If you’re looking for the perfect bake to capture all the cosy flavours of autumn, these Apple and Pecan Cupcakes with a swirl of cinnamon cream cheese icing are a must-try. Soft, moist, and filled with warm spices, every bite tastes like comfort.

Think fluffy apple sponge, nutty pecan crunch, and a tangy cream cheese frosting that’s delicately spiced with cinnamon – they’re sweet, slightly nutty, and completely irresistible. Whether you’re baking for a weekend treat, a gathering, or even Thanksgiving, this autumn cupcake recipe is sure to impress.

Why You’ll Love These Apple Pecan Cupcakes

Moist and fluffy thanks to grated apple.
Nutty crunch from pecans in every bite.
Warm spices for that cosy autumn feel.
Cream cheese frosting – tangy, sweet, and perfectly spiced.

Tips for the Best Cupcakes

Use crisp apples like Granny Smith or Braeburn – they add tartness and keep the sponge moist.
Toast your pecans before adding them for deeper flavour.
Chill the frosting for 15 minutes if it feels too soft to pipe.
Don’t overmix once you add the flour – this keeps the cupcakes light.

Serving Ideas

These cupcakes are delicious as they are, but for a festive touch, drizzle over a little caramel sauce or decorate with tiny apple slices. They also pair beautifully with a cup of coffee or spiced chai.

Final Thoughts

These Apple and Pecan Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing are everything you want in an autumn bake – moist, spiced, and just a little indulgent. They’re perfect for cosy weekends, bake sales, or seasonal gatherings, and will quickly become a family favourite.

Apple and Pecan Cupcakes

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword apple cupcakes, autumn cupcakes, autumn treats, easy cupcakes, quick recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 25

Total Time 55

Servings 12 cupcakes

Equipment

12 hole muffin tray

Ingredients

Cupcakes

2 eggs
100 g milk
150 g oil (vegetable or sunflower)
150 g apples (grated)
70 g roughly chopped pecans (plus 12 whole for decorating)
230 g self-raising flour
150 g white granulated sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
pinch of salt

Icing

250 g cream cheese
100 g butter (room temperature)
3 tbsp icing sugar
2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

Pre-heat your oven to 170ºC/340ºF and line up your muffin tray with cup cake liners.
Whisk the eggs in a mixing bowl, add milk, oil, sugar and whisk until everything is fully combined. Mix in grated apples and chopped pecans. Sift in flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk until all ingredients come together.
Take your muffin tray and spread the cupcake batter evenly into the cupcake liners. Bake in pre-heated oven for about 20-25 mins. To check if they're ready, insert skewer into the cupcake, if it comes out clean, take your cupcakes out of the oven. Transfer them on wire rack and let cool completely.
In the meantime, prepare your icing. Add butter into mixing bowl and whip with mixer until butter is fluffy and pale in colour. Add cream cheese, sugar, cinnamon and whip until everything combined into smooth icing. Once your cupcakes cooled completely, pipe the icing on the top and decorate with whole pecan.