Apple Pie Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream – A Decadent Twist on a Classic Dessert

Imagine the comforting flavors of a warm apple pie wrapped in a soft, moist cupcake and topped with the most luscious salted caramel buttercream. These Apple Pie Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream are the perfect fusion of a homestyle classic and a bakery-style treat.

The base of these cupcakes is a fluffy cinnamon-spiced vanilla cake, filled with a rich apple pie filling made from fresh apples, brown sugar, and warm spices. As if that weren’t indulgent enough, they are crowned with a velvety buttercream infused with homemade salted caramel, adding a perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness.

Whether you’re baking these for a cozy family gathering, a fall-themed party, or simply as a treat to satisfy your sweet tooth, these cupcakes will steal the show. The combination of textures and flavors—soft cupcake, gooey apple filling, and creamy frosting—creates a truly unforgettable dessert.

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes

Ingredient	Quantity
All-purpose flour	1 ½ cups
Baking powder	1 ½ tsp
Baking soda	½ tsp
Salt	¼ tsp
Ground cinnamon	1 tsp
Unsalted butter (softened)	½ cup (1 stick)
Granulated sugar	¾ cup
Brown sugar	¼ cup
Eggs	2
Vanilla extract	1 ½ tsp
Buttermilk	½ cup

For the Apple Pie Filling

Ingredient	Quantity
Apples (peeled, cored, diced)	2 large
Unsalted butter	1 tbsp
Brown sugar	¼ cup
Granulated sugar	2 tbsp
Ground cinnamon	½ tsp
Ground nutmeg	¼ tsp
Lemon juice	1 tbsp
Cornstarch	1 tsp
Water	1 tbsp

For the Salted Caramel Buttercream

Ingredient	Quantity
Unsalted butter (softened)	1 cup (2 sticks)
Powdered sugar	4 cups
Homemade or store-bought salted caramel sauce	½ cup
Heavy cream	2 tbsp
Vanilla extract	1 tsp
Sea salt	½ tsp

Equipment Needed

• Muffin tin & cupcake liners – to shape the cupcakes perfectly.
• Mixing bowls – for preparing batter, filling, and frosting.
• Electric mixer – to ensure a smooth, fluffy buttercream.
• Saucepan – for cooking the apple filling.
• Cooling rack – to cool cupcakes completely before filling and frosting.
• Piping bag & tip – for a beautifully swirled buttercream topping.
• Apple corer or small knife – to hollow out the cupcakes for the filling.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Cupcakes

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
6. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about ¾ full.
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Allow cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

2. Prepare the Apple Pie Filling

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
2. Add the diced apples, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Stir well.
3. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft.
4. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir it into the apple mixture.
5. Cook for another 2 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

3. Make the Salted Caramel Buttercream

1. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy.
2. Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition.
3. Drizzle in the salted caramel sauce and continue mixing.
4. Add heavy cream, vanilla extract, and sea salt, beating until fluffy and smooth.

4. Assemble the Cupcakes

1. Use an apple corer or small knife to remove the center of each cooled cupcake.
2. Fill each hole with a spoonful of cooled apple pie filling.
3. Transfer the buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a large tip and swirl it onto each cupcake.
4. Drizzle extra salted caramel over the frosting and sprinkle with a pinch of flaky sea salt.

Tips and Variations

• Make it extra indulgent – Add a graham cracker crust layer at the bottom of each cupcake liner before adding the batter.
• Dairy-free option – Use coconut milk instead of buttermilk and dairy-free butter.
• Different apples, different flavors – Granny Smith for a tart contrast, or Honeycrisp for extra sweetness.
• Gluten-free adaptation – Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve these cupcakes slightly chilled for a firmer buttercream or at room temperature for a soft and creamy texture.
• Garnish with a light dusting of cinnamon, a caramel drizzle, or a mini apple slice for an elegant touch.
• Pair with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a truly decadent dessert experience.

Perfect Pairings

• Warm apple cider enhances the cinnamon and apple flavors beautifully.
• Chai latte complements the warm spice notes.
• Bourbon caramel cocktail for an indulgent adult pairing.

Storage and Reheating

• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
• To freeze, place unfrosted cupcakes in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before filling and frosting.

Nutritional Information

Per Serving	Approximate Values
Calories	320-350 kcal
Carbohydrates	45g
Sugar	30g
Fat	15g
Protein	3g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Conclusion

These Apple Pie Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream are the perfect blend of homestyle comfort and bakery-level indulgence. With their soft cinnamon-spiced base, rich apple filling, and creamy, sweet-yet-salty buttercream, they bring all the warmth of a classic apple pie into a perfectly portioned dessert. Whether you’re serving them at a holiday gathering, a cozy autumn afternoon, or simply treating yourself to something special, these cupcakes are sure to impress. The balance of textures and flavors makes every bite an experience—moist cake, tender apples, and silky caramel frosting melting together in pure bliss.

Now it’s your turn to bake these irresistible treats! Try out the recipe, experiment with variations, and don’t forget to share your creations. Whether you add an extra caramel drizzle, a pinch more cinnamon, or a unique twist of your own, these cupcakes are meant to be enjoyed and personalized. If you loved this recipe, leave a comment below or share your pictures on social media—we’d love to see your delicious results!