Apple Cupcakes with a Cream Cheese Frosting

These are really good, and fresh with the grated apple! Just remember to peel them first! For these cupcakes any type of apple you wish would work, if you want a sweet flavor go for the Honey Crisp or Gala, if you want a tarter flavor try Granny Smith or Green. Although I DO NOT recommend using Red Delicious or Macintosh as I find they definitely are not made for baking purposes. And of course you don’t have to use this frosting recipe, go ahead and even use chocolate frosting if you like! (but I don’t recommend it!)

Original recipe from: https://www.justsotasty.com/apple-cupcakes-with-cream-cheese-frosting/

Ingredients

Apple Cupcakes

• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter , softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 6 tablespoons milk*
• 1 cup grated apple** , peel the apples first to remove the skin

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter , softened
• 3 oz brick-style cream cheese***
• 2 1/2 – 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream , as needed

Instructions

Apple Cupcakes

• Preheat the oven to 350F degrees and line a muffin pan with papers. You’ll end up with 12-15 cupcakes – so you may need 2 pans.
• Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg & cloves in a medium bowl.
• In a separate bowl beat the butter and sugars until fluffy (about 2 minutes). Then mix in the vanilla & the eggs 1 at a time.
• Turn the mixer to low speed. Beat in about 1/2 of the flour mixture followed by the milk. 
• Bet in the rest of the flour followed by the grated apple.
• Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pan filling each about 2/3 to 3/4 full.
• Bake for 17-20 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

Cream Cheese Frosting

• Beat the butter until no lumps remain and it starts to look paler in color.
• Then mix in the cream cheese (be careful to only mix it until combined).
• Beat in the 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar and salt, starting with the mixer on low speed.
• If the frosting isn’t quite sweet enough or is too thin – mix in a little more powdered sugar. If it’s too thick, then mix in 1 tablespoon of cream.
• Frost the cooled cupcakes using a piping bag and tip (I used a Wilton 1M) or a knife. Optionally sprinkle with cinnamon & an apple slice (right before serving)

Notes

*Skim, 1%, 2%, whole milk or buttermilk work well. Almond milk works too.

**I recommend using galas, honeycrisp, pink lady, or ambrosia apples. Green apples work for a more tart flavor. I don’t recommend using Macintosh or red delicious apples for this recipe.