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
Mm says
Is that one and 3/4 cups for flour? Or just one to 3/4 cups? Thank you!
Lalaine says
1 and 3/4 cup ๐
Angel says
Hi! I baked cheese cupcakes following your recipe. It turned out like a muffin and the taste is very sweet, it is not dense and has many holes inside. I followed exactly the measurements and procedure of baking but it did not turned as i expect. I am expecting like a lemon square cheese cup cake. Please advise. Thanks.
Imee says
Hi, for the flour - do you measure first then sift OR sift first then measure? Thanks.
Lalaine says
I measure then sift ๐
arlyn azarcon says
hello i tried your recipe yesterday and it turn out so yummy cup cakes.to think that I am a firs timer:) thank you for sharing your recipe. can i ask any you chocolate brownies recipe?
Lalaine says
I am glad you enjoyed the cupcakes ๐ Here is a simple recipe I have for brownies http://www.onionringsandthings.com/2014/05/one-bowl-brownies/
Happy baking!
may says
made these today (again). they're so good. everyone in the house loves it. although hindi sya masyadong dense or siksik na medyo makunat, masarap sya. winner!
salamat ulit madam. hwag mapagod sa pag upload hehe.
meron ka bang youtube videos?
ur neighbor,
may
Lalaine says
Thank you so much, May. No Youtube videos yet. Maybe soon ๐
I hope we can meet up soon since we live so close to each other.
Joanna says
Hi Ms Lalaine, I've have tried your cheese cupcake recipe so many times and just this year I started to be health conscious and counting all the calories to my food intake. Can you help me find out what is the calorie per cupcake in this recipe? Thanks and more power to you! ๐
liezl says
for the butter melted, room temp or softened??
Lalaine says
Softened ๐ Thanks, I corrected the recipe.
quandra says
hi po ask ko lang kung ano po ang temperature ng butter used sa recipe?
room temp? melted? softened? chilled?
thanks
herly says
Hi ma'am I've tried your cheese cup cake.. Sadya po bang parang mamon ang tinapay nya? Ineexpect kopo kasi yung parang maligat.. I just want to know po kung tama yung ginawa ko.. ang gamit kopo kasi ay convection oven, sa mga cakes po ba dapat po bang gumagana yung upper and lower wire or yung itaas lang. Baguhan palang po ako sa baking.
And I just want to share po na napasobra lagay ng cheese ko sa ibabaw. Ayun po nognog ng kaunti ang cheese cupcakes ko.
Thanks maam for sharing the recipe..
Rosanna Diaz says
Hi Laine,
Thank you for this wonderful recipe. My mom and son loves the cheese cupcakes. I mean, every other day I bake new batches. Ganun sila kaadik. The cupcake itself is not so fine like the Lemon Square cheesecake. However, I a thinking it's because of the flour I bought. Even my brownies are not that fine with it. Lesson learned, stick to the good brands.
Please post more bake goods when you cake. Dito ako lagi nagchecheck ng recipe.
Wishing you more blessings and good health this coming New Year. Happy Holidays.
Lalaine says
Salamat, Rosanna. I am working on a few baked goods, stay tuned ๐ A blessed New year to you and your family!
regina says
is it 1 and 3/4 cups of flour po ba or 1 to 3/4? Thanks
Lalaine says
Hello Regina
It's 1 and 3/4 cup ๐
Sarah says
Hello. I will be.trying your recipe tonight but the problem.is we don't have cheddar cheese available in our province. Is it okay to use the original eden cheese? Thank you
Lalaine says
Yes, Eden cheese is fine ๐
Sarah says
Thank you for your reply. I just tried the recipe, i used the eden cheese, the outcome was great. Its very soft and yummy. I will double the ingredients next time i bake.
Hunny says
Whag is thw temperature of the used in this recipe?
Lalaine says
Hi Hunny
It's 350 F in the oven for about 20 to 25 minutes ๐
Debbie says
It's way too sweet. The condensed milk overpowers the taste. So I reduced the condensed milk to 1/2 can only and added an extra 1/2 cup cheese.
Julia says
Hello, I was looking for some recipe same with the 'Lemon Square Cheesecake' and saw this. I would like to ask if I use cake flour, would there be any adjustment in its measure? Hope for your response ๐
Lalaine says
Hi Julia
I've never tried cake flour in this cupcake recipe so I can't really give you very accurate measurements. As I understand, cake flour has lower protein content than the all-purpose flour I used which might cause a change in the consistency (softer) of the cupcakes.
Julia says
Thanks ๐ ! If I'll bake it successfully I'll let you know po ๐ and if it happen, I'll try using cream cheese next ๐ I'm a beginner po and because of being a newbie I always ask a lot of questions ๐
Myra says
Hi๐ What kind of butter. Salted or Unsalted?. Or what kind of butter you used for this one
Lalaine Manalo says
I use unsalted butter ๐