There’s something magical about the scent of apple cider and cinnamon wafting through the kitchen when the leaves start to turn. These Apple Cider Cupcakes with Spiced Buttercream Frosting are everything fall should taste like, cozy, gently sweet, and irresistibly nostalgic.
Moist apple-infused cake meets creamy, cinnamon-kissed frosting in a dessert that feels like a warm hug after a crisp autumn walk. Perfect for gatherings, bake sales, or just because you needed a little comfort baked into a cupcake liner.
Ingredients
For the Apple Cider Cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup apple cider
- ¼ cup buttermilk
For the Spiced Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider (reduce to 2 tablespoons for stronger flavor)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. - Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set aside. - Cream the Butter & Sugar:
In a large bowl, beat butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, beating after each. Stir in vanilla. - Combine Wet & Dry:
Alternate adding the dry ingredients with the apple cider and buttermilk — start and end with the dry. Mix just until combined (overmixing = dense cupcakes). - Bake:
Divide the batter evenly among liners (about ¾ full). Bake 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in the pan, then move to a wire rack to cool completely. - Make the Frosting:
In a large bowl, beat softened butter until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar in stages, mixing well between additions. Beat in reduced apple cider, vanilla, and spices. Continue mixing until light and fluffy. - Frost & Finish:
Once cupcakes are cool, pipe or spread the frosting generously on top.
Optional: Sprinkle a touch of cinnamon or add a small cinnamon stick for presentation.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Apple Cider Cupcakes
- Enhance the cider flavor: Simmer your apple cider on the stove for 10–15 minutes to reduce and concentrate the taste before adding it to the recipe.
- Don’t overmix: Stop mixing as soon as the batter is smooth — too much air can make them dense.
- Perfect piping: Chill the frosting for 10 minutes before piping for cleaner swirls.
- Storage: Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days, or refrigerate up to 5.
Substitutions & Variations
- Vegan version: Replace butter with vegan baking sticks, eggs with flax eggs, and buttermilk with oat milk + vinegar.
- Frosting twist: Try maple buttercream or cream cheese frosting for a tangy contrast.
- Flavor add-ins: Fold in diced apples or drizzle with caramel for an extra autumn indulgence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?
You can, but cider offers a deeper, spicier flavor. If using juice, add an extra pinch of cinnamon or a splash of lemon juice for brightness.
Can I make them ahead of time?
Yes — bake the cupcakes a day early and frost them the next day. Store unfrosted cupcakes covered at room temperature.
How long do they stay fresh?
They’ll stay moist for up to 3 days if kept airtight. For longer storage, freeze the unfrosted cupcakes up to a month.
Nutrition Information (per cupcake)
- Calories: ~320 kcal
- Fat: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Sugar: 30g
- Protein: 3g
(Values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients used.)
If autumn had a flavor, this would be it, buttery, spiced, and just sweet enough to make you close your eyes for a second. These Apple Cider Cupcakes with Spiced Buttercream Frosting aren’t just desserts; they’re a little ritual of warmth when the air turns cool.
Bake a batch, share a few, and maybe keep one (or two) for yourself. You’ve earned it.
Apple Cider Cupcakes with Spiced Buttercream Frosting | Cozy Fall Dessert
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup apple cider
- ¾ cup buttermilk
For the Spiced Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup apple cider (reduce to 2 tablespoons for stronger flavor)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, beating after each. Stir in vanilla.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Alternate adding the dry ingredients with the apple cider and buttermilk — start and end with the dry. Mix just until combined (overmixing = dense cupcakes).
- Bake: Divide the batter evenly among liners (about ¾ full). Bake 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in the pan, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Frosting: In a large bowl, beat softened butter until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar in stages, mixing well between additions. Beat in reduced apple cider, vanilla, and spices. Continue mixing until light and fluffy.
- Frost & Finish: Once cupcakes are cool, pipe or spread the frosting generously on top.Optional: Sprinkle a touch of cinnamon or add a small cinnamon stick for presentation.