These Apple Cider Cupcakes with Cranberry Buttercream are moist (sorry not sorry), delicious apple cider cakes topped with sweet-tart cranberry Swiss meringue buttercream. Fall in cupcake form! <3
Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease cupcake pan or line with paper liners. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon). Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the sugar, brown sugar, and butter. Mix until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Add vanilla. Then add eggs one at a time, allowing the first egg to incoporate before adding the second.
Alternate adding the apple cider and dry ingredients in two additions each (½ the apple cider, ½ the dry ingredients, remaining apple cider, remaining dry ingredients). Mix until just incorporated.
Divide the batter between the wells of the prepared pan, filling each about ¾ full. Bake 16-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, or with only a few crumbs attached. (See notes regarding mini cupcakes.)
Allow cupcakes to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before turning them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
For Cranberry Puree:
In a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, and lemon juice.
Over medium-low heat, warm the cranberries, stirring occasionally, until they give off juice and start to burst.
Transfer cranberries to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until smooth. Strain the puree with a fine mesh strainer (see note). You should end up with about a ½ cup of cranberry puree.
For Buttercream:
Combine egg whites and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk to combine. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water, taking care that the water doesn't touch the bowl. Cook mixture on medium heat until it reaches 160°F (see note).
Once the mixture reaches temperature, carefully transfer the bowl to the mixer. Using the whisk attachment, beat on high speed until white, glossy, and bowl is no longer warm to the touch, about 10 minutes.
With the mixer running on low speed, add butter a few pieces at a time. Allow each addition to incorporate before adding the next. Once all butter is incorporated, add vanilla extract and whip until smooth, another 3-5 minutes.
Add cranberry puree and whip until fully combined. Transfer the buttercream to a piping bag and frost the cooled cupcakes. Top with sugared cranberries (see note), if desired.Enjoy!
Notes
Note on mini cupcakes: This recipe will make about 48 mini cupcakes. You will need to reduce the bake time to about 8 minutes.Note on straining puree: This step isn't exactly necessary, but I wanted the buttercream to be a consistent pink color. If you don't mind the buttercream being less smooth and having flecks of cranberry skin throughout, you can skip this step.Note on candy thermometer: A thermometer is necessary to know when you've reached the appropriate temperature. If you don't have one and are looking to purchase one, you can find one [here].Note on sugared cranberries: I love these little sweet-tart gems! Because I just made a small handful of sugared cranberries, I reduced the sugar and water to 1 tablespoon each, and only needed to simmer the mixture for a few minutes to reach a syrupy consistency.