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Cinnamon Apple Cider Cupcakes Recipe

Cinnamon Apple Cider Cupcakes Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 23 reviews

Delight in these Cinnamon Apple Cider Cupcakes, a perfect fall treat featuring moist cupcakes infused with apple cider reduction, filled with spiced apple filling, and topped with luscious brown butter cream cheese frosting seasoned with cinnamon and apple cider. Garnished with fresh apple slices and cinnamon sticks, these cupcakes merge warm spices with tart apple flavors for a comforting 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 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 reduced by half, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and cool completely. Reserve some for drizzling later.
  2. Prepare the Spiced Apple Filling: Peel and finely dice 2 cups of apples. In a large pot over medium heat, combine diced apples, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/4 cup light brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and 2 tbsp apple cider reduction. Cook gently for 10-15 minutes until soft. Mix 2 tsp cornstarch with 2 tsp water, add slurry slowly to thicken filling. Remove from heat and chill until ready to use.
  3. Make the Cupcake Batter: Whisk together 1 1/2 cups cake flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp kosher salt. In another bowl, blend 1/2 cup melted unsalted brown butter, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Add 2 eggs and 1 tbsp vanilla, whisking well. Incorporate half the flour mixture, then 1/2 cup apple cider reduction, then remaining flour mixture until batter is uniform.
  4. Bake the Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake tray and fill liners halfway with about 1/4 cup batter each. Bake 18-22 minutes until a tester comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  5. Fill the Cupcakes with Spiced Apple: Core cooled cupcakes using a corer or knife. Spoon 1-2 teaspoons of the chilled spiced apple filling into the center of each cupcake.
  6. Prepare the Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting: In a mixer, beat 1 cup softened unsalted brown butter and 4 oz cream cheese until smooth. Add 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp vanilla, mixing on low until combined. Slowly add 2 tbsp apple cider reduction, then beat on high for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Add extra apple cider reduction if preferred.
  7. Frost and Garnish the Cupcakes: Frost the filled cupcakes generously with the brown butter cream cheese frosting. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon, fresh apple slices (soaked briefly in lemon juice to prevent browning), and cinnamon sticks. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Ensure cupcakes are fully cooled before filling and frosting to prevent melting.
  • Apple slices for garnish should be soaked in lemon juice to avoid browning.
  • For a deeper apple flavor, make extra apple cider reduction to drizzle over cupcakes before serving.
  • Use cake flour for a tender crumb; all-purpose flour can be used but may produce a denser texture.
  • Brown butter can be prepared in advance and refrigerated; bring to room temperature before using.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cinnamon, Apple Cider, Cupcakes, Brown Butter Frosting, Fall Dessert, Spiced Apple Filling

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