Apple Cider Cupcakes with Spiced Buttercream Frosting: A Cozy Fall Dessert You’ll Bake on Repeat

Apple cider cupcakes with spiced buttercream frosting capture everything people love about fall baking in a single, irresistible dessert. They’re moist, warmly spiced, and infused with real apple cider flavor, then topped with a creamy buttercream that tastes like autumn in frosting form. Each bite delivers comfort, nostalgia, and just the right balance of sweetness and spice.

These cupcakes aren’t just apple-flavored — they taste like cider straight from the orchard. Reducing the cider intensifies its flavor, giving the cupcakes a deep apple essence without excess moisture. Paired with cinnamon-, nutmeg-, and clove-kissed buttercream, the result is a dessert that feels festive yet familiar.

Perfect for fall gatherings, holidays, bake sales, or cozy weekends at home, apple cider cupcakes are versatile, crowd-pleasing, and surprisingly easy to make. They’re elegant enough for special occasions and comforting enough for everyday treats.

Why Apple Cider Works So Well in Baking

Apple cider brings more than sweetness to baked goods. It adds natural fruit acidity, warmth, and complexity that plain apple juice simply can’t match. When reduced, cider concentrates into a syrup-like liquid packed with apple flavor, making it ideal for cupcakes.

Unlike chunky apple desserts, cider-based recipes offer smooth texture and even flavor distribution. That’s what makes these cupcakes so tender and consistent from top to bottom.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple pantry staples combined with seasonal flavors.

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes

• Apple cider
• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Unsalted butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract

For the Spiced Buttercream

• Unsalted butter
• Powdered sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Ground cloves
• Vanilla extract
• Heavy cream or milk

Each ingredient has a purpose, from the cider providing flavor to the brown sugar adding moisture and depth.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Reduce the cider. Simmer apple cider until reduced by half, then cool completely.
2. Preheat the oven. Set oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan.
3. Mix dry ingredients. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Cream butter and sugars. Beat until light and fluffy.
5. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
6. Combine wet and dry. Alternate adding dry ingredients and reduced cider.
7. Fill liners. Fill cupcake liners ⅔ full.
8. Bake. Bake 18–22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Cool completely.
10. Make buttercream. Beat butter, powdered sugar, spices, vanilla, and cream until fluffy.
11. Frost and finish. Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes and garnish if desired.

Apple Cider Cupcakes with Spiced Buttercream Frosting

Moist apple cider cupcakes topped with fluffy spiced buttercream frosting.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 22 minutes mins

Total Time 47 minutes mins

Servings: 12 cupcakes

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American, Autumn

Calories: 310

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups apple cider reduced to 1 cup
• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 0.5 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 0.25 tsp nutmeg
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
• 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• 0.25 cup brown sugar packed
• 2 eggs large

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Hand mixer or stand mixer
• Cupcake pan
• Saucepan

Method

 

1. Reduce apple cider by half and cool completely.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line cupcake pan.
3. Whisk dry ingredients together.
4. Cream butter and sugars until fluffy.
5. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.
6. Alternate adding dry ingredients and cider.
7. Bake 18–22 minutes and cool completely.
8. Prepare spiced buttercream and frost cupcakes.

Notes

Spice levels can be adjusted to taste.

Texture and Flavor Breakdown

These cupcakes are incredibly moist with a fine, tender crumb. The cider adds subtle fruitiness without overpowering the spices. The buttercream is smooth, rich, and lightly spiced, complementing the cake instead of competing with it.

Together, the flavors feel warm, balanced, and unmistakably seasonal.

Tips for Perfect Apple Cider Cupcakes

• Always reduce the cider for concentrated flavor
• Let cupcakes cool fully before frosting
• Use room-temperature butter for smooth frosting
• Don’t overmix the batter
• Taste frosting and adjust spice levels

Variations to Try

Caramel Apple Version
Drizzle cupcakes with salted caramel before frosting.

Maple Spice Buttercream
Swap vanilla extract for maple extract.

Filled Cupcakes
Core cupcakes and fill with apple butter.

Mini Cupcakes
Perfect for parties and dessert trays.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these cupcakes with:

• Hot apple cider or coffee
• Vanilla ice cream
• Whipped cream topping

They’re ideal for fall parties, Thanksgiving desserts, or cozy nights in.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Storage:
Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Make Ahead:
Cupcakes can be baked a day ahead and frosted before serving.

Why This Recipe Works Every Time

This recipe balances moisture, structure, and flavor beautifully. The reduced cider ensures strong apple flavor, while the spices enhance warmth without overpowering the cake. The buttercream adds richness and visual appeal, making these cupcakes bakery-worthy but home-friendly.