Cupcake Batter
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
Apple Pie Filling
- 3 1/2 cups chopped apples
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp water
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 cup cream cheese
- 1/2 cup butter
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
Crumble Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tbsp white sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
- 4 tbsp butter, cold and sliced
Step 1: Make Apple Pie Filling
In a medium saucepan, combine:
- 3 1/2 cups chopped apples
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp water
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until apples soften and the mixture thickens (about 8–10 minutes).
Remove from heat and let cool completely.
Step 2: Make Cupcakes
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
In a large bowl, cream together:
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 1 cup sugar
Add 3 eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Mix in 1 tsp vanilla.
In a separate bowl, whisk together:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients in three additions, alternating with 1/2 cup milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients.
Mix until just combined (don’t overmix).
Step 3: Assemble Cupcakes
- Fill each cupcake liner about 2/3 full with batter.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
- Let cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack.
- Spoon out a small portion of the top middle of the cupcake and add apple pie filling.
Step 4: Make the Crumble Topping
-
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 1/2 tbsp white sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- Cut in 4 tbsp cold diced butter using a pastry cutter or fork until mixture looks crumbly.
- Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let cool and crumble into small pieces.
Step 5: Make the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
-
- 1 cup cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)Beat together until smooth and fluffy
- Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar, mixing well.
- Beat in 1 tsp vanilla and 1 tbsp cinnamon.
Step 6: Decorate
- Pipe or spread frosting on cooled cupcakes.
- Top with extra apple pie filling.
- Sprinkle with crumble topping.


