Happy Fall Y'all!

Today is the first official day of fall!  Finally!  

You know that I love pumpkin flavor during the fall, but following a close second is apple cider!  I was so excited when I found this recipe for Apple Cider Cupcakes that I just had to give it a try. 

These cupcakes are excellent frosted (recipe follows cupcake instructions) or without. The texture is dense, almost like a muffin, so why not enjoy it without frosting for breakfast?! The original recipe came from Wishes and Dishes, but I changed it just slightly to fit my tastes and baking style. 

Apple Cider Cupcakes

Cupcake Ingredients: 

2/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 2/3 cup flour, sifted

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup apple cider

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

2. Cream together butter and sugar using an electric mixer.  Add the eggs and vanilla until combined. 

3. Whisk the remaining dry ingredients together in a separate bowl.  

4. Alternate adding the cider and the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing after      each addition just until combined. 

5.  Line cupcake tins with cupcake liners and fill each cup 2/3 full. If making muffins you may   prefer to grease the cupcake tins and bake without liners. 

6.  Bake cupcakes 15-17 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center of the cupcake      comes out clean. Do not overcook!   Cool completely before frosting or enjoy warm withou    frosting.  

Frosting Ingredients: 

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

3 cups powdered sugar, sifted

2 TBSP milk

1. Cream together butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla until light and fluffy. 

2. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix until fully combined. 

3. Stir in milk until fully incorporated into the mixture. 

4. Frost cupcakes with a piping bag or offset spatula as desired. 

5. Garnish with an apple slice or, of course, sprinkles! 

6.  The original recipe states that the cupcakes will stay fresh for 5 days in an airtight    container.  When I use butter in my frosting, I prefer to story leftover cupcakes (if there are  any!) in the refrigerator.  

Print the recipe here. 

Of course, I doubt if anyone will sell you just one cup of apple cider, so if you are looking for a little something to do with the remaining juice, remember my Apple Cider, Cran-Pomegranate and Bourbon cocktail from last fall.  You can find that recipe here. You could also try the Bourbon and Apple Cider Cocktail recipe that we sipped on Halloween here. That is by far the most popular cocktail recipe I have shared with you.  

I hope that however you choose to celebrate the Autumnal Equinox, the season is good to you! 

Thanks for stopping by today! 

~Cynthia