Apple Milky Way Cupcakes

Adding apples to cupcakes and candy bars to frosting is a fun way to jazz up a box mix cupcake.  These Apple Milky Way Cupcakes are a fun and delicious treat to share with your friends and family.

*This post has been sponsored by Crunch Pak apples.  I have partnered with them to bring you fun apple recipes.

I have found another fun way to enjoy an apple a day.

Oh, you thought this post was about cupcakes?  Well, you thought right...but I bet you didn't expect apples in the cupcakes and candy bars in the frosting.  Ok, so maybe some of you did because you are smart like that.

But keep reading because I bet I can surprise you with how I used the candy bars this time.  

I have started to realize that I love pairing candy bars and apples in fun baked goods.  Remember these Apple Butterfinger Bars and these Fluffernutter Apple Nachos?

The dilemma in the house is keeping everyone from munching on the bags of apples in the fridge.  There just aren't enough hiding places in a refrigerator.  I try to hide them under the broccoli and behind the lunch meat, but my family is on to my fridge stashing.

And let's be honest...I'm totally ok with them noshing on those apple slices.  Now if they find the candy bar hiding spots, I'm not going to be as ok with it.

This week I decided to add apples to some cupcake batter because it had been a while since I had made cupcakes.  I decided this weekend was going to be a random cupcake weekend...no reason but a cupcake itch that needed scratched.  The kids we were baby sitting this weekend were ok with this reason.

Then the dark chocolate Milky Way Bars in the cupboard started talking to me.  Yes, it's true.  I hear candy bars, and I'm ok with it.  I even chat back occasionally!  Now if the broccoli and carrots start chatting with me...I just might freak a little.

One of the first cupcakes I shared here on this blog were these Milky Way Cupcakes.  I wanted to recreate the frosting again with the bars in my cupboards.

Start by making a batch of frosting.  It is going to be very thick at first.  Then melt down the candy bars with some butter.  

Make sure you let the chocolate cool for about 5 minutes before beating it into the frosting.  You do not want your frosting to melt into a puddle of liquid.  It is going to seem really soft at first, but it is thick enough to pipe onto the cupcakes, and it will firm up the longer it sits.

I added some fun Valentine's sprinkles to the tops of these apple Milky Way cupcakes, but you can go with whatever color and theme you want.  Just make sure you make the frosting because it is so fluffy and amazing!!!  I hear that it's good for dipping those extra apple slices in too.

Apple Milky Way Cupcakes

Yield: 24 cupcakes

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 43 minutes

Apple cupcakes with a Milky Way candy bar frosting are a fun treat to share with friends.

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Ingredients

• 1 (15.25 ounce box) vanilla cake mix
• 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding
• ¾ cup apple juice
• ⅓ cup oil
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 ½ cups peeled and diced apples
• 3 teaspoons all purpose flour

For the Milky Way Frosting

• 1 ¼ cups unsalted butter, divided
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• ¼ salt
• 5 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• 4 ¼ cups powdered sugar
• 2 Tablespoons dark cocoa powder
• 16 mini Dark Chocolate Milky Way candy bars
• sprinkles

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place 24 cupcake liners in pans.
2. Combine the cake mix, pudding mix, apple juice, oil, eggs, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl. Beat on low for 1 minute, then on medium for 2 minutes.
3. Stir the flour into the diced apples. Stir the apples into the cake mix by hand. Divide the cake batter into 24 cupcake liners.
4. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Remove and let cool.
5. Beat 1 cup butter, vanilla, salt, and whipping cream until creamy. Add the powdered sugar slowly until it is all mixed in.
6. Place the ¼ cup butter and candy bars in a saucepan. Heat over low-medium heat until melted. Cool 5-7 minutes. Pour into the frosting and beat until creamy.
7. Spoon the frosting into a piping bag fitted with an icing tip 1M. Pipe onto cupcakes and top with sprinkles.

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• 
  Wilton Recipe Right Nonstick 12-Cup Regular Muffin Pan (2, STANDARD)

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 347Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 199mgCarbohydrates: 46gFiber: 1gSugar: 35gProtein: 2g

Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.

Did you make this recipe?

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 More great ways to use apples:

Homemade Apple Pie Filling

Butterfinger Apple Tart

Caramel Apple Bundt Cake

*I was compensated for my time as a brand ambassador for Crunch Pak apples.  As always, all opinions expressed are 100% my own.