Apple Cider Cupcakes & Brown Sugar Cinnamon Buttercream

Description

Courtesy of Wishes and Dishes

New York apple cider, brown sugar and cinnamon bring cozy flavors to these decadent cupcakes, which are sure to be a hit at any potluck or holiday festivity! For an extra flourish, we like to top each cupcake with an apple slice before serving.

Ingredients

Cupcakes

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 cup NY apple cider

Frosting

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 Tbsp. milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cream together butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer). Add the eggs and vanilla; mix until fully incorporated.
  2. Whisk together all the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add the NY apple cider and the dry ingredient mixture into the butter and sugar mixture (alternating the cider and dry ingredients), slowly incorporating them into the mixture.
  3. Line a standard muffin tin with paper or foil liners.
  4. Fill cupcake liners two-thirds full and bake for 17-19 minutes. Bake until toothpick or skewer inserted into center comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.
  5. For the frosting, whip butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla together with a mixer until light and fluffy.
  6. Gradually add powdered sugar; mix until incorporated.
  7. Add milk until you reach desired consistency (add more for thinner frosting).
  8. Transfer to piping bag and frost each cupcake, once they have cooled.
  9. Garnish with an apple slice if desired.
  10. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days.