Apple Sauce Cupcakes are a tasty snack or a great dessert to serve as part of any lunch or dinner menu.  

These cupcakes are loaded with spices and some Chunky Apple Sauce.  You can also use any apple sauce that you have on hand.

For a bit of extra texture you can top them with some chopped pecans.

This gluten free dessert recipe yields 15 cupcakes.

The homemade Penuche Frosting really adds to the flavour of these cupcakes.

Enjoy every bite of this light, decadent treat!

Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.

Be sure to read through the entire post so that you don’t miss out on any important tips and tricks!

To begin making Apple Sauce Cupcakes I creamed together some softened butter and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer.

Then I added in some eggs and vanilla extract.

I used the electric hand mixer again until the ingredients were well combined.

Next I measured in some Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Baking Flour, baking soda, baking powder, ginger and nutmeg.  You can also add some ground cinnamon at this point if there isn’t any in the apple sauce you will be using.

 The electric hand mixer was used again to combine the wet and dry ingredients.

Then I dumped in some apple sauce.  I had some homemade chunky apple sauce on hand but you can use whatever you have available.

At this point I also added a bit of almond milk. 

I beat these final ingredients in until just combined.

Then I lined a muffin tin with some cupcake liners.

I filled the liners about 3/4 full and placed the muffin pan in a preheated 400F oven for 10 minutes and then reduced heat to 350F for 6 – 8 more minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center came out clean.

After removing the Apple Sauce Cupcakes from the oven I allowed them to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.

Then I flipped them on their sides to finish cooling, or you could transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

I whipped up a batch of Penuche Frosting to decorate my cupcakes but you can use whatever topping you prefer.

We like a generous dollap of frosting on our cupcakes.

Once the cupcakes are all frosted you are ready to serve them up or…

You can garnish each cupcake with some chopped pecans if you desire.

Apple Sauce Cupcakes are a great choice any time of the year!

I am sure these cupcakes will be a hit with everyone in your home.

Printable Recipe Card with a Full List of Ingredients and Instructions is Located at the Bottom of the Post.

Here Are More Cakes You Will Love…

PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE RECIPE CAN BE FOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make these Apple Sauce Cupcakes:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3 eggs, large
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1 Gluten Free Baking Flour
• 1/4 tsp ginger
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 8 oz apple sauce (I used Chunky Apple Sauce)
• 2 tsp cinnamon if not already in the apple sauce
• 1/4 cup almond milk 
• Penuche Frosting or icing of choice
• crushed pecans (optional)

How to Make Apple Sauce Cupcakes:

1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Put cupcake liners into the muffin tins.
3. With an electric hand mixer cream together the sugar and softened butter.
4. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extra until well combined.
5. Measure in the flour, ginger, nutmeg, baking soda and baking powder. Add cinnamon if using.  Beat until all dry ingredients are incorporated.
6. Beat in the apple sauce and the almond milk.
7. Scoop the muffin batter into the prepared muffin pans, filling about 3/4 full.
8. Place the muffin pans in the preheated 400F oven for 10 minutes and then reduce heat to 350F for 6 – 8 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
10. Transfer the cupcakes to a cooling rack or flip them on their sides to finish cooling.
11. While cupcakes are cooling prepare the Penuche Frosting or the topping you prefer.
12. Once cupcakes completely cooled use the frosting to decorate.
13. Sprinkle some of the crushed pecans on top of each cupcake.
14. Serve and Enjoy!

FAQS:

What should I serve with apple sauce cupcakes?

Apple sauce cupcakes pair well with a variety of accompaniments. Here are some ideas:

1. Cream Cheese Frosting: A classic pairing, cream cheese frosting complements the flavors of the apple sauce cupcakes with its creamy texture and slightly tangy taste.
2. Caramel Drizzle: Drizzling caramel sauce over the cupcakes adds a decadent touch and enhances the caramelized notes in the cupcakes.
3. Cinnamon Whipped Cream: Whip heavy cream with a bit of powdered sugar and ground cinnamon to create a flavorful topping that enhances the warm spices in the cupcakes.
4. Vanilla Ice Cream: Serving apple sauce cupcakes warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream creates a delightful contrast in temperature and textures.
5. Chopped Nuts: Sprinkle chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds over the cupcakes for added crunch and nuttiness.
6. Fresh Fruit: Sliced apples or berries make a refreshing and colorful garnish that complements the fruity flavor of the cupcakes.
7. Streusel Topping: Add a crunchy streusel topping made from gluten free flour, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon to add texture and flavor.
8. Whipped Cream Cheese: Lightly sweetened whipped cream cheese makes a delicious and lighter alternative to traditional cream cheese frosting.

Choose one or a combination of these options based on your preferences and what you think will complement the flavors of your apple sauce cupcakes best. Enjoy your baking!

How do I store apple sauce cupcakes?

To store applesauce cupcakes properly, follow these steps:

1. Cool Completely: Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before attempting to store them. Placing warm cupcakes in a container can create condensation and make them soggy.
2. Choose an Airtight Container: Place the cupcakes in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and prevent them from drying out. You can use a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid or a sealable plastic bag.
3. Layering: If you need to stack the cupcakes, place a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together.
4. Room Temperature or Refrigeration: If you plan to consume the cupcakes within a day or two, storing them at room temperature should be fine. However, if you want to keep them for longer, store them in the refrigerator. Cupcakes with perishable fillings or frostings, like cream cheese frosting, should always be refrigerated.
5. Avoid Odor Transfer: Keep the cupcakes away from foods with strong odors as they can absorb them.
6. Reheating (if needed): If you’ve refrigerated the cupcakes, you may want to reheat them before serving. Allow them to come to room temperature or gently warm them in the microwave for a few seconds.

Following these steps will help keep your applesauce cupcakes fresh and delicious for as long as possible.

Can I freeze apple sauce cupcakes?

Yes, you can freeze applesauce cupcakes. Here’s a general guideline on how to freeze them properly:

1. Cooling: Make sure your cupcakes are completely cooled before freezing them. If they’re still warm, condensation can form inside the container, leading to soggy cupcakes or freezer burn.
2. Storage Container: Place the cupcakes in an airtight container or freezer bag. If you’re using a container, make sure it’s freezer-safe and seal it tightly to prevent air from entering.
3. Separation: If you’re stacking the cupcakes in layers, separate each layer with parchment paper or wax paper to prevent them from sticking together.
4. Labeling: It’s always a good idea to label your container or bag with the date and contents so you can easily identify them later.
5. Freezing: Place the container or bag of cupcakes in the freezer. Try to position them so they’re not squished or tilted, especially if they have frosting.
6. Thawing: When you’re ready to eat them, simply take the cupcakes out of the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator. You can also microwave them briefly to speed up the process, but be careful not to overheat them.

By following these steps, your applesauce cupcakes should freeze well and remain tasty for several weeks.