Autumn Apple Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
"Cupcakes great for picnics, lunch boxes, and afternoon snacks. Easy to prepare and easy to eat, these cupcakes are filled with grated apple and spices toped with a cream cheese frosting. (From Bake and Freeze Desserts by Elinor Klivans)"
photo by a Canadian cook
- Ready In:
- 45mins
- Ingredients:
- 16
- Serves:
-
12
ingredients
-
Cupcakes
- 1 cup peeled and grated granny smith apple (1 large apple)
- 1 tablespoon cognac or 1 tablespoon brandy
- 1 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3⁄4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1⁄8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1⁄4 teaspoon clove
- 2 large eggs
- 1⁄2 cup corn oil or 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
-
Frosting
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1⁄2 cups powdered sugar
directions
- For cupcakes: Position rack in the middle of the oven-- preheat to 350* (F).
- Line 12 medium muffin tins with paper lining.
- Put grated apple in small bowl and stir with brandy.
- Put flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in large mixing bowl.
- Mix on low speed to combine ingredients.
- Mix in eggs, oil, vanilla, and apple mixture.
- Divide the batter between the 12 muffin tins, about 3 Tbsp.
- batter each.
- Bake 23-25 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
- **Turnmuffin tins about 12 minutes into baking time to ensure cupcakes bake evenly** Cool cupcakes 5 minutes in pan.
- Transfer to wire rack and cool completely.
- For frosting: Put butter, cream cheese, and vanilla in mixing bowl; beat on medium speed for about 1 minute until mixture is blended and smooth.
- Decrease the speed to low, and gradually beat in powdered sugar.
- Beat until frosting is smooth.
- Spread frosting over cooled cupcakes.
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Reviews
-
These cupcakes were sooo good! I did do a little substituting as I didn't have any cognac or brandy on hand. I used 1 tbsp of apple pie moonshine instead. I also added 2 tbsp extra flour to aid in the rising process because I live in Colorado. The one other thing I did differently was to use all brown sugar instead of white. It just seemed to go with the flavors more. I left the icing recipe as is. I would suggest using the icing sparingly to avoid sugar overload. I made these for a function at my daughter's school and everyone loved them! I will definitely make them again :) -
I'm so lucky! This recipe transformed my one leftover apple that nobody wanted into 12 delicious, moist spicy cupcakes with a sweet-tart frosting. I followed the recipe exactly as to ingredients and amounts, and found it very easy. There did seem to be a little more frosting than absolutely necessary, but I'm not complaining. Thank you for the recipe. I'll make these again. -
We thought these cupcakes were good, but not great. They weren't as moist as other apple cupcakes I've made and the flavour was a bit bland. I added a cinnamon/sugar swirl in the middle of the cupcake but even that didn't seem to boost the flavour. There was a bit of an off-putting aftertaste from something, possibly the baking soda. A single recipe only yielded 9 cupcakes. I usually have great success with Elinor Klivan's recipes, but these are a no-repeat for me. -
These are very good. Thanks for making the directions so easy to follow. I topped them with some chopped almonds and served them for my husband's birthday. Everyone enjoyed them. Next time I will use Audrey's Honey Cream Cheese Frosting (#81888) and throw some cranberries into the batter. Mmmmmm
Tweaks
-
I think I would add walnuts and raisins to this. Maybe a few craisins.
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
Cooking to Perfecti
United States
Hi! My name is Elaine. I am still currently in school, but one of my favorite hobbies, along with dancing, is to cook. Ever since I was really young, my mom and I would make everything together, especially cookies, cakes, and all other sweets. My dad always cooked dinners, and has passed down many good tips and wonderful recipes. I work whenever I can as a hostess at a nearby restaurant.
