Apple Spice Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting

This Apple Spice Cupcake recipe is packed with sweet Honeycrisp apples and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg—perfect for fall! Topped with creamy salted caramel buttercream and an extra drizzle of caramel, they strike the perfect balance of sweet and salty.

More Salted Caramel Recipes
– Pumpkin Cake With Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting
– Salted Caramel Butter Poke Cake
– Salted Caramel Cracker Bites

Apple Spice Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting Recipe

Servings: 12 cupcakes
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Cool Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Cupcake Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2/3 cup + 2 Tbsp light brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large Honeycrisp apple (or two smaller ones – enough to make 1 3/4 cups of diced apples)

Salted Caramel Frosting Ingredients

• 1 stick unsalted butter, room temp
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp heavy cream
• 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp caramel sauce (storebought or homemade)
• Pinch of salt to taste

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Add cupcake liners to the cupcake pan and set aside.
3. Add the dry ingredients to a small mixing bowl (flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg).
4. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, sugar, vanilla and eggs. Add the milk and whisk again.
5. Next, add half of the dry ingredient mixture to the large bowl of wet ingredients. Stir, then add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until the batter is combined and smooth.
6. Dice the apple into small pieces and carefully fold into the batter.
7. Fill the cupcake liners 3/4 of the way full.
8. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Remove cupcakes from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool.
9. To make the frosting, begin by adding the softened butter to a large mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed for about 1 minute.
10. Slowly add the powdered sugar in thirds until it has all been combined. The mixture will be crumbly.
11. Add the heavy cream and mix again until smooth.
12. Fold in the caramel sauce and a pinch of salt.
13. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag.
14. Pipe the frosting on cooled cupcakes and drizzle with caramel. You may also add a slice of apple for a garnish if desired.