Start with perfect easy homemade vanilla cupcakes and bake some apple pie filling in the center. A ring of creamy vanilla buttercream holds more apples on top. These cupcakes are the perfect cakey version of apple pie a la mode. Make a batch to see for yourself!
Preheat oven to 350° F and line two cupcake trays with paper liners. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat butter until smooth and fluffy. Add oil and sugar and mix until completely combined.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition, then the vanilla extract. Set aside.
In a medium-sized bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
Gently fold half of the flour mixture into the butter mixture, then the milk, then the remaining flour mixture.
Portion 1 scoop (approximately 1 to 1 1/2 Tablespoons) of batter into each cupcake liner and bake for 5 minutes.
Remove the cupcakes from the oven and place 1 Tablespoon of apple pie filling in the center of the cupcake. Cover the cupcakes with remaining cupcake batter (approximately 1 1/2 Tablespoons each).
Bake for 12-15 more minutes, until the cupcakes are completely set. The cake should spring back when lightly touched with a finger.
When the cupcakes are completely cooled, prepare your vanilla cinnamon frosting.
In a large bowl, beat together the butter until completely smooth. Add 2 cups of powdered sugar and beat for 1-2 more minutes.
Add 2 Tablespoons of milk, the cinnamon and vanilla and beat well to incorporate. Add additional powdered sugar. Whip until fluffy. Add more milk or powdered sugar as needed to get your preferred piping consistency.
Scoop the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
Swirl a circle of the frosting onto the top of each cooled cupcake. Spoon a teaspoon or two of apple pie filling into the center of the frosting.
Notes
If you really like pie filling, you may want to have a second can on hand so you can put extra on top.Use a neutral flavored cooking oil like vegetable, canola or avocado oil.Feel free to use vanilla extract in place of the vanilla bean paste in the buttercream.