Creating Apple Pie Cupcakes is an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Follow these steps to ensure your cupcakes turn out perfectly:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
5. Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Fold in Apples: Gently fold in the diced apples until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7. Fill Cupcake Liners: Evenly distribute the batter into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
8. Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture generously over the top of each cupcake.
9. Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Cool: Remove from the oven and allow the cupcakes to cool in the tin for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.