Caramel Smothered Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes
Light and fluffy Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes are smothered in a rich homemade caramel sauce that is packed with flavor!
The last month has been totally crazy. At the beginning of October I left my job to work on Maebells and Gin Creek Kitchen full time. Less than a week later we went on vacation for 8 days, then one week later I went to Chicago for a blogging conference.
In the meantime, we were driving back and forth across the state to shuffle our dogs between my house and my parents’ farm. To say it has been overwhelming would be an understatement (thank goodness for snacks).
I feel like I have been in a constant state of chaos. There has been no routine or normalcy, and as a person who NEEDS routine this just isn’t working.
Fortunately, this week things have settled a bit. We are back at home and I am finally getting used to running both a blog and store. To celebrate I decided we needed cupcakes. Specifically, caramel smothered cupcakes!
When we were in Colorado on vacation we went into this little coffee shop for cappuccinos, and they had the most amazing and gigantic apple cupcakes. The whole shop smelled like cinnamon and it was so inviting!
Of course, they weren’t gluten free so we couldn’t taste them but I knew immediately I wanted to recreate them! For more fun fall recipes, check out this list of 20+ Easy Fall Desserts!
Ingredients for Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes:
- Yellow Cake Mix prepared according to package directions (I used Glutino’s Yellow Cake Mix)
- Fuji apple
- Apple sauce
- Cinnamon
- Apple Pie Spice
- Butter
- Coconut sugar
- Heavy cream
- Vanilla
- Salt
How do I make Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes with Caramel Sauce?
I actually tried this recipe a few different ways. At first I made a homemade cupcake recipe including the chopped apples and cinnamon, but it was lacking. They tasted more like muffins and I really wanted this to be like a cupcake.
So, I changed gears and used gluten free vanilla cake mix and doctored it up with little apple chunks that had simmered in applesauce and cinnamon, and then topped it with a homemade caramel sauce! This was just the ticket!
First you’ll preheat your oven and prepare the cake mix as the directions guide you on the box. Pour the batter into the cupcake pan (each well only 3/4 full) and set aside.
Next, you’ll want to make your apple cinnamon filling. Simmer the apple slices, seasonings, and applesauce in a pan for about 10 minutes. Then, spoon this mixture onto each cupcake. Bake these according to the directions (most are 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees F).
While these are baking, you’re going to make the show stopper–The caramel sauce! It is rich and has a great depth to it because I use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar.
Of course, you can always sub brown sugar if you needed but I really prefer the richness that the coconut sugar gives, I just think the flavor is so much bolder! You’ll simmer the butter, sugar, cream, vanilla, and a pinch of salt at a slight boil (stirring constantly) for about 3 minutes.
Once the cupcakes are finished, let them cool a bit and then cover with that delicious sauce! If the cupcakes are too warm, the sauce can just slide right off, so I recommend waiting 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven.
Are these good for meal prepping?
Yes, these cupcakes store and reheat beautifully! The apple mixture keeps the cupcakes nice and moist. To reheat, just place the cupcake in the microwave and heat for 30 seconds.
If you are meal prepping, I recommend adding the sauce when you’re ready to serve. To store, keep these at room temperature up to 3 days.
More Gluten-Free Desserts:
- Chocolate Popovers with Raspberry Syrup
- Keto Butter Pecan Cheesecake
- Salted Caramel Mocha Cheesecake Squares
- Peanut Butter Cup Pie
- Keto Chocolate Cheesecake with Chocolate Covered Strawberries
- Keto French Silk Pie
Get the Recipe: Caramel Smothered Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes
Ingredients
For Cupcakes:
- 1 box Yellow Cake Mix prepared according to package direction*
For the Apple Cinnamon Chunks
- 1 Fuji apple, peeled & chopped
- 2 tablespoons apple sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon Apple Pie Spice
For the Caramel Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/8 cup heavy cream
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Prepare cake mix according to the package directions and spray a 12 count muffin tin with cooking spray. Fill each well 3/4 full and set aside.
- In a small sauce pan over medium heat combine the apple chunks, apple sauce and spices. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes stirring occasionally until soft.
- Let the mixture cool slightly and place a spoonful of the apple cinnamon mixture on top of each cupcake (as pictured above).
- Bake cupcakes as directed on package (about 20 minutes).
- While your cupcakes are baking heat a small sauce pan to medium heat and melt the 3 tablespoons of butter for the caramel sauce. When completely melted add coconut sugar and stir until dissolved. Add the cream, vanilla and a pinch of salt and stir well. Bring caramel mixture to a slight boil, stirring continuously for about 3 minutes.
- Remove caramel from heat and let cool.
- To assemble cupcakes drizzle the caramel sauce over the cupcakes and sprinkle with extra sea salt if desired.
I am such a routine person, it’s scary! And I’m definitely lost when I don’t have one, so I know how you feel. These cupcakes look amazing! I’m loving that gooey caramel topping. Just perfect!
Would it be okay to call these muffins and eat one for breakfast? YUM!
You are amazing. I don’t know how you keep up with all the chaos, just know that you are doing an amazing job!! And caramel apple anything is my weakness! Love these!
Did I really have to browse your blog before heading to the grocery store?! 😛 TOTALLY getting a list together and making these tonight!! Thank you for sharing, as always, Anne!
These look super tasty! I totally understand your need for routine. I go crazy when everything is just up in the air. I hope you find your routine soon. In the meantime, I wish you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I want everything smothered in caramel! Delicious 🙂
That sauce just puts these over the top! Delicious!
I love that you changed the recipe around to make it more cupcake-like! They look fantastic. Can’t beat caramel and apples together. 🙂 Hope you’re having a great Thanksgiving!
I am really struggling with finding my routine too. Life is so full right now, and I feel like there must be a way to keep things organized and under control, but I’m having trouble finding it! These cupcakes look so delicious! That coconut sugar caramel sauce sounds wonderful!
These sound so yummy! Such a great combination of flavors and textures!
These cupcakes look amazing, Annie! I’m all for shortcuts, and I love how homemade these are even though you used a mix. All your add ins totally make it. Swooning!
Um, YUM! These look totally delicious!! A classic taste with a twist! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
My stomach is rumbling for one of these cupcakes!!
I’m sorry life has been so hectic, Annie, and I hope you find your routine soon! I hate feeling like my life is a state of chaos, and honestly I’ve felt like that for the past few weeks with vacation and hosting Thanksgiving. 🙁 These cupcakes certainly look a great way to celebrate some normalcy, too. It doesn’t get much better than caramel apples!
WOW that really was a crazy month for you, Annie! Glad to hear things are starting to settle a bit for you. These cupcakes look TOO good! Love all those flavors and I would never believe they are gluten free!
So much going on! I can’t blame you for wishing for a bit of routine again. These cupcakes are just the kind of sweet that I crave. A lot of the time desserts with a thick dollop of frosting on top are just too sweet for me to take more than a few bites. This caramel sauce is just my speed!
These are making my mouth water! I’ll have to make these soon. They sound like a perfect Fall treat.