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Moist and fluffy cupcakes stuffed with a sweet apple filling and then topped with cinnamon buttercream. These apple pie cupcakes are the perfect fall dessert that mimics the tastes of a slice of apple pie!

Love apple recipes? Try my brown bag apple pie, dutch apple pie and apple pie bars?

apple pie cupcakes on counter
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Favorite Fall Cupcakes

These apple pie cupcakes are a great solution for when you’re craving homemade apple pie, but want an easier alternative. Just grab a box of your favorite yellow cake mix and some canned apple filling and you’ll be on your way to making delicious apple filled cupcakes in no time.

They combine all of the comforting flavors you know and love about the classic fall pie, but in cupcake form. Each bite is soft and fluffy, with the perfect ratio of apple filling to cinnamon buttercream.

These are the ultimate fall cupcakes and are the perfect way to celebrate the season. Once you give them a try, they will definitely be high on your list of favorite apple desserts!

apple pie cupcake ingredients

Reasons We Love These Cupcakes

  • They use cake mix as the base. Now don’t get wrong, I love a good homemade cupcake, but I don’t always have the time to make them from scratch. Using a box of cake mix helps saves time while still tasting delicious. No one will ever know you used the premade mix!
  • Canned apple filling. Using a can of apple pie filling is another easy shortcut that doesn’t compromise on taste. No cooking or heating involved…just open the can and scoop the filling into each muffin cup.
  • Made in 30 minutes. You won’t believe that a dessert this delicious can be made in only 30 quick minutes! It’s an easy treat to whip up with a busy schedule.
cupcake batter in muffin tin with apple filling

Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

This cinnamon buttercream is the perfect compliment to these apple pie cupcakes. It’s rich, creamy and has a hint of spice flavor from the cinnamon without being too overpowering.

You can either pipe the frosting on the cupcakes, or use a knife to spread it over the top. Piping will require more frosting, so I’d recommend doubling the buttercream so that you have enough, you can use the rest for topping this snickerdoodle muffin recipe. I like to use a 1M star tip for best results.

After the frosting is on, drizzle some salted caramel sauce over the tops to take these cupcakes to the next level. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

Learn how to frost the perfect cupcakes with this easy step-by-step tutorial. With only a few simple tools, you’ll be frosting bakery-style cupcakes in no time.

apple pie cupcake with caramel sauce on top

Variations

Recipe FAQs

What apple is best to use in the filling?

For the apple pie filling Granny Smith is a favorite for baked apple treats although Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Jonagold, Braeburn or Gala also work good.

How to store leftovers?

You can store leftover cupcakes on the counter in an airtight container for up to 4 days or in the refrigerator up to 7 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.

What is the secret to moist cupcakes?

First, don’t over bake them. Second, adding yogurt or sour cream can really help your cupcakes stay extra moist, I use this tip in my carrot cupcakes! Just a 1/2 cup is all you need!

apple pie cupcake cut in half

More easy fall desserts to make include apple fritters, pumpkin spice cupcakes, spice cake mix cookies and my favorite pumpkin crunch cake!

More Apple Recipes

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apple pie cupcake with caramel sauce on top

Apple Pie Cupcakes

4.97 from 27 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
Moist and fluffy cupcakes stuffed with a sweet apple filling and then topped with cinnamon buttercream. These apple pie cupcakes are the perfect fall dessert to try this season!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 17 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes
Servings: 24

Video

Ingredients 

For the Cupcakes:

  • 15.25 ounce box yellow cake mix , plus ingredients on box
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1- ½ cups apple pie filling , can use a can

Frosting:

  • ½ cup salted butter
  • 2 ½ cups powdered sugar , measured then sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-2 Tablespoons heavy cream , more or less as needed
  • ½ to 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

For topping (optional): caramel sauce, apple slices

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 325°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. Prepare the cake mix according to package directions. Mix until the batter is smooth.
    • Fill the cupcakes liners about 2/3 of the way full with batter. Coarsely chop the apple pie filling into bite sized pieces. You can add the can to a food processor to make it easier. Just be careful not to puree. Then add a spoonful of filling in each muffin cup. You don't need to use all of it, you want to leave a little space at the top.
    • Bake in oven for about 17-19 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely.
    • While the cupcakes cool, beat together the frosting ingredients on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 1 minute). Taste and add more cinnamon if desired. Add more cream as needed.
    • Then frost the cooled cupcakes with the icing.

    Notes

    Apple filling: If you prefer to make your own, I love this homemade apple pie filling. 
    Cake mix: You could also swap the yellow cake mix for a spice cake mix or use your favorite homemade vanilla cake mix
    Yogurt: If you want to make the cupcakes extra moist mix in 1/2 cup of sour cream or yogurt into the batter. 
    Piping: If you’d like to pipe the cupcakes like I have in the photos, you will want to double the frosting. I like to use a 1M tip. Check out this post: how to frost a cupcake.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 178mg | Potassium: 23mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 134IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American

    Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

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