Honey Apple Cupcakes
Soft cinnamon cupcakes with grated honey apple, ready in 45 minutes with 25 minutes prep and 18 minutes bake.
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup grated apple, packed (about 1 medium apple, peeled)
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 1 to 2 tbsp heavy cream (for frosting)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12 cup muffin pan with paper liners.
Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl.
Beat butter, honey, and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Mix in vanilla.
Add the flour mix in three parts, alternating with buttermilk. Mix just until combined.
Fold in the grated apple with a spatula. Do not overmix the batter.
Divide batter evenly among the liners, filling each about two thirds full.
Bake 16 to 18 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in the pan 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack.
Beat frosting butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream, then whip until fluffy.
Pipe or spread frosting on fully cooled cupcakes.
Pro Tips
- • Squeeze the grated apple in a paper towel to remove extra juice, so the batter does not turn soggy.
- • Use a firm apple like Honeycrisp or Gala. Soft apples add too much water.
- • Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting, or the frosting will melt and slide off.
- • Warm the honey slightly before measuring so it pours easily and mixes in smoothly.
Recipe Details
Timing
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Nutrition (per cupcake)
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Final Thoughts
These honey apple cupcakes give you fall flavor any time of year. Grated apple keeps the crumb moist, and the vanilla frosting keeps it feeling like a classic treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use apple sauce instead of grated apple?
Grated apple works better here because it keeps some texture and moisture control. Apple sauce adds too much liquid and can make the cupcakes dense.
Do I need to peel the apple first?
Yes, peel the apple before grating. The peel gets tough and chewy once baked and changes the texture of each bite.
Why did my cupcakes turn out dense?
This usually means the apple was too wet or the batter was overmixed. Squeeze out extra juice and stop mixing as soon as the flour disappears.
Can I swap the honey for maple syrup?
Yes, maple syrup works as a one to one swap. The flavor will be slightly less floral but still pairs well with cinnamon.
