apple cider cupcakes
Apple cider cupcakes are the taste of fall in every bite. Soft, spiced, and topped with cinnamon buttercream, they capture the warmth of the season with real apple cider reduced for bold flavor.
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Mixing Bowls:
- Electric Mixer
- Cupcake Pan:
- Cupcake Liners:
- Wire Rack
Ingredients
Cupcake Batter
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup apple cider reduced from 1 cup
- ¼ cup milk
Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp apple cider adjust for consistency
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Reduce the Apple Cider: Simmer 1 cup of apple cider in a small saucepan over medium heat until reduced to ½ cup. Let cool completely.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Combine Batter: Alternately add dry ingredients and the milk/reduced cider mixture, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix just until combined.
- Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan and fill liners about ⅔ full.
- Bake: Bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Make Frosting: Beat softened butter, powdered sugar, apple cider, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until smooth and fluffy.
- Frost and Serve: Pipe or spread the frosting on cooled cupcakes. Optional: dust with cinnamon sugar or garnish with apple slices.
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Notes
Use real apple cider (not juice) and don’t skip the reduction step for the best flavor. Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting. For a bakery-style look, sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top.