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
Sylvia Vargas says
Hi Lalaine,
I always see quick-melting cheese on some Filipino baking recipes, and I have no idea what to get. Do you have any suggestion? I live in Southern California. Thank you very much.
Lalaine says
Hi Slyvia
I use Velveeta. Eden cheese from the Philippines are available at Seafood City supermarkets but are so expensive.
Acel says
Hi Lalaine,
About the butter, is it softened or melted? I love baking and i beleive softened or melted butter make a difference.
Lalaine says
Hi Acel
Softened ๐
Acel says
Thanks Lalaine for your quick reply. I will be doing this tonight and i can feel that it will be a blockbuster hit! Oooppss..quick question..do i need to pre-heat the oven?
Lalaine says
Yes, the oven is pre-heated to 350 F.
Elenor says
Thanks, I was supposed to ask the same question
edelweiza says
Hi Lalaine, you know what, I baked this yesterday and it was a hit with my family! I didn't put quick melt cheese, though, just grated cheese in the batter and cheese slices as toppings. The top of the cupcakes was golden brown and the cheese slices were toasted just like in your photo, super yummy! ๐
Lalaine says
I am glad you liked them ๐
joyce says
Hi Lalaine,
Just to confirm, the recipe calls for 1 and 3/4 cups flour?
Thanks!
Lalaine says
Hi Joyce
Yes, 1 and 3/4 cups flour ๐
joyce says
Thanks! Looking to making them soon!
Gina says
Hi ms lalaine. The first time i made dis, i got burned tops. D 2nd time, i got sunken center(coz i added more toppings, hehe), but crispy tops. I'll try and try till mine will have nice domed tops, like yours. I used 1 &1/2 cup eden cheddar cheese on my 2nd try and it still turned out delicious! Quite dense but moist and soft even after a day. My family loved it, specially my dad, who's very maselan with foods. Thank u for such a delicious recipe. This is better than Lemon square's cheesecake, i swear! Gotta try the macaroons next.
Kathy says
hi, what particular brand of cheddar cheese did you use for this recipe? thanks
Lalaine says
Hi kathy
I used Kraft but any brand will do.
Kathy says
hi i made these today, i must say, it's really good... but i wonder why i didn't get that golden top finish, the cheddar cheese just melt on top but didn't brown... i completed the 25 minutes baking time but nothing happen on the top... the cheese just melt... anyway... the taste is really good, im just curious what happened on the top.. since golden top looks better in photos than just melted cheese ๐ hihi
Lalaine says
Hello Kathy
You might want to transfer them to the highest oven rack during the last few minutes to help with the browning. Hope this helps ๐
julie says
Hi Lalaine,thanks for all your delicious recipes.I'm from Paniqui Tarlac and cheese cupcake is my favorite.Thanks for having it in your recipe.I love all your recipe.Cindy's was favorite place when i'm in the PI.How do i join the giveaways?
Lalaine says
Hello Julie
Kumusta, Kabalen?
I do giveaways once a month and the June one just concluded a few days ago. I will be posting one in a few days. Stay tune ๐
Jay says
hi, how to make it not to stick with the paper liner?
Lalaine says
Hello Jay
You can try spraying the inside of liners with nonstick cooking spray. ๐
Claire says
I just want to thank you for sharing this recipe. I've tried your macaroons and cheese cupcakes, and they are both super yummy! Just like the ones from the philippines.
Lalaine says
Hello Claire
Aren't they delicious? The coconut macaroons are my favorite and I can't believe how easy they are to make. Thank you for your lovely comment. ๐
shao says
hello! thank you for this wonderful recipe. i tried it yesterday and family loved it. pinaulit pa ako magbake kasi nabitin sila. thank you for sharing for sharing this. this is exactly what i've bee searching for ๐
Lalaine says
It's always nice to keep the family happy ๐
Mother O says
Super yummy pinoy cheese cupcakes! Exactly what i was looking for.. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Lalaine says
You're welcome ๐
juanito says
Hi! Laaine thank u for this good recipe of cheese cupcakes .. i cant find melt cheeze i use the craft cream cheeze ..and the taste is really good .. thanks more power for u and godbless u...good for Ramadan...
Lalaine says
I've never used cream cheese but sounds delicious ๐
Thanks, Juanito
Ann Payumo says
Hi Lalaine! Can I use cake flour for this recipe? Thanks
Lalaine says
Hi Ann
I am sorry but I've never tried cake flour in this recipe so I can't really guarantee results. Cake flour has a bit of cornstarch so the cupcake might come out a little softer in texture. If you do try it, please let me know how it turned out.
Janine Sape says
Tnx for this very yummy recipe...
Lalaine says
You're very welcome, Janine. I am glad you liked it ๐
Benj says
This Pinoy cheese cupcake recipe was SPOT ON. I just finished baking it and I couldn't stop eating. I planned to give this as a house warming present for a friend (she misses these cheese cupcakes from back home) and I ended baking another batch after there was a measly few that was left. I was so glad the ingredients were typically found in my pantry. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Lalaine says
Never hurts to have a few of these cupcakes lying around ๐