These Spiced Apple Cider Caramel Cupcakes blends convenience with comfort, making them an easy Fall dessert. They're quick to make thanks to a few shortcuts like boxed cake mix, store purchased caramel sauce, and some pantry staples like cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom. It's the kind of dessert that makes a busy weeknight or any gathering feel extra special.
In This Post
- 💬 Why You'll Love These Cupcakes (From Me to You)
- Ingredients You Need
- Whole Serving Shortcuts + Fresh Whole Food Twist
- Make Ahead Meal Prep Tips
- Substitutions and Variations
- How To Make these Spiced Apple Cider Caramel Cupcakes
- Celeste's Top Recipe Tips
- Ways To Serve Spiced Apple Cider Caramel Cupcakes
- Get Free Recipe Updates!
- How To Store Your Leftovers
- FAQ
- Spiced Apple Cider Caramel Cupcakes | Easy Fall Dessert
- https://thewholeserving.com/comments/
💬 Why You'll Love These Cupcakes (From Me to You)
We're stepping into the time of the year when life feels non-stop and our calendars are overflowing with activities. But we don't have to miss out on special homemade treats. Here's some reasons why I think you will love this recipe.
- They're filled with cozy fall flavors like apple cider, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.
- The boxed cake mix saves time but delivers bakery style cupcakes.
- The diced apples tossed with cinnamon adds texture and freshness.
- The Nestle milk-based caramel adds a glossy sweet finish.
- This is a perfect recipe for busy bakers.
Cook Smart, Eat Well!
Ingredients You Need
🛒 Whole Serving Shortcut Ingredients
- 1 box cake mix (yellow or spice works best)
- 1 jar Nestlé milk-based caramel sauce
🌿 Fresh Whole Foods
- fresh apples, peeled and diced
- cream cheese, softened
- fresh eggs
- apple cider (replaces the water in cake mix directions)
🥫Pantry Staples
- canola or vegetable oil
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg
- ground cardamom
- vanilla extract
- powdered sugar
See recipe card for quantities.
Whole Serving Shortcuts + Fresh Whole Food Twist
This recipe is all about the balance between store-bought simplicity and fresh homemade goodness.
Whole Serving Shortcuts
- Boxed cake mix and ready-to-go caramel sauce cut your time in half.
Fresh Whole Food Twist
- Real apple cider and fresh diced apples make these cupcakes taste like you made them from scratch.
Make Ahead Meal Prep Tips
- Bake ahead: Make cupcakes a day in advance and store them (unfrosted) in an airtight container at room temp.
- Prepare frosting and store: Make the frosting up to 2 days ahead; refrigerate and bring to room temperature before spreading.
- Pre-chop apples: Caramelized apples can be cooked and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days-just reheat slightly before topping.
Substitutions and Variations
- Apples: Swap pears for apples for a fun twist.
- Spices: Pumpkin spice in place of individual spices.
- Cream Cheese: You can use Neufchâtel cream cheese for a lower-fat frosting.
How To Make these Spiced Apple Cider Caramel Cupcakes
1.Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven according to cake mix directions. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners. Peel and dice the apples, place in a bowl and toss with 1 teaspoon of the ground cinnamon. Set aside for later.
2. Mix the Batter: Place the boxed cake mix, apple cider, oil, eggs, vanilla extract, nutmeg, cardamom, and remaining cinnamon in the mixing bowl and mix until smooth.
3. Mix in Apples: Add the diced apples to the batter and fold in using a spatula.
4. Fill & Bake: Divide batter evenly into cupcake liners, filling ¾ full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
5. Make the Frosting: While the cupcakes are baking, use the whisk attachment on the stand mixer, whisk the softened cream cheese until smooth, add powdered sugar gradually, then blend in the apple cider and vanilla, until smooth.
6. Frost the Cupcakes: After cupcakes have cooled, frost using an off-set spatula or use a piping bag and tip.
7. Drizzle on Caramel: Drizzle frosted cupcakes with the caramel and serve, or store in a cool dry place until ready to serve.
Celeste's Top Recipe Tips
Don't over-mix - Mix your batter just until smooth-over-mixing makes cupcakes dense.
Pipe your frosting - Use a piping bag for pretty frosting swirls.
Ways To Serve Spiced Apple Cider Caramel Cupcakes
Hot drinks: Servewith a mug of hot apple cider, chai, or coffee.
Ice cream: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
Breakfast or brunch: For breakfast or brunch, serve alongside a fall fruit platter.
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How To Store Your Leftovers
Refrigerator - Store frosted cupcakes in the fridge for up to 5 days. Serve straight from the fridge or let the cupcakes sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving.
FAQ
Yes! Pour the batter into a greased 9x13 pan or two 8-inch rounds and adjust the baking time accordingly.
Peeling gives a softer texture, but you can leave them on for a rustic look.
Absolutely, you can use a simple dusting of cinnamon sugar instead.
These Spiced Apple Caramel Cupcakes are proof that fall baking doesn't have to be complicated. A fe shortcuts, some fresh apples, and a drizzle of caramel make these cupcakes special. If you love this recipe, try my Apple Nachos with Vegan Caramel Sauce, Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls, Pumpkin Apple Crisp, and Chai Apple Crumble Muffins.
Spiced Apple Cider Caramel Cupcakes | Easy Fall Dessert
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Ingredients
🛒Whole Serving Shortcuts
- 1 box cake mix (yellow or spice works best)
- 1 jar Nestlé milk-based caramel sauce
🌿Fresh Whole Foods
- 2 fresh apples peeled and diced
- 2 8 oz. blocks cream cheese, softened
- 3 fresh eggs
- 1 cup apple cider juice (replaces the water in cake mix directions) plus 1 tablespoon for frosting
🥫Pantry Staples
- ½ cup canola or vegetable oil
- 2 tsps ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven according to cake mix directions. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners. Peel and dice the apples, place in a bowl and toss with 1 teaspoon of the ground cinnamon. Set aside for later.
- Mix the Batter: Place the boxed cake mix, apple cider, oil, eggs, vanilla extract, nutmeg, cardamom, and remaining cinnamon in the mixing bowl and mix until smooth.
- Mix in Apples: Fold in the diced apples to the batter using a spatula.
- Fill & Bake: Divide batter evenly into cupcake liners, filling ¾ full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Frost the Cupcakes: After cupcakes have cooled, frost using an off-set spatula or use a piping bag and tip.
- Drizzle on Caramel: Drizzle frosted cupcakes with the caramel and serve, or store in a cool dry place until ready to serve.
Save This Recipe!
We'll email this recipe to your inbox, so you can find it later! Plus get updates of more delicious quick and easy recipes.
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