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?
Table of Contents
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!
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.
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.
Variations
- Swap the yellow cake mix for a spice cake mix if preferred.
- Add a dash of nutmeg to the batter for even more fall flavor. Or use an apple spice blend that’s made with cinnamon, nutmeg and ground all-spice.
- Make a homemade apple pie filling with fresh picked apples.
- Use cream cheese frosting or maple cream cheese frosting with a sprinkle of cinnamon for a tangier flavor.
- Add a crumble topping or streusel topping instead of buttercream.
Recipe FAQs
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.
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.
First, don’t over bake them. Second, adding yogurt or sour cream can really help your cupcakes stay extra moist. Just a 1/2 cup is all you need!
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 Cupcakes
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
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Cake + Cupcakes, Desserts, Fruit Desserts, Kid-Friendly, Nut-Free, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
Apple pie and cupcakes had a baby and this is what you get! LOVE!
Jamielyn,
I love so much your recipes…If I had time left I would spend most of it to cook and bake all you suggest….although some conversion in “grams” would be very much appreciated and it would it make easier… !!!!
Is there any hope to have double directions either in tbsp/ cup and in “grams or liters”?? Thanks a lot, FabtheFabulous
This looks like a great cups to grams converter! :)
Just wondering what the weight or size of the yoghurt container is. I’m in Australia & our sizes are different, just want to check that I use the right quantity.
Thanks
Hi Amanda! The yogurt is a 6 oz. container. :)
I’m about to make these tomorrow for the 2nd time—they got rave reviews the first time!! They are so good. I also made a homemade cinnamon cream cheese frosting, and I couldn’t find the apple yogurt. I used plain Greek yogurt and stirred in a spoonful of the chopped apple pie filling. It worked great and tasted delicious-just thought I would share since a few others asked about apple yogurt substitutes!
I’m about to make these tomorrow for the 2nd time—they got rave reviews the first time!! They are so good. I also made a homemade cinnamon cream cheese frosting, and I couldn’t find the apple yogurt. I used plain Greek yogurt and stirred in a spoonful of the chopped apple pie filling. It worked great and tasted delicious-just thought I would share since a few others asked about apple yogurt substitutes!
Thanks for sharing Kayla! I’m so glad they turned out so well! :)
Could I use applesauce instead of yogurt? I’ve seen that on other cupcake recipes, and it seems like a good fit for this recipe
I made this recipe for the 4th and it received rave reviews from everyone who ate the cup cakes. Thanks for an amazing recipe!
Your comment made my day! I’m so happy everyone loved them, thanks for coming back to comment! :)
is it okay to freeze they with the icing on
I’m sure it would work, it may just change the texture a little! :)
How many cupcakes does this recipe make?
Sorry, I didn’t mean to leave that comment. I just wanted to ask if there could be a substitute for the Yogurt. I too am having trouble finding the Apple Turnover flavor. Thanks. this looks DELISH and I can’t wait to bake!
I’m sure it would still work great with another kind of yogurt! I think the cinnamon roll yogurt would be yummy in these cupcakes! :)
Did yall add the oil and water or just the yogurt?
Can I sub the yogurt with the same amount of Greek yogurt? They Dont sell that apple one in Canada :(
These are amazing! I’ve made these several times and they’re always a hit! I do make my own cinnamon cream cheese frosting which only enhances the deliciousness of these cupcakes!
Seriously, I never comment on recipes but felt compelled to do so. I have made these twice since it was posted and they are DELICIOUS ! They were such a hit. I did add homemade cream cheese frosting, but other than that, made no changes. These will definitely be on my go to list!
Robin I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!! Thanks for letting me know!!
just having trouble now finding the Yoplait apple turnover flavor. Have you used any others to substitute?
These look delicious!!!And surprisingly simple, can’t wait to give them a try.
Sorry, pressed add comment too soon! These look delicious, I love apple pie and to have it in a cupcake is my idea of heaven!
I love cupcakes and these look wonderful! So excited to give them a try!
These look DELICIOUS, Kristin!! I can’t wait to try!
So excited to be here! Thanks Jamielyn!!
Thank you for your Apple Pie Cupcake Recipe! My 11 year old son’s favorite food is apples. He’d love to try these for sure!