If you are dreaming of a dessert that perfectly captures the cozy spirit of autumn, look no further than these Apple Cider Cupcakes with Spiced Buttercream Frosting. Each bite offers the tender crumb of moist cupcakes infused with warm apple cider and a blend of fall spices, crowned with a luscious, creamy frosting that’s equally aromatic and delightful. This recipe brings together simple, pantry-friendly ingredients with a splash of seasonal magic, making these cupcakes a true celebration of flavors and comfort in every mouthful.

Apple Cider Cupcakes with Spiced Buttercream Frosting Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Nothing fancy here, just straightforward, wholesome ingredients that work together to create the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Each component is thoughtfully chosen to enhance the apple cider’s natural sweetness and the spices’ toasty warmth, culminating in those irresistible Apple Cider Cupcakes with Spiced Buttercream Frosting.

All-purpose flour: Provides the classic structure and crumb that holds these cupcakes together beautifully.
Baking powder and baking soda: Make sure your cupcakes rise perfectly light and fluffy.
Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves: These warm spices infuse deep autumnal flavor that makes these cupcakes so special.
Salt: Enhances all the sweet and spicy notes without overpowering them.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture, essential for that tender crumb and the luscious frosting.
Granulated and brown sugar: Brown sugar brings a lovely molasses undertone, complementing the apple cider perfectly.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients while adding structure and moisture.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor with a subtle sweet aroma.
Apple cider: Infuses the cupcakes with fresh apple flavor and a touch of tanginess.
Buttermilk: Adds a tender crumb and subtle tang to balance the sweetness.
Powdered sugar: The base for your fluffy spiced buttercream frosting.

How to Make Apple Cider Cupcakes with Spiced Buttercream Frosting

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by getting your oven warmed to 350°F (175°C) and lining a 12-cup muffin tin with your favorite cupcake liners. This little prep step sets you up perfectly, ensuring your cupcakes bake evenly and come out effortlessly.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. This blend of dry ingredients is what gives the cupcakes their signature spiced aroma and tender structure—don’t skip the thorough whisking for an even distribution!

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Using a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture turns pale and fluffy. This is where the air gets incorporated for a light cupcake, and the sugars start dissolving to sweeten your batter perfectly.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

One at a time, beat in the eggs, making sure each is fully combined before adding the next. Stir in a splash of vanilla extract to infuse that warm, classic note everyone loves in a bakery-style cupcake.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Alternately

Now, gently alternate adding the dry ingredients with the apple cider and buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry mix. The trick here is to mix just until combined—overmixing will make your cupcakes dense instead of soft and tender.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Divide the luscious batter evenly among your cupcake liners. Slide them into the oven and bake for about 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean. Let them rest for a few minutes in the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, so they stay moist and springy.

Step 7: Make the Spiced Buttercream Frosting

Whip the softened butter until silky smooth, then gradually beat in the powdered sugar. Add the apple cider, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a pinch of salt—reduce the cider if you want a more intense flavor. Keep beating until the frosting is light and fluffy, ready to be slathered generously over those cooled cupcakes.

Step 8: Frost and Decorate

Once cooled, pipe or spread the spiced buttercream frosting atop each cupcake. This is where the magic truly shines, as the creamy, fragrant frosting perfectly complements each baked morsel.

How to Serve Apple Cider Cupcakes with Spiced Buttercream Frosting

Garnishes

For an extra-special touch, sprinkle a dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg on top of the frosting or add a small cinnamon stick as a garnish. These simple touches not only make your cupcakes look stunning but also amplify the wonderful spice notes with each bite.

Side Dishes

These cupcakes are fantastic on their own with a warm cup of chai tea or hot apple cider. For a decadent fall-inspired spread, serve alongside caramel-dipped apple slices or a small bowl of whipped cinnamon cream for dipping.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to wow your guests? Arrange these cupcakes on a rustic wooden board with autumn leaves for a cozy presentation. You can also hollow out a few and fill them with a spoonful of spiced apple compote before frosting — surprise and delight with every bite!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your Apple Cider Cupcakes with Spiced Buttercream Frosting fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If you live in a warmer climate, refrigerate them to prevent the frosting from melting, but bring them back to room temperature before serving for best texture and taste.

Freezing

You can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes by wrapping each tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw completely, then frost with fresh spiced buttercream for a just-baked taste.

Reheating

If you need to warm your cupcakes, gently heat them in the microwave for about 10 seconds, but only do this without the frosting to avoid melting it. Once warmed, add the frosting or enjoy as a cozy treat on its own.

FAQs

Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?

Apple juice is a bit sweeter and less spiced than apple cider, so while you can substitute it, you may want to add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to keep that warm fit of flavors in your cupcakes.

How do I make the frosting less sweet?

Reducing the powdered sugar slightly or adding a bit more apple cider can help balance the sweetness while keeping the frosting smooth and flavorful.

Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?

Yes! Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend, and be sure to check that your baking powder is gluten-free to keep the cupcakes tender and delicious.

What’s the best way to pipe the spiced buttercream frosting?

A large star tip works beautifully to give your cupcakes a pretty, classic swirl, but feel free to get creative with any piping tip or even a simple spatula for a rustic look.

Can I add nuts to the recipe?

Chopped pecans or walnuts add a lovely crunch that pairs well with these flavors. Add about half a cup folded into the batter or sprinkle some on top of the frosting for extra texture.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly heartwarming about homemade Apple Cider Cupcakes with Spiced Buttercream Frosting, and this recipe is a wonderful way to bring the essence of fall right into your kitchen. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering or simply craving a cozy treat, these cupcakes will fill your home with irresistible aromas and bring smiles to everyone lucky enough to share them. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will quickly become one of your seasonal favorites to revisit again and again.

Apple Cider Cupcakes with Spiced Buttercream Frosting Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 12 reviews

These Apple Cider Cupcakes with Spiced Buttercream Frosting are a cozy, fall-inspired treat featuring warm spices and a moist apple cider-infused batter. Topped with a rich, aromatic buttercream frosting spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, they capture the perfect balance of sweet and spice, ideal for autumn gatherings or festive occasions.

Author: Sophie
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cupcakes:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup apple cider
1/4 cup buttermilk

For the Spiced Buttercream Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup apple cider (reduce to 2 tablespoons for more flavor intensity)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Pinch of salt

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners to prepare for baking.
Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
Make the Cupcake Batter: In a large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar together until the texture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure they are fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract to flavor the batter.
Incorporate Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the butter mixture while alternating with the apple cider and buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cupcakes.
Bake: Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners in the muffin tin, filling each about 2/3 full. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare the Spiced Buttercream Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating well between additions to achieve a smooth texture. Add the apple cider (adjust to taste for intensity), vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a pinch of salt. Continue beating until the frosting is light, fluffy, and well combined.
Frost the Cupcakes: Once the cupcakes have cooled completely, use a piping bag or a spatula to generously apply the spiced buttercream frosting to the top of each cupcake, creating an inviting swirl or layer.
Serve: Optionally garnish each cupcake with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a small cinnamon stick for decoration. Enjoy these comforting, flavorful cupcakes perfect for fall and holiday occasions!

Notes

For a more intense apple cider flavor in the frosting, reduce the amount of cider used from 1/4 cup to 2 tablespoons.
Ensure cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.
These cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 5 days.
The spices used can be adjusted based on personal preference — adding more cinnamon enhances warmth, while increasing cloves intensifies the spiced profile.
For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a vegan butter alternative and use coconut or almond milk in place of buttermilk with a teaspoon of lemon juice.