Cheese Cupcakes with a moist crumb and crisp cheese topping are sure to be a family favorite. Perfect for breakfast or as a midday snack!
When I went home to the Philippines last May, I went to Cindy’s Bakery to buy a dozen or so of their cheese cupcakes and only to be disappointed. They 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’ve been taken off the menu a while back.
Lamenting this fact to my officemate when she inquired about my trip, she said a friend of hers regularly brings this type of cupcakes to potlucks, and she’d ask her for the recipe to give to me.
And I am glad she did because I made the cupcakes today and they turned out amazing. They were moist, buttery, and with a delicious crown of cheese; I quickly polished off two 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.
Step-by-step process
- For easy removal, line the muffin pan with cupcake liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until well-dispersed.
- In a medium bowl, beat butter, sugar, and eggs with an electric mixer.
- Beginning and ending with flour mixture, add flour mixture in thirds and 1/2 of sweetened condensed milk in between (1/3 flour mixture, 1/2 condensed milk, 1/3 flour mixture, 1/2 condensed milk, and 1/3 flour mixture) to egg mixture. Beat at low speed with every addition.
- Add quick-melt cheese and fold in to combine.
- Using a scoop, fill each muffin hole up to 3/4 full. Top with cheddar cheese.
- Bake in a 350 F oven 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.
Baking tips
- I use Velveeta in the batter but Eden or other quick-melt cheese would work as well. If the cheese is too soft and hard to shred, pop in the freezer for 2 to 3 minutes just to firm up a little.
- I like the intense flavor of sharp cheddar for the topping but feel to substitute Monterey Jack, Edam, or gouda. Do NOT use mozzarella as it gets too stringy.
- For another layer of flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or orange extract to the batter.
- An important step in this recipe is combining the dry ingredients and condensed milk to 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 or two and cool completely on a wire rack as they will continue to bake in the residual heat of the pan.
How to serve
- 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.
- Stored properly in an airtight container, the cupcakes will keep moist at room temperature for up to a week. Make sure to cool completely before transferring in the containers as the condensation might create sticky cupcake tops.
- To freeze, wrap cupcakes individually in plastic film and keep in resealable bags. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Looking for more baked recipes? Try these mini coconut macaroons that are easy to make and so fun to eat or these calamansi crumb muffins loaded with citrus taste! Satisfy your sweet cravings with chocolate cupcakes with mocha buttercream frosting!
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups flour, sifted
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup quick-melt cheese, shredded
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Line muffin pan with cupcake liners.
- 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 1/2 of sweetened condensed milk in between (1/3 flour mixture, 1/2 condensed milk, 1/3 flour mixture, 1/2 condensed milk and 1/3 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 3/4 full. Top with cheddar cheese.
- Bake in a 350 F oven 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.
Video
Nutrition Information
“This 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.”
Lelanie says
I am using your recipe a few times now and it’s alylways a hit, but
I haven’t get a chance to write a review. So it’s about time 🙂 I gave this recipe 5 star. Thank you for sharing this.
All the best,
Lelanie Manalo
lily says
So delicious but i lessened the amount of sugar🙂
Raykem salinay salot says
Tea time best… thank you for the ideas and motivation to bring out the best of being a food lover…
Pete says
Im from the UK never heard of this before must say found this by accident while looking for another recipe and thought Cheese???? cupcake???? its going to be good or really bad idea.So i gave it a try and must say it works now making 2nd batch to inflict on workmates im into my 3rd one as i type this thank you agreat idea
Azma says
Hi there! Making them this morning for breakfast! I wanted to find one n i cant believe there is such a recipe! Thnk u for sharing this! Made our day! Yums, super delicious!
Joan says
My niece loves cheese and wanted to make these for her bridal shower was wondering if a apple and grape filling with a sangria buttercream would pair well
Sarah21 says
It’s really good 😋 I’m actually baking for the second time around as i already ate all of my first bake. I didn’t include sugar this time though
Luz M. Adion says
Hi Ms. Lalaine! Thank you very much for sharing this recipe. It truly is a great recipe. My kids and I love it very much. It tastes similar to my favorite cheese cupcake back in College. Thank you and God bless!
Mary says
This recipe is amazing! Comes out perfect everytime. I just wanted to ask, can I prepare the batter on Sunday but bake it on Tuesday? How can I preserve it without ruining quality? Thank you!
Francia says
will definitely give this a go 🙂
Lalaine Manalo says
Let us know how it goes 🙂
Perlita Acosta says
Hi,
Thanks for the recipe but do i need to preheat the oven or no need.
Thanks.
Lalaine Manalo says
Yes, preheat please.
Oyaji says
Very good! Just ate it with my daughter, we both liked it. I thought it was going to be super sweet, but it wasn’t. It was just okay for us. I used mild cheddar for the topping and I couldn’t taste the cheese. Maybe next time I will use a sharp cheddar instead or experiment with some other cheese.
Very good recipe. I was craving for cheese Ensemada, but this will do for now.
Jennifer Kiswanto says
Delicious! Thanks for the recipe 😊
Kim Albao says
I tried this recipe and it’s really so good. First time to bake cheese cupcakes and I’m happy with the result. Thank you Ms. Lalaine!
Julianne Avellanosa says
This was really good!! Although I did cut back on the condensed milk since I thought it was too much. Only used 2/3 of the can but came out with just the right sweetness!! Soft & moist too hehe my family loved it! Thank you so much ☺️
Lalaine Manalo says
Thanks for the feedback. I’m glad you were able to adjust the recipe to your liking 🙂
Samantha says
Tried this. Delicious. Thanks dor the recipe!
Lalaine Manalo says
You’re welcome. Glad you liked it.