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Caramel Apple Cupcakes – Lower-Calorie 

Caramel apple cupcakes use fresh Granny Smith apples and are the perfect Fall treat. Complete with a butterscotch and caramel topping.

I love apple season and one of my favorite apples are Granny Smith because I love their tartness. There is no shortage of fresh Granny Smith apples in this recipe because they are in the cupcakes, the frosting, and have a slice on top. These cupcakes are perfect treat for the family, or to take to any holiday party, especially a Thanksgiving dessert! 

What are the benefits of apples?

Apples are extremely rich in important antioxidants, flavonoids, and dietary fiber. There’s truth to the saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away!”

Ingredients 

What you’ll need to make this recipe.

• Yellow cake mix
• Plain Greek yogurt
• Granny Smith apples
• Ground cinnamon
• Vanilla extract
• Canned coconut milk
• Coconut sugar
• Salt
• Coconut sugar
• Lite whipped topping
• Skim milk
• Sugar-free butterscotch pudding

How to make the caramel sauce  for Caramel Apple Cupcakes

To make the caramel sauce, place half of the canned coconut milk, coconut sugar, coconut oil, vanilla extract and salt into a medium saucepan. Stir the ingredients together and let it all come to a boil. Once it comes to a boil, lower the heat down to medium and continually stir for about 15 minutes until the caramel thickens. Once it’s done, transfer the caramel to a bowl so it can cool down.

How to make the cupcakes for Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add a dry package of yellow cake mix to a large bowl, then add in the Greek yogurt, water, ground cinnamon and vanilla. Mix with a hand mixer for about a minute until everything is well blended. Next, peel a Granny Smith apple, remove the core, and dice into small pieces. Fold the apples into the cake mix. Line cupcake sheets with cupcake liners for 24 cupcakes. Divide the cake batter evenly between the 24 cupcake liners. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the center is cooked through by checking with a toothpick.

How to make the frosting for Caramel Apple Cupcakes

While the cupcakes are cooling, take the thawed tub of whipped topping and place in a large bowl. Add the vanilla extract, small box of sugar-free butterscotch pudding and skim milk. Mix with a hand mixer for about a minute until everything is well blended. Peel a Granny Smith apple, remove core, and dice into very small pieces and fold into the frosting. As a result, the frosting will be smooth with small chunks of apple.

How to assemble the Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Remove core from one more Granny Smith apple, slicing thin to get about 24 slices and set aside. Place frosting into a plastic piping bag. Or into a large resealable storage bag and snip the bottom corner to make a piping bag. Next, pipe frosting onto the 24 cupcakes. Top the frosting with a slice of Granny Smith apple. Then, take a spoon and drizzle the caramel over each cupcake, covering the apple and frosting. This step should be completed when the cupcakes are ready to be served and eaten.

Do I need to keep these cupcakes refrigerated?

Yes. Once the cupcakes are frosted they will need to be kept in the fridge. The whipped topping frosting shouldn’t be left unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours.

How long will cupcakes stay fresh?

Unfrosted cupcakes can be stored in an air tight container for up to seven days in the refrigerator or on the counter for two days. The frosting should be kept in the refrigerator.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment below or tag me on Instagram. And don’t forget to Pin it for later!

Calories per serving (1 cupcake): 142

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5 from 16 votes

Caramel Apple Cupcakes - Lower-Calorie 

Caramel apple cupcakes use fresh Granny Smith apples and are the perfect Fall treat. Complete with a butterscotch and caramel topping. 

Prep Time25 mins

Cook Time35 mins

Total Time1 hr

Course: Dessert

Keyword: caramel apple, caramel apple cupcakes, caramel sauce, fall dessert, granny smith apples, low calorie food option

Servings: 24

Calories: 142kcal

Author: simplylowcal

Ingredients

For Cupcakes

• 1 15.25 oz yellow cake mix
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and diced small

For Caramel Sauce

• 1/2 13.5 oz canned coconut milk full fat, not lite
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1/2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/8 tsp salt

For Frosting

• 1 8 oz tub lite whipped topping, thawed
• 1 cup skim milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and diced small
• 1 1 oz box sugar-free butterscotch pudding mix
• 1 Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced into thin slices

Instructions

For Cupcakes

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, add the yellow cake mix powder, Greek yogurt, water, cinnamon and vanilla. With a hand mixer, mix for 1 minute until well blended. Fold in the diced apples.
• Line cupcake trays with 24 cupcake liners. Divide cake mix evenly between the 24 cupcake liners. Bake for 25 minutes, or until cupckes are baked through. Insert a toothpick into the center of a cupcake to see if it comes out clean. Allow to cool.

For Caramel Sauce

• Place all caramel ingredients into a medium saucepan. Stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and continously stir for about 15 minutes until the caramel sauce thickens. When sauce is done, transfer to a bowl and set aside to cool.

For Frosting

• In a large bowl, stir together the whipped topping, butterscotch pudding mix, milk and vanilla. Fold in the diced apples. Place frosting into a plastic piping bag, or a large resealable bag with the bottom corner snipped off.
• When ready to serve cupcakes, pipe frosting onto the cupcakes, add a slice of Granny Smith apple and a drizzle of caramel sauce. Enjoy!

Notes

• Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Nutrition

Serving: 24g | Calories: 142kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 252mg | Potassium: 25mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 3mg

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Enjoy!

If you like Caramel Apple Cupcakes, then you might also like:

Lemon Cake with Pineapple Filling