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Apple Cider Cupcakes with Spiced Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Apple Cider Cupcakes with Spiced Buttercream Frosting Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 26 reviews

Delight in these moist and flavorful Apple Cider Cupcakes topped with a creamy Spiced Buttercream Frosting, perfect for fall gatherings or holiday celebrations. Made with gluten-free oat flour and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, these cupcakes offer a cozy taste of the season with a light sweetness and a hint of apple cider in both the cake and frosting.

Ingredients

Scale

Apple Cider Cupcakes

  • 1 1/3 cups oat flour (certified gluten-free) or gluten-free all-purpose flour (or regular flour)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp allspice
  • pinch of ground cloves
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened (or coconut oil or dairy-free butter alternative)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup applesauce (sweetened or unsweetened)
  • 1/2 cup apple cider
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs

Spiced Buttercream Frosting

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1–2 tbsp apple cider, water, or milk (start with 1 tbsp)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together oat flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ground cloves until well combined.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to cream softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. This will create the base of your batter.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the applesauce, apple cider, and vanilla extract with the creamed butter mixture until fully incorporated. Then add the eggs and beat for about a minute to blend everything smoothly.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring just until you have a smooth and uniform cupcake batter without overmixing.
  5. Prepare to Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan with liners and lightly spray them with non-stick cooking spray or grease.
  6. Fill and Bake: Fill each cupcake liner about three-quarters full with batter. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the tops feel springy to touch.
  7. Cool Cupcakes: Remove cupcakes from oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely prior to frosting.
  8. Make Spiced Buttercream Frosting: In a large bowl, beat softened butter, 1 tablespoon apple cider (or water/milk), vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and beat until fluffy. Add more liquid a little at a time if the frosting is too thick to reach your desired consistency.
  9. Frost and Serve: Once cupcakes have completely cooled, frost them generously with the spiced buttercream. Optionally, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or festive sprinkles for extra decoration. Enjoy immediately or store appropriately.

Notes

  • For best texture, use softened butter for creaming rather than melted.
  • If frosting is too sugary or thin, adjust consistency by adding more powdered sugar to thicken or a small amount of apple cider to thin.
  • Use ground cloves for spice; whole cloves are not recommended.
  • Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
  • To make cupcakes vegan, substitute eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 2.5 tbsp water, set until gelled).
  • Regular all-purpose flour can be used instead of oat flour, but oat flour yields a slightly denser texture.
  • Frosting can be doubled if you prefer thicker coverage or to frost more cupcakes.
  • Bring applesauce and apple cider to room temperature before mixing into creamed butter and sugar to avoid curdling.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider cupcakes, spiced buttercream frosting, gluten-free cupcakes, fall desserts, holiday cupcakes, cinnamon cupcakes, apple desserts

Find it online: https://dishedbydana.com/apple-cider-cupcakes-with-spiced-buttercream-frosting-recipe/