Apple Cider Cupcakes Recipe

Ingredients:

Cakes:

• 7 tablespoons butter, room temperature
• ¾ cup light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1¼ cups flour
• 1 cup apple cider

Frosting:

• 2 egg whites
• 1 dash of salt
• 3 ½ tablespoons water
• ½ cup dark brown sugar
• 1 stick butter, room temperature
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
• 3 tablespoons dark rum

Instructions:

Cakes:

1. Heat an oven to 350° F.
   
2. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until it is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
   
3. Add the egg, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, and mix well to combine, about 1 minute.
   
4. Add the flour in 3 batches and the cider in 2 batches, alternating between the two and starting and ending with the flour.
   
5. Pour the batter into lined muffin pans; fill the cups about ¾ full. Bake for 20-22 minutes; a toothpick should come out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting.

Frosting:

1. Put the egg whites and salt into the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment.
   
2. In a small saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil. When the mixture reaches a boil, turn on the mixer and beat the whites and salt at medium-high speed until they hold soft peaks. Continue boiling the sugar mixture until it reaches the soft ball stage (about 240° F – if you drop a bit of the mixture into a glass of cold water, it will form a soft ball, hence the name). Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat.
   
3. With the mixer still running, pour the sugar mixture down the side of the bowl (do not pour the syrup into the whisk and try not to get it on the side of the bowl – the sugar will harden on contact and will result in some small hard pieces in the frosting). Let the mixer run until the mixture is cool, about 10 minutes.
   
4. Once the mixture is cool, add the butter, ½ tablespoon at a time. The frosting might appear curdled after you have added about ¾ of the butter, but it will get smooth once all the butter is added and you continue beating. After all the butter has been added, add the spices and rum. Beat for 1 more minute to incorporate. Enjoy!

Note : Makes 10 cupcakes.


Photo Credit: raspberryeggplant.blogspot
Source : http://raspberryeggplant.blogspot.com/2007/12/spiked-apple-cider-cupcakes.html