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!
Cheese Cupcakes
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
will definitely give this a go 🙂
Let us know how it goes 🙂
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 ☺️
Thanks for the feedback. I’m glad you were able to adjust the recipe to your liking 🙂
Tried this. Delicious. Thanks dor the recipe!
You’re welcome. Glad you liked it.
Hi Ms. Lalaine just wanna ask what flour did you use for this recipe? Planning to try doing this tomorrow. Thank you💕
It’s all-purpose flour 🙂
the best cheese cupcake ever! thank u for sharing po..actually marami na rin ako na try na recipe nyo at lahat naman ay panalo talaga.super like ng family ko.ung iba ginawa ko ng business 😊..kaya thank u po marami 😘.
Thank you so much! You made my day 🙂
Hi, can i use cake flour?
I haven’t tried cake flour in this recipe but I am guessing it would have a different texture.
If i dont have baking powder can i substitute the baking soda?
I am sorry but I haven’t tried this recipe with baking soda so I am not sure how it would work.
This is my go-to recipe for cheese cupcakes for years now! My kids especially my son LOVE it he always requests for me to bake some! These cupcakes remind me of mine and my sister#’ childhood when my Mom always gets us a pack or more of the Lemon Squares™ brand cheese cupcakes in the Philippines and I have been looking for a recipe to replicate them until I found yours. Thanks so much!
Thank you so much, you made my day 🙂
Very nice recipe Ms Lalaine. Na try ko na po. 😊 Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you for the 5-stars 🙂