Cheese Cupcakes with a moist crumb and crisp cheese topping will surely be a family favorite. Perfect for breakfast or as a midday snack!
On a visit to the Philippines a few years ago, I went to our local bakery to buy some coconut macaroons and cheese cupcakes, only to be disappointed. They had packs and packs of the macaroons, but none of the latter.
These cupcakes were all the craze when I was in high school and my favorite snack to bring for school recess, so I was pretty bummed out to find out they were no longer available. Lamenting this fact to my officemate when she inquired about my trip, she said her friend had a recipe and she'd give it to me.
I am glad she did because the cupcakes I made were fantastic. They were moist and buttery, and with a delicious crown of cheese, I quickly polished off two or three as soon as I took them out of the oven.
I couldn't get enough of the sweet and salty medley of flavors. Every bite sure brought back many delicious childhood memories.
If you're in a baking mood, you can also try these calamansi crumb muffins, which are loaded with citrus taste! Satisfy your sweet cravings with chocolate cupcakes with mocha buttercream frosting!
Ingredient notes
- Flour- the recipe uses all-purpose flour
- Butter- adds rich flavor and tender texture. If substituting salted butter, omit salt.
- Eggs- give structure and help with leavening. Use room-temperature eggs for best results.
- Condensed milk- adds sweetness and creaminess.
- Baking powder- acts as a leavening agent.
- Cheese- I use Eden brand in the batter, but any quick-melt variety should work. I like the intense flavor of sharp cheddar for the topping but feel free to substitute it with Monterey Jack, Edam, or Gouda. Do NOT use mozzarella, as it gets too stringy.
- Sugar- use white granulated sugar. It adds depth of color and flavor and keeps the baked goods soft and moist.
- Salt- balances the overall flavor; providing contrast to the sweetness.
- Vanilla extract- optional. Add ยฝ teaspoon of vanilla or orange extract to the batter for another layer of flavor.
Cheese Cupcakes Step-by-step process
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl until well dispersed.
- In a medium bowl, combine eggs, butter, and sugar. Beat with an electric mixer.
- Beginning and ending with flour mixture, add flour mixture in thirds and ยฝ of sweetened condensed milk in between (โ flour mixture, ยฝ condensed milk, โ flour mixture, ยฝ condensed milk, and โ flour mixture) to egg mixture. Beat at low speed with every addition.
- Add quick-melt cheese and fold in to combine.
- Line the muffin pan with cupcake liners and fill each muffin hole up to ยพ full using a scoop. Top with cheddar cheese.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350 F or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean and the top is golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
Baking tips
- If the quick-melt cheese is too soft and hard to shred, pop in the freezer for 2 to 3 minutes to firm up a little.
- An essential step in this recipe is combining the dry ingredients and condensed milk with the egg mixture. Make sure to add the flour in thirds and the condensed milk in half, beginning and ending with the flour and beating well after each addition.
- Use an ice cream scoop for consistent sizes and even baking.
- Remove the cupcakes from the muffin pan after a minute and cool completely on a wire rack so they don't continue to bake in the pan's residual heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are cheese cupcake calories?
Calories may vary depending on the ingredients used. The estimated calorie per serving for this recipe is 213 KCAL.
How to serve and store
- Cheese cupcakes are delicious for breakfast or as a midday snack with your morning coffee or afternoon tea. They also make a great addition to the kids' packed lunches.
- Properly stored in an airtight container, the cupcakes will keep moist at room temperature for up to a week. Cool completely before transferring them to the containers, as the condensation might create sticky cupcake tops.
- Freeze cupcakes to keep longer. Wrap individually in plastic film, store in resealable bags, and freeze for up to 3 months.
More baked goods favorites
Ingredients
- 1 ยพ cups flour, sifted
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ยผ teaspoon salt
- ยฝ cup butter, softened
- ยฝ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- ยฝ cup quick-melt cheese, shredded
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Equipment
- 12-hole muffin pan
- electric mixer
- muffin liners
Instructions
- Line the muffin pan with cupcake liners. Preheat oven to 350 F.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, beat butter, sugar, and eggs with an electric mixer until combined.
- Beginning and ending with flour mixture, add flour mixture in thirds and ยฝ of sweetened condensed milk in between (โ flour mixture, ยฝ condensed milk, โ flour mixture, ยฝ condensed milk and โ flour mixture) to egg mixture. Beat at low speed with every addition.
- Add quick-melt cheese and stir to combine.
- Using a scoop or spoon, fill each muffin hole up to ยพ full. Top with cheddar cheese.
- Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean and top is golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
Notes
- If the quick-melt cheese is too soft and hard to shred, pop in the freezer for 2 to 3 minutes to firm up a little.
- An essential step in this recipe is combining the dry ingredients and condensed milk with the egg mixture. Make sure to add the flour in thirds and the condensed milk in half, beginning and ending with the flour and beating well after each addition.
- Use an ice cream scoop for consistent sizes and even baking.
- Remove the cupcakes from the muffin pan after a minute and cool completely on a wire rack so they don't continue to bake in the pan's residual heat.
Video
Nutrition Information
โThis website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.โ
Cherry says
Hi, have tried ur recipe and it was a big success, masarap, matamis pero talaga bang parang siksik sya? ๐
Lalaine says
Hello Cherry
Yes, very dense talaga siya ๐
Cheryl says
Hi, i love these cheese cupcake and i have been searching for the best recipe online. There is a store in nj selling these and i noticed that the ingredients they used included both butter and margarine, and also had powdered milk. Do you have another recipe maybe with these ingredients incorporated? Thanks and hope to hear from you soon
Lalaine says
Hello Cheryl
I apologize but I am not familiar and do not have a recipe for cheese cupcakes using powdered milk but I'll certainly be on the lookout for it and will email you, if I find one. Thanks.
Nhez says
Hi there, im a big fun of cheese cupcakes since I was a little girl. I have one question regarding your recipe. When do you mix beat butter, sugar and eggs to the mixture? I used to bake back when I was in high school and I haven't baked in a long time. I wanted to start doing something that can make me relax.... I'll wait for your respond, I want to try this soon... Thank you....
Lalaine says
Hello Nhez
You add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter/sugar mixture, then 1/2 of the condensed milk, then another 1/3 of the flour mixture, then the remaining 1/2 of the milk and lastly, the remaining 1/3 of the flour. You need to beat after each addition.
Hope this helps. Enjoy!
Cindysnee says
Hello! These cupcakes looks really nice and i would like to have a try. May I know how big is a cup u used? I mean the exact amount needed for the ingredients. Thanksss;)
Lalaine says
Hi Cindy
1 cup is 8 ounces. These are really good, hope you give them a try ๐
Cindysnee says
Thanks for the info:) After i have tried let u know the results:)
Lalaine says
๐
Shirley says
Thanks for this recipe. I have made a minor change- used 1/4 cup of sugar instead but turned out so soft & fluffy. God bless..
Lalaine says
Hello Shirley
You're welcome ๐
Aileen says
I've tried it and it went perfect! Tnx for the recipe! T'was indeed a great help!
Noemi Cayetano says
I loved cheese cupcakes... i'll try your recipe this weekend. Thanks for sharing.
Sheryl says
I already tried this recipe and is a big hit to my family and their friends as well.. Very easy to cook and so yummy ๐
Lalaine says
Thank you, Sheryl, for taking the time to leave a feedback. I am glad your family enjoyed the cupcakes.
rihannie says
Hi! I only have mini oven and the maximum temperature is 250F. Can I use this temperature instead? Im a newbie in baking, thanks! Nice site btw ๐
Lalaine says
Hi Rihannie
I am not sure if 250 F for will be ok for these cupcakes. It might affect the density of the cupcakes or worst, undercook them. I might be wrong but I wouldn't recommend doing them at this low of a temperature. Thank you so much for your kind words. Hope this helps.
elsa laquindanum says
hi rihannie, maybe the temp of ur small oven is 250C not F, becoz mine too is small and its C not F, my one dollar thot
Narcisso Belmonte says
Hi, would like to try my hands at baking to impress the sweetheart. What type of flour should I be using for this recipe? Thanks.
Lalaine says
Hello Narciso
All-purpose flour ๐
Arlene navarro says
Good morning ms. Lalaine
Will you send me the exact measurement of your ingridient i want to try this awesome cupcake
Lalaine Manalo says
Hi Arlene. The exact measurements are in the recipe under "Ingredients."
triza says
can i use cream cheese instead of quickmelt?
Lalaine says
Hello Triza
I am sorry but I've never used cream cheese for this. Please let me know how it works out.
elsa laquindanum says
hi, i am diabetic but i love dis recipe, what can be substitute to condensed milk?
Lalaine says
Hi, Elsa
I apologize but I've never tried baking this other than with condensed milk. However, I found a recipe online for possible sugar-free replacement to condensed milk :
1/2 cup cold water
1 1/3 cups powdered milk
3/4 cup Splenda granular (or sugar substitute of choice)
Directions:
Stir milk powder into cold water until dissolved.
Microwave 1 minute or until steaming. Stir in sugar.
Cover and chill in the refrigerator.
I cannot guarantee exact results but it's worth a try. Good luck.
elsa laquindanum says
tnx a lot, will try it and inform u the result tnx
Lalaine says
Thank you ๐
elsa laquindanum says
d smell is d same, d texture a little bit different but if ur not meticulous u wouldnt know, d taste d same except it less sweet of course... thank you
Ember says
OMG! After searching and baking a lot of cheese cupcakes, this recipe is absolutely the one I've been looking for! Thanks Lalaine!
Lalaine says
Thanks for the feedback ๐
Dina says
i haven't heard of quick-melt cheese either. these are different but anything cheesy sounds good!
Lalaine says
Hi Dina,
Velveeta ๐
Nica Briones says
Me eden cheese din na quickmelt
Lalaine says
Yes, Eden brand will be good for this recipe. Thanks, Nica.
doc says
what is "quickmelt cheese"?
Lalaine says
Velveeta is a quick melt cheese
Maricel says
Thanks for sharing ur good recipes...i work here in KSA and now its my part time to sell this cupcake and its absolutelly a big help for me ?
Thank you god bless!!
Lalaine says
Maricel, you made my day! It's so nice to know the cupcakes are bringing you additional income. Good luck with your business ๐
Maricel says
Hi lalaine can i ask u favor...can u share with me a recipe of icing that i can fill in my cupcake thank you!god bless you
Maricel says
Good day!ms.lalaine yes hopefully i can make it ?...i just want to ask if u can give me a nice icing recipe for my cupcake ? i really apreciate it tnx!...god bless you!!!
mitch says
miss lalaine, i have tried your recipe and it is very delicious po.. pag nagbenta po ako magkano kaya ang isa nito in Philippine peso po?
Lalaine says
Hello Mitch
I am glad you enjoyed the cupcakes. Pasensya na, hindi kasi ako familiar sa prices sa Philippines so I can't tell you how much to sell them. If you send me yung mga presyo nang mga ingredients, I can cost the recipe out for you.