• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Anna Banana
  • RECIPES
  • ABOUT
    • Privacy Policy
  • MY GEAR
  • COLLABORATE
  • PORTFOLIO
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • COLLABORATE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • PORTFOLIO
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • RECIPES
    • COLLABORATE
    • CONTACT
    • ABOUT
    • PORTFOLIO
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Cakes

    Spiced apple and blackberry cupcakes

    Published: Sep 21, 2020 · Modified: Feb 1, 2021 by Anna · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 21 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    These easy and delicious cupcakes combine lovely, seasonal flavours of apples and blackberries. Light and airy sponge with hints of aromatic spices, topped with luscious, super-smooth blackberry buttercream!

    straight ahead shot of spiced apple and blackberry cupcake topped with fresh blackberry and rosemary

    Seasonal flavours of apples and blackberries

    Apples and blackberries are at their best now, and they are the stars of today's recipe!

    Spiced apples are a classic autumnal treat and a flavour that everyone loves and enjoys. The fragrant and aromatic spices, like cinnamon and cardamom, not only taste delicious, but instantly make you feel all warm and cosy.

    overhead shot of the ingredients for spiced apple and blackberry cupcakes with text overlay

    Sweet and juicy blackberries taste oh-so- delicious, but also add the most gorgeous colour to bakes and treats. From deep purple to beautiful hues of reds and pinks, making it a perfect, natural food colouring. Just look at the colour of that buttercream!

    top view of spiced apple cupcakes with blackberry buttercream

    Tips for baking spiced apple cupcakes

    What I love about this recipe is how quick and easy it is. All ingredients are mixed in one bowl, and the whole thing takes less than an hour to be ready, start to finish! Here are few tips to make sure your bake turns out perfect:

    • Start with preparing apple sauce. I normally use Bramley apples for this. This variety is more acidic than others and creates the finest puree. However, any apple variety can be used. Simply peel, core and chop the apples, place them in a saucepan with some water, caster sugar and a squeeze of lemon. Cook until apples are completely tender and soft. Apple sauce is great for adding more moisture and keeping your cakes, muffins and cupcakes fresher for longer. It also acts as a fat replacer and reduces calories in bakes. I highly recommend to always have a jar of apple sauce in the fridge, it is soo versatile!
    super close up of a cupcake with blackberry buttercream in a paper case
    • Do not overmix the cake batter. As always, stop mixing, as soon as you can no longer see the last ingredient you've added. Overmixing the batter will result in dens and chewy bakes.
    • Divide the cupcake batter equally between the cases. The secret to uniform and identical cupcakes? Use an ice cream or a cookie batter scoop! That way you can make sure that the exact same amount of batter goes into each cupcake.
    • top view of a person adding cupcake batter into paper cases
    • top view of a baking tray with spiced apple cupcakes inside

    The secret to perfect buttercream

    Blackberry buttercream makes a perfect addition to these spiced apple cupcakes. Both flavours work so well together and they compliment each other in every way.

    How to make sure that your buttercream has a perfect consistency and texture? The secret is the right temperature butter! Not too cold, but not too warm either.

    side super close up of a bowl with blackberry buttercream

    Allow your butter to sit on the counter, at room temperature for about 1 hour before using it. However, the amount of time will depend on the weather and how cool your kitchen is. If it is a warm and sunny day, it may take much less. If it is cold day during winter, it may take longer than an hour.

    super close up of a cupcake topped with pink buttercream and fresh blackberry

    To check if your butter is ready, do this simple test: poke the butter with your finger. If your finger leaves an indent without sinking or sliding down into butter, it is ready.

    Butter should also not feel greasy or be shiny. If it is, you have left it out for too long. Simply return it to the fridge for 15- 20 minutes to firm up again.

    Transfer your buttercream to a piping bag fitted with your favourite piping nozzle (I used Wilton 8B). If the consistency and texture of the buttercream feels too soft, place your piping bag in the fridge for about 10 minutes. It should be enough for the buttercream to firm up and use it again.

    straight ahead close up of 3 spiced apple cupcakes topped with blackberry buttercream

    How to store these cupcakes

    Frosted cupcakes can be made a day ahead and stored at room temperature for 1-2 days. Ideally, you want them covered or kept in the airtight container.

    You can also keep the frosted cupcakes in the fridge, for about 4-5 days, before they will go dry and hard.

    Unfrosted cupcakes can be stored in the freezer (wrapped) for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature for about 1-2 hours.

    Blackberry buttercream can also be frozen. Transfer it to a zip- lock bag or airtight container and freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge.

    overhead shot of cupcakes topped with pink blackberry buttercream and fresh rosemary

    As always, thanks for tuning in to today's post! Feel free to follow me on my social channels: Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

    Also, if you tried this, or any other of my recipes, I would love to hear from you! Leave me a comment and a rating below the recipe card, it always makes my day to hear from you guys!

    super close up of a cupcake topped with pink buttercream
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    4.63 from 16 votes

    Spiced apple and blackberry cupcakes

    These light and airy cupcakes are full of seasonal flavours and perfect for any occasion! Topped with super smooth blackberry buttercream in prettiest pink!
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time25 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: British
    Keyword: apple cupcakes, blackberry cupcakes, cupcakes
    Servings: 12 cupcakes
    Calories: 473kcal
    Author: Anna Wierzbinska

    Equipment

    • electric mixer
    • 12- hole cupcake/ muffin tray
    • paper cupcake cases
    • Piping bag
    • piping nozzle ( I used Wilton 8B)
    • Blender

    Ingredients

    For the cupcakes:

    • 210 g plain flour
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon cardamom
    • 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 125 g light brown sugar
    • 60 g caster sugar
    • 125 g unsalted butter softened
    • 160 g apple sauce see notes
    • 50 g Greek yogurt
    • 2 medium eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 12 small blackberries for decorating

    For blackberry buttercream:

    • 150 g blackberries
    • 200 g unsalted butter softened
    • 400 g icing sugar
    Metric - US Customary
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 170 C (160 C fan). Line 12- hole muffin tray with paper cases and set aside.
    • Sieve the flour, cinnamon, cardamom, baking powder and salt into a large bowl. Add both sugars and stir to combine. Add butter, apple sauce, yogurt, eggs and vanilla and mix until just combined, using an electric mixer.
    • Divide the batter between the cupcake cases, filling ¾ of each case with batter. (I use my ice-cream scoop for this step, to ensure the equal amount of batter in each case). Bake for 20-25 minutes until risen and golden brown, or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool the cupcakes completely.

    To make blackberry buttercream:

    • Place blackberries into a blender and blend for 20 seconds. Push the puree through a sieve, discarding the seeds. Set the juice aside.
    • In a bowl of an electric mixer, mix together butter and icing sugar until smooth. Add 2- 3 tablespoon of blackberry juice and mix until combined. Transfer the buttercream into a piping bag fitted with your favourite piping nozzle and pipe on top of cooled cupcakes. If buttercream becomes too soft, place it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. Top each cupcake with fresh blackberry. Enjoy!

    Please note that all my recipes are developed and tested in metric grams. I recommend that you use digital scales for a more accurate results. I have provided a conversion to US customary in the recipe but please note that I haven’t tested using this method.

    Video

    Notes

    • To make apple sauce, simply peel, core and chop 2 medium apples and place them in a small saucepan with 100 ml of water and 2 tablespoon of caster sugar. Cover with lid and cook on a medium heat for 8-10 minutes, or until apples are completely tender and cook through. 
    • Make sure butter is at room temperature. Not too cold, but not too soft either. I recommend taking it out of the fridge about 1 hour before baking. To test your butter, poke it with your finger. It should make an indent without sinking into the butter. Your butter should not be shiny or greasy, and it should be cool to touch.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 473kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 129mg | Potassium: 86mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 50g | Vitamin A: 747IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this?Tell me how you like it? Leave a comment or take a picture and tag @anna_wierzbinska on Instagram. I love seeing your take on my recipes!

    If you would like to get my recipes straight to your inbox, make sure to sign up to my weekly newsletter!

    More Cakes Recipes

    • Guinness Chocolate Cake
    • Coffee and Walnut Cake
    • Orange and Cranberry Bundt Cake
    • Orange and Cranberry Loaf

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kari Alana

      October 05, 2020 at 6:36 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is going to be in high circulation for my baking projects for the season for sure!

      Reply
      • Anna

        October 08, 2020 at 10:01 am

        Thanks Kari, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do!

        Reply
    2. Ramona

      October 05, 2020 at 1:59 pm

      5 stars
      An easy 5 star rating for these beautiful and delicious cupcakes. A trully yummy recipe - I wish mine looked as pretty as these but to be honest I probably wouldn't have managed anyway as more than half dissapeared before even taking the decorating tools out. Will make again to get to use the icing , haha.

      Reply
      • Anna

        October 08, 2020 at 10:01 am

        Hey Ramona! Thank you SO MUCH! What a lovely, positive review, I really appreciate you taking time to write it!

        Reply
    3. Tammy

      October 04, 2020 at 6:51 pm

      5 stars
      Your photos are absolutely gorgeous!! Spiced apple and blackberry is such a romantic combination! I wish I could try one of these cupcakes right now. Stunning post!

      Reply
      • Anna

        October 08, 2020 at 9:57 am

        Hey Tammy, thanks so much for stopping by and your comment. So happy that you like the photos and this recipe!

        Reply
    4. Kushigalu

      October 03, 2020 at 2:54 am

      5 stars
      Gorgeous cupcakes with amazing flavor combination. I would love to bake this soon for my family. YUM!

      Reply
      • Anna

        October 08, 2020 at 9:56 am

        Thank you, I hope you will try baking them soon!

        Reply
    5. Veronika Sykorova

      October 01, 2020 at 9:30 pm

      These are so beautiful! I'll always choose cupcakes over muffins. Especially for dessert! They're just much fancier and tasty.

      Reply
      • Anna

        October 08, 2020 at 9:55 am

        Thanks Veronika, I'm with you on this one, cupcakes are much fancier and more delicious!

        Reply
    6. Bernice Hill

      September 30, 2020 at 6:48 pm

      5 stars
      You had me at cupcake. and buttercream! Thank you for all the great buttercream tips, I need help in that department.
      That said, I'd be absolutely thrilled to gobble one of these down.

      Reply
    7. Kathryn Donangelo

      September 30, 2020 at 4:35 pm

      5 stars

      5 stars
      Not only are these cupcakes gorgeous, they are so delicious and moist! The flavor combo was such a hit! Thank you

      Reply
      • annabanana

        September 30, 2020 at 7:27 pm

        Pleasure all mine Kathryn! So happy that you've enjoyed them! And that combo of apples and blackberries is my current favourite!

        Reply
    8. Amanda

      September 29, 2020 at 3:21 pm

      5 stars
      These cupcakes turned out so good! The apple and blackberry paired together so nicely, and the color of the buttercream was so beautiful.

      Reply
      • annabanana

        September 30, 2020 at 7:26 pm

        I'm so happy to hear that Amanda! Thanks so much for trying this recipe and leaving your lovely feedback!

        Reply
      • Nicoletta

        October 05, 2020 at 1:46 am

        5 stars
        These sliced apple and blackberry cupcakes are stunning and the flavors are perfect together. I would eat that buttercream with a spoon! 😋

        Reply
        • Anna

          October 08, 2020 at 9:59 am

          Thanks Nicoletta! That buttercream is truly something special, and eating it by spoonfull is easily done!

          Reply
    9. Elaine

      September 28, 2020 at 6:01 pm

      5 stars
      One of the cutest cupcakes I have seen this year. I can imagine how much joy they can bring once they end up on the kitchen table lol

      Reply
      • Anna

        September 29, 2020 at 10:16 am

        Thank you Elaine! So glad you like these cupcakes, they definitely would make a great centerpiece at any table! 🙂

        Reply
    10. Kate Newman

      September 23, 2020 at 6:26 pm

      5 stars
      This sponge is absolutely delicious! And the buttercream is such a beautiful colour. My kids loved them as well so a great way to sneak in some of their 5 a day! They won’t eat blackberries, but this they loved!

      Reply
      • Anna

        September 24, 2020 at 1:06 pm

        Thanks so much for taking time to leave this review Kate, really appreciate it! And you've done such great job with these cupcakes, I loved seeing them on Instagram! Even better that they're kids approved too! 😉

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Anna Wierzbinska Portrait

    Welcome to Anna Banana! I'm Anna, the face and the voice behind this blog. I'm here mainly to satisfy your sweet cravings. This is where you will find recipes for delicious bakes, irresistible treats and desserts. Occasionally, something savoury too.

    More about me and my journey →

    Chocolate Corner

    • Chocolate Crepe Cake
    • Small Batch Chocolate Cupcakes
    • Devil's Food Cheesecake
    • Chocolate chip cookies

    Featured On:

    Trending Recipes

    • Easy Apple Cake
    • French Cruller Doughnuts
    • Chocolate Crepe Cake
    • Small batch lemon drizzle cake

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Anna
    • Services
    • Portfolio

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Information

    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • Accessibility

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Anna Banana