Gently fold the grated apple into the wet ingredients, ensuring even distribution.
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove cupcakes from the oven and let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the maple buttercream, beat softened butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar and maple syrup, mixing until smooth and fluffy.
- Once cupcakes are completely cool, pipe or spread the maple buttercream on top of each cupcake.
- Optional: Garnish with a light dusting of cinnamon or a small apple slice for decoration.
Tips
- Use fresh, crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best flavor and texture.
- Grate the apples just before mixing to prevent browning and excess moisture.
- Don't overmix the batter - this can lead to tough, dense cupcakes.
- Ensure your butter is at room temperature for smoother creaming and better texture.
- Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter.
- Use a piping bag for a professional-looking maple buttercream finish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 75mg
