Apple Pie Cupcakes

Do you  like cupcakes?

Do you like apple pie?

When you have both of them in front of you, do you find it difficult which one to start with?

If you have answered ‘yes’ to all three questions, keep reading.

If you have answered ‘no’ to even one of the questions, keep reading, your life is about to change.

Sometimes I feel that I am a creature of habit. I did it again. I decided that I need to start eating healthy and bought apples. What happened after that is described perfectly by the series below. (My husband will totally agree)

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Every time I would open the refrigerator for something, I would see the apples and hear my husband’s voice ringing in my head… ‘are you going to eat this?’. That’s when I decided to make a dessert, escape that comment and make him a happy man. What should I make? What should I make? I’ve already done the crumble. I did a pie very recently.. Hmm…

*Google Search Time*

I really wanted to try a recipe that involved stuffing a cupcake. My research took me to a recipe by Dessert Before Dinner for Apple Pie Cupcakes. Ohh… the picture of the cupcake had me at ‘Hello!’

But.. but.. but.. wait a minute! I have to make salted caramel for this recipe!!! Arrrggghh!!! I’ve tried that twice before and both times it was an epic fail. Would this time be any different? You know what, nothing ventured, nothing gained. I’m a woman on a mission. This will get done.

I researched a lot on how the caramel needs to be prepared. (I think I studied that a lot more than the actual cupcake recipe). I went to various websites and read about it, saw all the YouTube videos I could lay my hands on, and one Sunday afternoon, I was ready.. For the caramel and for the apple pie cupcake.

COOK POOJA MISSION #23 – APPLE PIE CUPCAKES WITH SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE

Rules

  1. This mission comprises of five levels. The completion of each level successfully will ensure progress to the next levels.
  2. The difficulty of each level will differ from one another and measured from one star (*) up to five star  (*****) with five star being the most difficult.
  3. There will be certain ammunition allotted for each of the levels. Targets need to be achieved in those only

LEVEL 1 – SALTED CARAMEL SAUCE

Difficulty – *****

Level attempt number – 2

Ammunition

  • 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 90 g Butter
  • 200 g Cream
  • 1 tsp Salt

Prep 

A complete target assessment was carried out before the beginning this challenge. Images were kept in front of me of how the sauce needs to look at every stage. The ingredients were cautiously measured, and I was ready to go. (The one thing I rarely do. I pride myself for being a cook who works with feel more that the measure, but I cannot risk that again. Lesson for the day – Sometimes you’ve just got to follow the instructions!!)

BEGINNING LEVEL IN… 3… 2… 1… GO!

*Deep Breath*

In goes the sugar. *eyes don’t dare budge away from the pan*

The sugar starts melting to a beautiful amber colour liquid… *Yes! Yes! Yes! So far so good! Keep calm!*

Add cubes of butter… *woowwzzaaa!!! bubbles! ah huh.. that sure looks like the picture… concentrate.. stir*

Take it off the heat.. add cream.. *more bubbling!! wait a minute… it’s still amber in colour.. like the picture! It’s not become burnt brown… I think things are looking up.. keep stirring.. keep stirring!*

Add a pinch of salt… *this could work.. Dear God, please let it work… Keep Stirring!*

Time for the taste test… *ummm… sweet, not bitter… salty.. wow!! i cannot believe it! It worked! I did it! Lalalalala!!!*

​LEVEL STATUS – COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY

Level Report

Getting the right consistency for the caramel sauce can be tricky, but it is not like it can’t be done. It takes just about 15-20 minutes and lasts a long long time. The sauce can be used for so many recipes and I’m sure it will never go waste. Just remember to store it in an air tight jar and in the fridge.

LEVEL 2 – SPICED VANILLA CUPCAKES

Difficulty – **

Level attempt number – 1

Ammunition

(Has been modified as a few of the ingredients were not available as in the original.)

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ⅓ cup curd (mixed with a little milk until a smooth consistency is achieved.)

Prep 

There is not much to do in the prep stage. Perhaps you can put on some music since it is a very simple cupcake recipe and is not stressful at all.

BEGINNING LEVEL IN… 3… 2… 1… GO!

Preheat oven to 350 degF or 180 deg C. Line cupcake pan with paper cups.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, apple pie spice, and salt. *Lalalala.. Easy breezy*

In a large melt butter and whisk in the sugar. Mix in eggs one at a time until well mixed. Pour in vanilla, buttermilk, and yogurt until combined. Slowly stir in dry ingredients until no lumps remain. Batter will be thick. *Should I put in some rum?? Hmm… maybe next time. Let’s see how this turns out first* Divide batter among cupcake liners, filling each ⅔ full.

Bake in preheated oven for about 17 to 19 minutes or when a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool in muffin tin several minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Allow to cool completely before filling and frosting. *Cream coloured cupcakes… can’t remember the last time I made cupcakes that look like this. It smells good though, with all the spices*

​LEVEL STATUS – COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY

Level Report

Spiced cupcakes balance out the sweetness of the apple really well. It would be nice to have a cupcake tray which is slightly bigger as I already know how much work I have cut out for me. Also, bigger cupcakes = more filling = yummier cupcake.

LEVEL 3 – APPLE PIE FILLING

Difficulty – **

Level attempt number – 1

(I wonder if it can be attempt one since I’ve made this filling several times.)

Ammunition

  • 2 medium sized apples cut into small pieces. Smaller the pieces, the better it is to cook and stuff in later. ( I usually shred one apple for a slight difference in texture)
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • lemon juice from a quarter lemon
  • ½ Tbsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg

Prep

Not much prep required here either.

BEGINNING LEVEL IN… 3… 2… 1… GO!

In a medium saucepan, place chopped apples, butter, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and apple pie spice together. *Apple sugar and cinnamon… this sure is the best way to eat apples.. bwahahaha* *belly grumble*

Cook over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes, until apples are tender. Stir occasionally. Allow mixture to cool. *This is the easy level. Although I can go through this with my eyes closed, I better not :P*

LEVEL STATUS – COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY

Level Report

This is a level that can easily be achieved. A little patience with the apples will go a long way. This mixture is a standard apple crumble and apple pie filling. Add some nuts, rasins, or any type of dried berried for a slightly different texture. The mixture can also be used as a topping for ice cream as well,  with some salted caramel sauce of course.

LEVEL 4 – CARAMEL BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Difficulty – ***

Level attempt number – 1

Ammunition

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup salted caramel sauce, at room temperature *from Level 1.. Bwahahaha!*
  • pinch of salt
  • 1½ to 2 cups of powdered sugar
  • 1 Tbsp heavy cream

Prep

BEGINNING LEVEL IN… 3… 2… 1… GO!

In the bowl whip butter on  medium high speed for about 3 to 4 minutes. * Oookk! Now we’re getting to a difficult level. I’m not very good with icing, but I just bought a few piping nozzles and I intend to use it!* Add vanilla extract and salted caramel sauce *which I just made.. Lalalala! Super proud moment* and mix until combined, scraping down the sides as needed. *Hmm… I wonder… I wonder… Could it be going in the right direction? I guess I’ll just have to wait and watch… Whip away*

Add 1 cup of powdered sugar and salt; beat on low until powdered sugar is incorporated. Add heavy cream and then add more powdered sugar until desired consistency is achieved. *Burrrrrrrrrrr…. whipping… whipping away*

Increase speed to medium, and beat until smooth and well combined for another 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Prepare a piping bag and fill with frosting.

LEVEL STATUS – COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY

Level Report

This ice cream is so beautiful light and fluffy. The salted caramel gives the icing a really nice flavour.

LEVEL 5 – ASSEMBLY

Difficulty – ***

Level attempt number – 1

Ammunition

My steady hands and a keen eye and will to get this done!

Prep

Get every element, which I am sure is scattered all over the house by now, together. This is the fun part.

BEGINNING LEVEL IN… 3… 2… 1… GO!

Using a small knife, cut and remove a circle in the center of each cupcake. Using a spoon try to carve out as much of the cake as possible.  *Precision and consistency is the name of the game my friend*

Fill with apple filling. Pour a layer of salted caramel over the apples. Pipe frosting on top ever so gently. *Ta-Dahhh!!!*

*One done… Eleven more to go… Let’s do this!*

LEVEL STATUS – COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY

Level Report

This level really needs a lot of patience. However, you also need to be fast else the frosting could melt. The toughest part of this level is that it is super hard to resist popping these babies in your mouth as soon as you finish assembling one cupcake. May the force be with you!

MISSION STATUS – COMPLETED YUMMALICIOUSLY!

*OVER AND OUT!*

APC1

APC2

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This post is a part of the 3Girls and a #BlogAlong link up that is hosted by Shruti from Msz Knowitall, Upasna from Life on my Plate and me from the first Sunday of every month to the Second. This month we talk about Food!! Oh Glorious Food! Food you love, food you hate, best thing you had when you travelled…. anything and everything you want to share to make the tummy grumble louder…

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This post is also linked to the LouLouGirls Link Up. You can check their work out here

9 Replies to “Apple Pie Cupcakes”

  1. OK, yes please.
    These look freakin’ amazing. I’m not sure how the sugar would react with me, but I’m willing to try it. Holy lovely. Though I’m not sure I’d have the patience to make them!

    1. Trust me… it is worth the effort!
      While making this I remember asking myself why I was putting myself through this.. but when you have one of these… you know why. They’re that good!

  2. hahahaha, PDP, you are so funny…. I can picture you staring at the apples like they are your worst enemies after having willfully bought them.. 🙂
    And my god, this recipe… scrumptious!!

    1. Hahaha!!! Do you know what’s even funnier? Apples are the only fruits I like!! 😛 I’m so not a fruits person.. lolzz!! I guess that’s why I love deserts…

      1. I swear.. this whole healthy eating thing… we go buy tons of fruit every other weekend, and if even one spoils, because of our ignorance, negligence, shamelessly turning a blind eye, we feel so bad. But we still don’t eat them properly.
        Oops!

  3. Pooja! This is sooo well written!
    Can’t believe this is what you had to go through to make these “bacon and cheese vol-au-vents”! Next blog on molecular gastronomy and food deception, whatsay!?

    1. Hahaha!!! Molecular gastronomy.. it’s on!!! 😀

  4. I’m drooling right now! This looks so good. Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for bringing this to our party and we hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm. Lou Lou Girls

    1. Thanks so much for having me 🙂 Super excited about the next party!

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