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
Apple cupcakes with a Milky Way candy bar frosting are a fun treat to share with friends.
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
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place 24 cupcake liners in pans.
- 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.
- Stir the flour into the diced apples. Stir the apples into the cake mix by hand. Divide the cake batter into 24 cupcake liners.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes. Remove and let cool.
- Beat 1 cup butter, vanilla, salt, and whipping cream until creamy. Add the powdered sugar slowly until it is all mixed in.
- 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.
- Spoon the frosting into a piping bag fitted with an icing tip 1M. Pipe onto cupcakes and top with sprinkles.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount 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.
More great ways to use apples:
*I was compensated for my time as a brand ambassador for Crunch Pak apples. As always, all opinions expressed are 100% my own.
Maggie Unzueta
Love apple season! I want to sink my teeth into that creamy deliciousness. Yum. Yum.
Deb
I just finished the cupcakes and hubby of course had to try one and he loved it. I will be making the frosting in the morning, it is after 1AM and I am beat. The frosting sounds AMAZING! Can not wait to try it. Will post again tomorrow on the frosting. Thank-you for such an amazing recipe.
Michelle @ My California Kitchen
Love apples dipped in chocolate so this is right up my alley. Also love love LOVE that you melted the candy bars to make frosting! Amazing!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes, apples and frosting is just so good!!!
Amy @ Amy's Healthy Baking
Melted candy bars in the frosting?? Girl, you are GENIUS. I wish I was one of the kids you were baby-sitting that weekend so I could try one! 🙂 Pinned!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you, Amy! I wish you were here too to help me eat these goodies!
Megan - The Emotional Baker
This is such a genius cupcake combo! I love the addition of apples and I never would have thought to melt candy into frosting. LOVE!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you, Megan! Melting candy bars is so much fun and adds just a little bit extra to the frosting!
Amanda
This is a great flavor combination, LOVE!!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much, Amanda!!!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
I am glad I am not the only one talking to my candy bars 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Hahaha! I'm glad I am not the only one too 🙂 Love ya girl!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats
Wow now those are some pretty cupcakes! Love that frosting and that you saved some apples to stuff inside! Dang those apple thieves 😉
Sarah @ The Gold Lining Girl
I love Milky Ways - my favorite candy bar of all time. The regulars and the dark are both fabulous! These cupcakes look sooo decadent! The frosting looks sublime. Wow!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks, Sarah!
Michelle { A Latte Food }
Apples and candy bars? This is genius. Pure genius. And the frosting. Milky way frosting. I'm in chocolate heaven. Pinned!
Kathleen @ yummy crumble
Yummy! I never thought about melting down the candy bars! So genius.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks, Kathleen! Definitely try melting down candy bars for frosting...its' so fun and delicious!
Chels+R.
Those are adorable cupcakes! Love em!
Julie @ Tastes of Lizzy T
This is my kind of apple a day! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes!!! Best way to enjoy that apple a day 🙂
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
Okay the cupcakes are perfect but the frosting? OMG TO DIE FOR.
Jocelyn Brubaker
I was seriously eating it by the spoonfuls 😉
Tonia from TheGunnySack
Fruit and chocolate are so delicious together! I haven't tried it yet in a cupcake, but we love apple Snicker salad!
Jocelyn Brubaker
We love that Apple Snickers salad too! It's been too long since I have had it...that needs to happen again soon!!
Chichi
I heart these cupcakes, Jocelyn. Looks so pretty as well as delicious
Melanie | Melanie Makes
How seriously adorable are these cupcakes? Love the apple and candy bar combination!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so m much Melanie 🙂
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert
You know the way to my heart, Jocelyn! I adore these cupcakes. Apples and Milky Ways sounds like a divine flavor combo and so fitting for Valentine's Day! Swoon!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
These are so fun!! Love the apples in the cupcakes, and how cute for Valentine's Day 🙂 We're a Crunch Pak family too!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yay for Crunch Pak loving and cute cupcakes!!!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
What a fun way to use apple packs, Jocelyn! These cupcakes look amazing. And that frosting on top has me drooling. This qualifies for breakfast because of the fruit in here, right?! 🙂 Pinned!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Gayle! And I like the way you think...apple cupcakes for breakfast 🙂 Thanks for pinning!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
That Milky Way frosting sounds incredible! Apple and candy bars is such a great combo!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks! And yes, apples and candy bars for life 🙂
Beth
You melted the candy bars?! That is pure food blogger genius!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks, Beth 🙂
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
YES! I totally love that you snuck apples into cupcakes! Now, they're totally healthy and breakfast appropriate right? 😉
Side note: I actually have never had a Milky Way! Crazy right? Time to change that!
Pinned!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Never had a Milky Way? Run to the store and fix that right now!!! Thanks for pinning girl 🙂
Liz S.
DEFINITELY a fun, delicious way to enjoy apples and a treat 🙂
Mir
Apple packs are a seriously hot commodity in my house, too! I try to hid them so we'll have them handy for school lunches, but no such luck.
These cupcakes are amazing! I love apples and Butterfinger. Such a fabulous combo!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Those apple packs make such a fun lunch box treat! And I'm all about apple and Butterfinger too!