Apple Spice Cupcakes  with Cinnamon Frosting are the perfect blend of cinnamon and apple.

These cupcakes are so easy to make with just a cake mix and a can of apple pie filling.  The apple spice cupcakes are so good that they really don’t need an icing, but I couldn’t resist making cinnamon cream cheese icing with caramel drizzle.  It’s amazing and these are one of my favorite fall cupcakes ever.

As much as I love Pumpkin Spice it was time for a little change this season.  I think I have almost maxed out on pumpkin spice lattes already which I didn’t think was possible.  These Apple Spice Cupcakes really hit the spot for a change from my usual.  I love the tangy apples with the cinnamon and spices.

They are so good with a cup of coffee or a cup of hot tea!  The perfect autumn treat.  These cupcakes are another super easy recipe just using a cake mix and a can of pie filling.  You’ll want to keep the cake mix and pie filling handy for these anytime the apple spice craving hits.

Since caramel and apples go so well together I decided to add a little caramel drizzle on the top of these. The caramel on top was the perfect touch and  adds just a hint of flavor.   It also doesn’t overpower the rest of the cupcakes.  Feel free to leave this off because they are great without it, but it I think it adds a nice finishing touch. 

Suggestions for Apple Spice Cupcakes:

• Use a quality cake mix.  The major name brands should all work well with this recipe as long as you find the spice cake flavor!  I’ve used off brands before, but I always end up going back to the brands.  My favorites right now are Betty Crocker and Pillsbury.  It’s just a suggestion, but I’ve worked a lot with cakes and for some reason the difference between brands is very noticeable to me.
• Use canned pie filling only.  I have been using the all natural apple pie filling variety and I really like it.  I am sure that your grandma’s pie filling is the best for apple pie, but it probably won’t work as well in this recipe.  This recipe only works with the canned pie filling and I am not sure if any other pie fillings will work in this.  Try at your own risk.
• Philadelphia Cream Cheese.  This is another one that I know I feel like I am being picky about, but trust me that you will want to use Philadelphia cream cheese!  I don’t know why, but I’ve had trouble mixing the other brands of cream cheese and they just get lumpy even after letting them sit out to soften.  Philadelphia cream cheese doesn’t have this problem and so I highly suggest it.
• Mix well but don’t over mix.  One aspect of cake that I think needs to be talked about more is the fact that you don’t want to over mix the batter because it won’t be as fluffy.  This is especially true with these cupcakes that are made with pie filling because they are more moist that usual.

These apple spice cupcakes remind me of the apple cake I used to get on my birthday.  The apple birthday cake was a gourmet treat for me back then and now I can have the same flavor all the time with just 3 ingredients!  I am always amazed at how well the cake mix/ pie filling cupcakes turn out and I can’t wait to try new flavors too.

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Yield: 24 servings

Apple Spice Cupcakes with Cinnamon Frosting

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Apple Spice Cupcakes  with Cinnamon Icing are the perfect blend of cinnamon and apple.  These cupcakes are so easy to make with just a cake mix and a can of apple pie filling.  

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 box of Spice Cake Mix
• ingredients from the box EXCEPT WATER… do not use the water it calls for, but use the eggs and oil!
• 1 can Apple Pie Filling
• For Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
• 8 oz Cream Cheese
• 2 tsp Cinnamon
• ½ cup butter
• 2 cups of powdered sugar
• 1 can of white icing
• Optional Caramel Sauce for drizzle, from a jar

Instructions

1. Mix all the ingredients together and bake according to the directions on the box of cake mix- except replace all the water it calls for with the apple pie filling. This works best with cupcakes instead of a cake because the cake comes out VERY moist. Bake according to the cake mix box.
2. For the Cream Cheese Icing:
3. Beat all the ingredients together on high with mixer until light and fluffy. Add more powdered sugar to taste and to make icing firmer if desired. Ice the cupcakes once they are cooled and Enjoy!

Notes

FAQ:

Will this work as a regular apple spice cake instead of cupcakes?  I've been asked a lot if this recipe will work for a regular cake and it will!  The only thing is that it's going to be a cake that needs to stay in the pan that it is baked in.  Because of the extra sugars from the pie filling it will not release as well and will slightly deflate if you try to take it out of the pan.  This would make a great refrigerator cake or potluck cake served right from a 9x13 glass dish. 

Can I use a white or yellow cake mix instead of spice cake mix?  You can use a regular white or yellow cake mix in place of the spice cake mix if you use about 1 tsp. of cinnamon in the batter.  It won't be as good (IMO) as using the spice cake, but it's an acceptable replacement. 

How long do these last?  You can store them around a week in the refrigerator, but I wouldn't leave them room temp for as long as regular cupcakes because there is more moisture in these- so for around one day at room temp.  You can also store these in the freezer for a few months. 

Nutrition Information

Yield

24

Serving Size

1 grams
Amount Per Serving Unsaturated Fat 0g

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