Ingredients
Cinnamon Cupcakes:
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 egg (room temperature)
- 2 tbsp sour cream (room temperature)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk (room temperature)
Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
Apple Cinnamon Filling:
- 2 ½ cups peeled and finely diced apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Pink Lady)
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Crumble Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature, cubed)
Instructions
Step 1: Bake the Cinnamon Cupcakes
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a cupcake pan with 12 liners.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to cream sugar, butter, and oil until smooth. Add the egg, sour cream, and vanilla extract, and mix until combined.
- Gradually add half of the dry mixture, followed by the milk, and then the remaining dry mixture. Mix until smooth.
- Fill the liners about ¾ full with batter and bake for 20 minutes, or until the tops bounce back when lightly touched. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 2: Prepare the Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting
- Whip butter on medium-high speed for 5 minutes until pale and fluffy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix on low speed until combined.
- Add vanilla, cinnamon, and salt, mixing until smooth. Slowly drizzle in heavy cream and beat for another 3 minutes for a creamy texture.
Step 3: Make the Apple Cinnamon Filling
- In a saucepan, combine apples, sugar, water, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Cook over medium heat for 10-15 minutes until apples soften.
- Mix cornstarch and 1 tbsp water into a slurry. Remove the saucepan from heat, stir in the slurry, and mix well to thicken.
- Let the filling cool to room temperature before using.
Step 4: Create the Crumble Topping
- Combine flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Use a fork or your fingers to incorporate the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Spread the crumble onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes until golden brown. Cool completely.
Step 5: Assemble the Cupcakes
- Pipe a ring of cinnamon buttercream around the edge of each cupcake using a piping bag with an Ateco 826 tip, leaving a well in the center.
- Spoon the apple cinnamon filling into the well of each cupcake.
- Sprinkle the tops with the crumble topping. For extra flair, drizzle a bit of caramel sauce over the top if desired.
Notes
- The cinnamon cupcakes are moist and warmly spiced.
- The apple cinnamon filling adds a juicy, sweet-tart center.
- The buttercream frosting is smooth, creamy, and cinnamon-infused.
- The crumble topping provides a buttery crunch that evokes the essence of classic apple crisp.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour