Recipe courtesy of Brenda DePonte

Sweet Potato Cider Cupcake with Marshmallow Frosting

  • Level: Intermediate
  • Yield: 24 cupcakes
  • Total: 1 hr 30 min
  • Prep: 40 min
  • Cook: 50 min
Advertisement

Ingredients

Cupcakes:

8 ounces (2 sticks) butter, room temperature

2 cups sugar

4 large eggs

16 ounces canned sweet potatoes, drained and mashed

2/3 cup apple cider

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

Caramel Cider Sauce:

4 cups apple cider

1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

2 ounces salted butter (1/2 stick)

1/2 cup light brown sugar

Marshmallow Frosting:

16 ounces unsalted butter (4 sticks)

12 tablespoons Cider Caramel Reduction

16 ounces marshmallow creme (recommended: Marshmallow Fluff)

Toasted Salted Pecans:

1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped

2 tablespoons salted butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line regular sized cupcake pans with 24 liners. Beat the butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. In a food processor, combine the sweet potatoes, apple cider, and vanilla. Blend until smooth. Put aside. In a bowl, combine flour with remaining dry ingredients. Whisk until blended. Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture, alternating with the sweet potato mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full with batter. Bake until golden brown, 22 to 24 minutes. Remove from the pan immediately. Cool completely. For the cider reduction: In a medium saucepan, bring the cider to a boil, add the vanilla bean, and cook until the cider reduces to about 2 cups, 20 to 25 minutes. Add the butter and sugar. Cook until the cider reduces to about 1 1/2 cups, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Transfer the mixture to glass bowl. Cover. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until reduction is cooled completely. Can be made up to 3 days in advance. Reserve half for the Marshmallow Cream Frosting and half for assembling the cupcakes. For the marshmallow frosting: In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter until smooth and creamy, scraping down the bowl occasionally, about 2 minutes. Add the Caramel Cider Reduction and beat until incorporated. Remove the bowl from the mixer and fold in the marshmallow creme until incorporated. For the pecans: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt the butter in a bowl in the microwave. Coat the chopped pecan with butter. Pour onto the prepared baking sheet and toast in the oven for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with salt while warm and toss. Cool completely. To assemble: Drizzle a small amount of Caramel Cider Reduction over the top of each cupcake. Generously frost each cupcake with Marshmallow Frosting and sprinkle with Toasted Salted Pecans.

Let's Get Cooking!

Sign up for the Recipe of the Day newsletter to receive editor-picked recipes,tips and videos delivered to your inbox daily. Privacy Policy

Thanks for subscribing to the Recipe of the Day newsletter. Check out all our other great newsletters from Easy Recipes, Healthy Eating Ideas and Chef Recipe Videos.

We're sorry, there was an error signing you up. Please try again later.

Advertisement

Sue R.

These cupcakes are awesomely delicious!! Loved the subtle flavor of the sweet potato and so moist. I cut the recipe in half since there's only 2 of us. I think I had 10 cupcakes. The frosting is so buttery delicious I could eat it with a spoon. Love that cider flavor!

See All Reviews