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Apple Crumble Cupcakes

Delightfully fluffy vanilla cupcakes filled with a cinnamon-nutmeg apple filling, topped with a crispy buttery crumble.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

Crumble Topping
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour Use cold butter for best texture.
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes Keep cold for better crumble texture.
Apple Filling
  • 3 medium apples (such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and diced
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice Keeps flavor fresh.
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Cupcake Batter
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
  • 1/4 cup milk
To Finish
  • as needed caramel sauce, for drizzling
  • as needed powdered sugar, for dusting

Method
 

Crumble Topping Preparation
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup flour, brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Add the cold butter cubes and cut them in until you have coarse crumbs. Cover and refrigerate.
Apple Filling Preparation
  1. In a medium bowl, stir together the diced apples, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1 tablespoon flour until apples are lightly coated.
Cupcake Batter Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and 3/4 cup sugar for 3–5 minutes until fluffy.
  4. Add eggs one at a time and mix well before adding the next.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk sour cream (or yogurt) and milk until smooth.
  6. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternating with the sour cream mixture, mixing just until combined.
Assemble and Bake
  1. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of batter into each liner, followed by 2 tablespoons of apple filling, and sprinkle generously with the chilled crumble topping.
  2. Bake for 20–25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool and Serve
  1. Cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Drizzle with caramel sauce and/or dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

For best texture, keep the crumble cold and add toppings right before serving for maximum freshness. Refrigerate for longer storage.