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Cinnamon Apple Cider Cupcakes Recipe

Cinnamon Apple Cider Cupcakes Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 29 reviews

Delight in these moist and flavorful Cinnamon Apple Cider Cupcakes featuring a spiced apple filling and topped with a luscious brown butter cream cheese frosting. Perfectly balanced with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and the tang of apple cider, these cupcakes are an autumnal treat that combine tender cake, sweet filling, and creamy frosting for an irresistible dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Apple Filling

  • 2 cups apple cider
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 cups diced apples (about 2 to 3 medium apples)
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp apple cider reduction
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 tsp water

Cupcakes

  • 1/2 cup melted unsalted brown butter
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups cake flour (or all-purpose flour)
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup apple cider reduction

Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 cup unsalted brown butter, softened
  • 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp apple cider reduction (plus extra if desired)

Garnish

  • Apple slices
  • Cinnamon sticks

Instructions

  1. Reduce the Apple Cider: In a small saucepan over medium heat, simmer 2 cups of apple cider until it reduces by half, which should take about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and allow the apple cider reduction to cool completely before using.
  2. Prepare the Spiced Apple Filling: Peel and finely dice 2 to 3 medium apples. In a large pot over medium heat, combine diced apples, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 2 tbsp apple cider reduction from Step 1. Cook gently for 10-15 minutes until apples soften. Mix 2 tsp cornstarch and 2 tsp water to form a slurry, add to the apple mixture, and stir until thickened. Remove from heat and chill the filling in the fridge once cooled.
  3. Make the Cupcake Batter: Whisk together 1 1/2 cups cake flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp kosher salt in one bowl. In another bowl, whisk melted brown butter, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Add 2 large eggs and 1 tbsp vanilla extract; whisk until combined. Gradually mix in half the flour mixture, then add 1/2 cup apple cider reduction, followed by the remaining flour mixture. Stir until the batter is smooth.
  4. Bake the Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake tray with liners and fill each about halfway with 1/4 cup batter. Bake 18-22 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack before filling and frosting.
  5. Fill the Cupcakes with Spiced Apple: Using a cupcake corer or small knife, remove the center from each cooled cupcake. Fill each cavity with 1-2 teaspoons of the chilled spiced apple filling prepared earlier.
  6. Prepare the Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting: In a mixer with paddle attachment, beat 1 cup unsalted brown butter and 4 oz cream cheese until smooth. Add 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; mix on low until combined. Gradually beat in 2 tbsp apple cider reduction and continue on high speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Add extra apple cider reduction if desired for more flavor.
  7. Frost and Garnish the Cupcakes: Frost the filled cupcakes evenly with the brown butter cream cheese frosting. Garnish with a light sprinkle of cinnamon, fresh apple slices (soaked briefly in lemon juice to prevent browning), and cinnamon sticks. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • For best flavor, prepare the apple cider reduction in advance to allow it to cool completely.
  • Ensure cupcakes are fully cooled before filling and frosting to prevent melting or sinking.
  • Soak apple slices in lemon juice for a few minutes before garnishing to keep them from browning.
  • You can make extra apple cider reduction for drizzling over the finished cupcakes for added moisture and flavor.
  • If you don’t have cake flour, all-purpose flour can be used but may result in a slightly denser cupcake.
  • Use room temperature eggs and cream cheese for better batter and frosting consistency.
  • The brown butter adds a nutty flavor but can be made with regular melted butter in a pinch.

Nutrition

Keywords: cinnamon, apple cider, cupcakes, fall dessert, cream cheese frosting, spiced apple filling, brown butter

Find it online: https://cookedbycleo.com/cinnamon-apple-cider-cupcakes-recipe/