caramel apple pie cupcakes
The first baked treat I endeavored to make from scratch was an apple pie (best to start with something simple, right?…), so it’s only fitting that my first post as the sweets guru for Key Ingredient be a similar creation. The list of treats that’ve been adapted to fit the apple pie flavor profile is practically endless: cheesecake, ice cream, muffins, dip, blondies, pancakes, pop tarts, smoothies, granola bars, cookies, macarons, tiramisu, parfaits, scones, and the list goes on. (I feel a little bit like Bubba Blue from Forrest Gump, reciting off his beloved shrimp dishes.)
I’ve only recently hopped aboard the cupcake train (as usual, I was late to the party), and I’ve been really fascinated with the notion of filling the cupcakes with various flavors and textures. I’ve tried curd, plain ol’ frosting, dulce de leche, pie filling, and mousse, to name a few, and I’ve found varying degrees of success with each. So, inspired as I was by the classic apple pie, I knew apple pie filling would have to involved in my batch of cupcakes. I chose snickerdoodle cupcakes as the base, because let’s be honest—apple pie would be nothing without cinnamon. To top things off, I opted for a caramel buttercream. Although regular apple pie is perfectly delicious, it’s helped immensely by the simple addition of caramel.
To be frank, these cupcakes are the best I’ve ever made. The cupcake itself is superb, with the lovely aroma of cinnamon hitting, nay, caressing you before you even take your first bite. (If you aren’t previously familiar with my writing and recipes, it shouldn’t take you long to realize that I’m cinnamon’s greatest fan.) The slightly toothsome and gooey apple pie filling squishes into your mouth in the nicest way possible, offering a slightly tart contrast to the super-sweet and creamy frosting. All in all, it’s a magnificent experience. What’s more, while an apple pie takes several hours to make from start to finish, these cupcakes can be melting in your mouth in a matter of a couple of hours.
Welcome, fall, with all your comforting foods, colorful scenery, and crisp, cool air. Welcome.
