Apple Cider Cupcakes
These cupcakes combine the unmistakable flavor of apple with earthy, warm cinnamon and a rich vanilla buttercream frosting.
Prep Time:15 minutes mins
Cook Time:18 minutes mins
Total Time:33 minutes mins
Servings:12 cupcakes
For the cupcakes:
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup apple cider
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
To make the cupcakes:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a muffin tin with paper liners. Set aside.
Cream the butter and granulated sugar together in a large bowl, and then mix in the eggs, vanilla, and apple cider until fully incorporated. Then mix in the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until just combined.
Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cavity ⅔ of the way full.
Bake for 18 – 20 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Remove them from the oven and let cool completely.
To make the frosting:
Whip the butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon together in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
Add 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar at a time while slowly mixing until all the sugar has been added and fully incorporated.
Transfer the frosting into a piping bag and pipe the frosting onto the completely cooled cupcakes. Optionally, lightly dust them with some ground cinnamon. Serve and enjoy!
- Swap the apple cider for apple juice if you want to. It's not exactly the same, but it will work just as well.
- Add some finely chopped walnuts to the batter if you'd like. Or pecans. Nothing wrong with adding a little crunch!
- If you aren't confident with piping bags, don't worry - you can spread the frosting over the cupcakes with a knife instead. Sprinkle a little cinnamon on top and they will still be appealing and irresistible!
Calories: 383kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 116mg | Potassium: 144mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 756IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1mg