SugarBee® Apple Pie Stuffed Cupcakes

These SugarBee® Pie Stuffed Cupcakes are the perfect blend of comforting fall flavors and indulgent sweetness. With a soft, spiced cake as the base, each cupcake is filled with a luscious Sugar Bee apple filling that boasts warm notes of honey, caramel, and molasses. Topped with smooth buttercream frosting, these cupcakes capture the essence of a homemade apple pie in a fun, portable treat. Ideal for cozy gatherings or any time you’re craving a taste of autumn!

For the apple filling:

Ingredients:

• 4 Sugar Bee apples
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar
• 3 tbsp water
• 4 teaspoons cornstarch
• 2 tbsp water

Directions:

1. Peel, core, and chop apples into ¼ inch cubes
2. Melt butter and cinnamon over medium heat. Stir in apples, sugar, and water.
3. Cover; cook for 4-6 minutes, or until slightly softened, stirring occasionally.
4. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and the 2 tbsp of water. Add to the pan while stirring; continue to cook apples until soft but not mushy, and filling has thickened. 
5. Turn off heat; cool.

For the cake:

Ingredients:

• 2 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 and 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a muffin pan with liners.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice in a large bowl. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, brown sugar, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla. 
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients; whisk until combined. 
5. Fill each cupcake liner with batter, about ¾ of the way. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Allow the cupcakes to cool while you make the frosting. 

Buttercream Frosting:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup heavy cream, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Directions:

1. With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the powdered sugar, the heavy cream, and vanilla. Beat on low speed, then increase to medium-high speed and beat until frosting comes together. Add a pinch of salt if the frosting is too sweet. 
2. If the frosting is too thin, gradually add up to ½ cup powdered sugar; if it is too thick, add more heavy cream, 1 tablespoon at a time. 

Assemble cupcakes:

1. Once cooled, remove the centers of the cupcakes using the wide end of a piping tip or, cut out using a knife (don’t cut all the way through). Fill the hollowed centers with cooled apple filling, then pipe on the buttercream. Top with a dollop of apple filling and enjoy!

Recipe By: @laurencamposano