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
Tin says
Hi kabalen!Ask ko.lang if the butter is softened,room temp or melted in your recipe?thanks so.much!?
Ketchup Girl says
Hi Lalaine!
I tried your Cheese Cupcake recipe and it's freaking amazing! The cheese cupcakes turned out so delicious. The sweet-salty combination of flavors made it so hard to stop eating. ๐
However, my cupcakes didn't have that golden-brown, dried-up molten cheese look. I thought I already put a lot of cheese on top but I guess I didn't. Next time, I will put more. But I'm also wondering if the size of cupcakes matter? Are you using the 2oz paper cup or 3oz? I used the 3oz for mine and I yielded 14 fat cupcakes.
Hope to hear from you soon! This recipe rocks!!!
Jane says
Hi! This cupcake looks so good! I use to eat this a lot as well growing up. I'm thankful you posted this recipe. I'm also here in the states now and would like to know what brand of cheese do you use for both cheddar and quick melt cheese? Thank you!
Lalaine says
Hi Jane
I used Velveeta and KRAFT shredded cheddar cheese ๐
Jane says
Thanks so much! ๐
Lalaine says
You're welcome ๐
Cookaye says
Hi! I tried this today and it was yummy! Although I didn't know at which point should I mix the egg/sugar/butter mixture. I put it alternating with the flour, condensed milk then egg/sugar/butter mixture. Is that right?
Thanks!
Lalaine says
Hello Cooksye
You add the flour and the condensed milk TO the egg/butter/sugar mixture, alternating them. First add flour, then condensed milk, flour, condensed milk and then flour. You are adding these to the egg/butter/sugar mixture.
Hope this helps:)
Rose says
Hi Lalaine. Loved your recipe. Couple of questions. How can i make my cupcakes rise like yours? Also, mine were greasy. What do you think might be the problem? Thanks!
Lalaine says
Hello Rose
I am not sure what could be causing the grease. Do you think it's the kind of cheese? If they are too greasy, it might be the reason they're coming out flat.
Lalaine says
Do you mind emailing me the ingredients you used. I'd like to try troubleshooting it with you.
Rose says
I used the Eden brand melt sarap kind. Whats your email ad? Thank you so much.
Mae says
Hi....your cupcake is really good!!! Just a question... do i need to refrigerate it after baking??? Or can i store it just at the box? Say 1 or 2 days??
Lalaine says
If it's just a day or two, I usually just leave them out but longer than that, I keep them in the fridge. When I want to snack, I just zap a piece or two in the microwave for a few seconds to freshen them up.
Mae says
Thanks for the immediate reponse!.. how about butter, do you use real butter? is magnolia butterfresh good?
Mae says
im sorry it's magnolia butter-licious not butterfresh.
Lalaine says
Hi Mae
I apologize, I am not familiar with Magnolia Butterlicious. I dont think I've seen it in U.S. markets. Is it butter flavored margarine? I use real butter for this recipe and in most of my baking.
Janis says
Hi Lalaine thank you for sharing this recipe! I'm going to try baking this soon but I just want to know how the flour is measured? Do you sift first then measure or measure first then sift? Thanks again and more power!
Jona says
Hi Ms. Lalaine! Thank you for this recipe. I tried it last Saturday and the cupcakes turned out so yummy. I had only a small can of condensed milk (300ml) so I added a half cup fresh milk. More power!
Lalaine says
Hello Jona
I am glad you enjoyed the cupcakes. Thanks for the feedback ๐
Kris says
WOW this recipe is amazing! i baked this last night and there's nothing left for the morning!
Lalaine says
Aren't they amazing? I can eat half a dozen of these cheese cupcakes in one sitting! With morning coffee, with afternoon Diet Coke, yum, yum ๐
michaela says
Hi Ms. Lalaine I want to try your recipe because cheese cupcake is one of
my favorite, can i ask if the 2 eggs (yoks & white), god bless
michaela says
Hi Ms Lalaine looks yummy favorite ko bsta may cheese, try ko gawin this sunday, ask ko lng po anong size ng moulder nyo kc beginner p lng po me na mg bake
Lalaine says
I used the the regular-sized muffin pan, I think the cavity is about 1/4 cup size. Happy baking!
christine says
Hi ms. Lalaine can i put cream cheese spread instead of the quick melt? Thanks. Will try this recipe soon.
Lynnette says
Hi, Miss Lalaine. Tagasaan po kayo sa Pilipinas?
Lalaine says
Hi Lynette
I am from Tarlac, Kapampangan ๐
jary says
Hi Ms. Lalaine,
I tried this! and they were lovely! Heavenly! Thank you for sharing this recipe! ๐
Lalaine says
Thanks for the feedback, Jary. I am glad you enjoyed them ๐
Marianne says
hi lalaine,
Thanks for the recipe. I would like to try this, however Please specify in ur recipe which flour u r using, either all purpose, cake, wheat, etc. it wl really help. Thanks
Lalaine says
Hi Marianne
I used all-purpose flour ๐
Via says
Hi Ms. Lalaine, we tried baking this today. It tastes really good, so soft, and fluffy. (We love it). However, while baking it the batter keeps on flowing.