Name: Caramel Apple Spice Cupcakes Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 boxed Spice Cake mix; 3 eggs; ½ cup oil or melted butter; 1 cup water; 1 apple, chopped; 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (if using salted butter, omit the salt); 1/3 cup salted caramel sauce or caramel sauce; 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar; ¼ teaspoon salt or sea salt; Green food coloring; Red food coloring; 1 bag caramel bits; 3-4 tablespoons water; Optional: pinch of salt or sea salt; Popsicle sticks; Optional toppings: salted peanuts, toffee, mini chocolate chips, colorful mini M&M’s

Ingredients

1 boxed Spice Cake Mix (plus ingredients: 3 eggs, ½ cup oil or melted butter, 1 cup water)

1 apple, chopped

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (if using salted butter, omit the salt)

⅓ cup salted caramel sauce (or caramel sauce)

1 ¾ cups powdered sugar

¼ teaspoon salt (or sea salt)

Green and red food coloring

1 bag caramel bits

3-4 tablespoons water

Optional: Pinch of salt or sea salt

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.

Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the spice cake mix, eggs, oil or melted butter, and water. Mix on low speed for 1 minute, then increase to high speed for another minute. Fold in the chopped apple.

Step 3: Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.

Step 4: Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cupcakes cool completely.

Step 5: For the frosting, beat the butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 1 minute.

Step 6: Add the caramel sauce and continue beating on medium speed for 2 minutes until combined.

Step 7: Add the powdered sugar and salt, mixing on low speed until incorporated.

Step 8: Increase mixer speed to medium and beat frosting until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes more.

Step 9: Divide the frosting evenly into two bowls. Tint one bowl with red food coloring and the other with green until you achieve the desired colors.

Step 10: Frost the cooled cupcakes using an offset spatula or piping bag with the colored frostings.

Step 11: To make the caramel drizzle, melt the caramel bits with 2 tablespoons of water in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.

Step 12: Add 1 more tablespoon of water to reach a gooey, drizzle-able consistency. Add salt if desired. Adjust thickness by adding more caramel or water as needed.

Step 13: Let the caramel cool for about 5 minutes to prevent excessive dripping, then spoon or pipe the caramel in the center of each cupcake’s frosting.

Step 14: Insert a popsicle stick into the center of each cupcake for decoration and easy handling.

Step 15: Optional: sprinkle additional toppings like salted peanuts, toffee, mini chocolate chips, or mini M&Ms for extra flavor and texture.

Tips & Variations

Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a nice contrast to the sweet frosting.

Try adding cinnamon or nutmeg to the frosting for extra spice.

If you don’t have caramel bits, use store-bought caramel sauce heated gently to drizzle.

For a fun twist, swirl the red and green frostings together for a festive look.

FAQs

Can I use homemade cake batter instead of boxed mix?

Yes, homemade spice cake batter works perfectly. Just fold in the chopped apples before baking and proceed with the frosting and drizzle as directed.

How do I prevent the frosting from melting with the caramel drizzle?

Allow the caramel to cool for several minutes before adding it to the cupcakes to avoid melting the frosting. If you prefer less drip, chill the cupcakes before drizzling.