A Creative Way To Stay Traditional During the Holiday Season

When I was younger, I was always looking for creative desserts to make for my family. I would find recipes and use them as inspiration in making my own, presenting my new creations and awaiting my family’s approval. During my recipe-making experimentation, I figured there was no better time than the holiday season to add a twist to a classic treat. 

I don’t know about you, but the holidays always remind me of desserts. The smell of homemade pies, cupcakes, and cakes filling my home during the holidays was one of my favorite childhood memories. Below I have listed a delicious, and fairly simple, cupcake recipe I have made over the years that will make the perfect addition to any meal, and will create that same nostalgic scent the holidays leave us craving. So preheat your ovens and get ready to add some creativity to a traditional holiday treat!

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Apple Pie Cupcakes

Want a fun twist on the traditional apple pie? These apple pie cupcakes are a simple and delicious way to achieve those same flavors but in tinier portions. With it being the holiday season, add a little flair to your dinner spread with these decadent and flavorful cupcakes, while still maintaining the traditional flavors of the season.

Courtesy of Georgiana LaRocca

Ingredients

Cupcakes:

• 1 ½ cups of flour

• 1 ½ tsp of baking powder

• 1 tsp of ground cinnamon

• ¼ tsp of nutmeg

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 ½ sticks of butter, melted

• 2 tsp of vanilla extract

• ½ cup of milk

Apple Filling:

• 1 cup of apples (about 1 whole apple), cubed 

• 1 tsp of cinnamon

• ¼ tsp of nutmeg

• 3 tsps of granulated sugar

• 1 tbs of lemon juice

Cinnamon Buttercream:

• 3 cups of powdered sugar

• 1 cup of butter, softened

• 2 tsps of vanilla extract

• 1 tbs of milk

• 1 tbs of ground cinnamon

instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line cupcake pans with cupcake holders and set aside.

2. Start by mixing the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt) in a large bowl, then set aside.

3. Mix the sugar with the wet ingredients (butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and milk) in a medium-sized bowl until well combined.

4. Add wet ingredients to the dry mixture and whisk until combined (batter should be thicker and smooth). 

5. Scoop cupcake batter into liners, filling the cupcake liner about ⅔ of the way full. 

6. Cook for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean without batter.

7. While the cupcakes are cooking, start the apple filling.

8. Slice and cube one cup of apples and pour them into a bowl. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, and lemon juice on top of the apples, and mix until they are covered. Microwave mixture for 1 minute. Set aside until cupcakes are cooked.

9. After 20 minutes, remove cupcakes from the oven and let them cool for about 10 minutes. 

10. Once cooled, cut out a small to medium-sized hole in the center of each cupcake.

11. Place apple filling into the hole until it is filled all the way. Repeat until all cupcakes are filled then set aside.

12. For the icing: 

    1. Add softened butter to a large bowl and mix it with the powdered sugar until it is creamy (I prefer adding the powdered sugar in increments). 

    2. Add in the vanilla, milk, and cinnamon and mix until combined and smooth.

    3. Pipe the frosting around the filling (or you can cover the whole cupcake if you prefer it sweeter)

13. Serve and enjoy!

No matter who you spend the holidays with, or where you go, these cupcakes are the perfect addition to any celebration. With some ingredients, and a little effort, these cupcakes take less than an hour to make and are delicious when they’re done. If you want the taste of home in a cupcake, prepare to be amazed.