Apple Cake:
1 box French vanilla cake mix
1 can apple pie filling
1 teaspoon apple pie spice
3 eggs
Caramel Cream Cheese Buttercream:
½ cup butter
8 oz cream cheese
¼ cup caramel sauce (store bought)
2 – 3 cups powdered sugar
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Open the can of pie filling. Using a knife, slice the large pieces of apple into smaller, bite-sized pieces. I did this with the filling still in the can by inserting the knife into the center and letting it hit the bottom and then cutting against the wall of the can all the way around.
3. In a bowl, mix together the cake mix, eggs, pie filling and apple pie spice. If you don’t have apple pie spice you can use cinnamon and nutmeg.
4. Spoon batter into cupcake liners and bake for 14-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Buttercream: Beat butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy, it will take a few minutes. Add caramel and beat again.
6. Add powdered sugar until you reach the desired taste. The consistency might be too loose to pipe, so refrigerate the buttercream until it stiffens.
7. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes and drizzle with caramel.
The Story:
A poor college student recipe.
This looks SOOO GOOD!!!! i should not be allowed to read your blog when i'm not in provo…because i can't partake of these.
This looks too pretty to eat!
Don't worry Katie, I ate one for you!
These look amazing! Can't wait to try them. How many did Clark eat??
I believe his total ended up being 4.
Wowowo , these cupcakes look so pretty !
I am making these cupcakes right now! I can't wait to try them, they smell amazing!!
How long should the frosting sit in the fridge for?
Since the frosting needs to sit in the fridge to firm up to pipe, does that mean that if it sits out for a couple hours, it will start to melt?
Also, could you use applesauce instead of apple pie filling?
Thanks!
The pieces of apple make it perfect. The seasoning in the sauce add a lot to the flavor
Amber, if you don't want to chill the buttercrean, just add more powdered sugar to make it stiff enough at room temperature.
Thanks for the quick reply (and another great recipe), Lizzy! I'm so excited to try these out, but didn't want the frosting to start to melt while they are waiting to be eaten at the function I'm serving them at…
Now all I need is the apple pie filling!
Making these this week! Should any leftover cupcakes (yeah right!) be stored in refrigerator due to the cream cheese or is covered at room temp ok?
i'm planning to use this recipe in a cupcake contest, and i don't wanna use french vanilla boxed cake mix cause it's not allowed.what should i substitute for the french vanilla boxed cake mix??? reply highly needed! =) thanks so much, and btw, the frosting is amazing!!!! =D
Use a basic vanilla cake recipe, but omit any oil and butter because the pie filling replaces that. Make sure to use all the basics… flour, baking soda, salt, sugar and then the spices and eggs.
Just made these and they are great and easy! The only thing is if you are piping the icing make double. I only applied a small blob to mine and it only iced 15 out of 20 cupcakes. I just scraped icing from the bowl and spread on for the other 5!
How many ounces of apple pie filling? I am making these as I'm typing this and my can of filling is 21oz. Is that what you used? HELP!! 🙂
YES! That sounds good, good luck!
Would it Be good to make it as a cake as well? It looks really good and I want to try it for my sisters birthday but she insists on a cake instead of cupcakes.
Yes! It would be a great cake!
How would one go about making this as an 8″ cake? Would I double, triple or more the recipes? How long would I bake each layer (want 2 layers). Do you know if it tastes as yummy if you don’t use the cake mix and use a vanilla cake recipe? I have made these as cupcakes but would really like to do it as a cake. Please let me know if you would. Thanks!
This recipe would make a 8 inch cake. If you use a regular vanilla cake recipe, just substitute some of the liquid for the apple filling. You also can use a little less oil/butter. Good luck!
I love all your cupcake recipes!! Just made these today and took them to work, BIG hit!! Thanks!!
beatiful, love the caramel on top!
I just made these and they were really good, but ended up just making the cake, you should put do not follow “box directions” because I did plus the extra 3 eggs. I guess I should have read ppl’s comments first. Other than that the cake turned out really yummy and the frosting probably was my fav. Thank you for your yummy recipe, will be trying this in the future. ~Mandy
Maded your cupcakes for work and was a very big hit with everyone. I hope you don’t mind but I added 1 teaspoon of maple extract to the frosting too. This is a keeper! Thank you for posting this recipe.
What is apple pie spice??
It is a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom
How big of the apple pie can did you use?
OMGoodness!!!! I made these Sunday night and did not have one until last evening. Simply divine!!! I topped it with a fresh apple slice and caramel. Yummy. Highly recommended.
Lizzy, is there any way to keep the icing firm once it has left the refrigerator if not eating right away?
Add more powdered sugar! You can also check out my caramel frosting used on my PayDay cupcakes.
Hello Lizzy.
I would like to try adding peach instead of apple. What other changes will I need to make if any ?
Thanks.
Hey there. I was planning on making these for a work potluck this Weds. and I noticed you told an anonymous user to omit the butter and the oil if she was going to make it from scratch. Should I do that with the box mix as well? It’s not quite clear in your instructions if we should make the box mix according to the packages directions and add the extra ingredients or if just the box’s dry ingredients are used. I’m guessing it’s the latter but please let me know.
Only use the ingredients listed. Use the cake mix as the dry ingredients and pay no attention to the ingredients on the box. Good luck!
Made these with my bestie a couple of months ago…loved them! She has since made them for a work party potluck Nd turned it into cake for her daughters first birthday party 2 weeks ago. Always a hit! I read someone post about you having a recipe book…any links to that? Can’t wait. My goal is to expand ,y culinary ineptitude starting with your yummy cupcakes!
It will be in stores and online to buy in March!
What size apple pie filling?
Just the standard size that makes 1 pie!
I tried these last yr after my friend sent me a pic of the recipe…
I lost it… And have been searching google for over an hour
looking for this!!! So glad I found it! Thanks!
My husband said this was my best ever cupcake. I, too, put a slice of apple on top.
Hello! I’m baking these right now for thanksgiving tomorrow and was wondering if i could use the Kraft Caramel Bits and melt them down for the frosting and the drizzle or if I need to use actual caramel sauce.
Thanks!
I’m not sure those will really melt down, but you can just make a plain frosting and then sprinkle those on top! Of you can bake them into the apple cake!
I make these cupcakes all the time and everyone loves them!! I’ve even won cook-off’s with them at work and with an association I belong to. These are the best cupcakes I’ve ever had. THANK YOU!!!!
These cupcakes are delicious and have wowed many of my friends!! Easier to make than a straight cake mix!! I’ve made them 3 times now. 2 thumbs up.
Hello! These look amazing and I am going to try and make them once the weather cools down. But I was wondering with the cake mix…do I mix the cake mix with the ingredients that it says to on the box like the oil and eggs or do I just use it dry?
Thank you for taking the time to read my question 🙂
Just use the cake mix dry!
Hi there,
Love your blog!
How much cinnamon & nutmeg should replace the apple pie spice? Thanks in advance for your response!
I’m going to use a spice cake mix. Do I still fix the batter with 3 eggs and cake mix? Also how many cupcakes does this make? Thanks
Hello Lizzy,
My family loves these cupcakes! I’ve been making them for years! A friend has asked for an apple ginger cake. Would it be possible to add ginger to the recipe? Thank you!