Looking for a way to upgrade your autumn baking? This apple cider cream cheese frosting uses a simple cider reduction to add a depth of flavor you cannot get from extracts alone. Ready in about 30 minutes, this creamy, spiced topping is a wonderful choice for gingerbread or pumpkin cake.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Big Flavor with Minimal Effort You do not need to be a pastry chef to get complex flavors here. The simple act of boiling the cider does all the heavy lifting for you. It transforms a standard grocery store ingredient into something that tastes gourmet, yet the actual "work" is just letting a pan simmer while you do other things.
- It Fits Your Schedule We know that "real life" often means you are short on time. This entire recipe comes together in about 30 minutes. Plus, because the flavors improve after sitting, you can make it a day in advance. That means less stress when you are actually ready to decorate your cake or cookies.
- One Recipe, Many Uses This is a workhorse recipe for your fall baking rotation. Instead of needing different toppings for different desserts, this single frosting pairs beautifully with pumpkin cake, gingerbread cookies, or even store-bought cinnamon rolls that need a homemade touch.
- Family-Tested Reliability Since this recipe has been family-tested, you can trust that the texture is right and the sweetness is balanced. It is sturdy enough to pipe onto cupcakes for a party but soft enough to spread easily on a sheet cake for a weeknight treat.
The Ingredients for the Apple Cider Frosting
- Apple Cider - Provides the primary flavor profile; reducing it intensifies the apple taste and prevents the frosting from becoming watery.
- Cream Cheese - Adds tanginess and a creamy texture that balances the sweetness of the cider and sugar.
- Butter - distinct from cream cheese, butter adds structure and stability to the frosting so it holds its shape.
- Cinnamon - Enhances the natural spice notes in the apple cider for a warmer finish.
- Powdered Sugar - Sweetens the frosting and acts as a thickener to achieve a spreadable consistency.
Making the Frosting
- Reduce the Cider - Pour the apple cider into a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer until it has reduced to about ¼ cup. This usually takes around 20 minutes. Set it aside to cool completely to room temperature.
- Combine Wet Ingredients - In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl with a hand mixer), add the cooled apple cider reduction, cinnamon, softened cream cheese, and softened butter. Beat together until well combined.
- Add Sugar and Finish - Gradually add the powdered sugar to the mixture. Beat until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
- Fluff (Optional) - For a lighter texture, switch to a whisk attachment and whip for an additional minute.
- Store - Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Perfect Pairings for This Frosting
This apple cider frosting is the ultimate fall topping! While I first made it for my gingerbread cookies, it's also incredible on:
- Cupcakes: Use it as the perfect topper for Simple Vanilla Cupcakes or a batch of spiced pumpkin cupcakes.
- Cakes: It's the ideal frosting for a Pumpkin Cake or any spiced apple cake.
- Other Fall Desserts: Try it as a dip for your Chai Shortbread cookies.
Like this frosting? Try my Whipped Peanut Butter Frosting!
FAQ's:
Reducing the apple cider is crucial because it concentrates the flavor, ensuring the apple taste is strong and pronounced in the final frosting. It also thickens the apple cider so the frosting is not runny.
While you can use apple juice, the flavor will not be as robust as that of apple cider, as cider tends to have a more complex and tangy profile.
This frosting can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. It's often better if made a day ahead, allowing the flavors to get to know each other.
This frosting pairs well with a variety of fall-themed desserts, including gingerbread cookies, spiced apple cake, pumpkin cupcakes, and cinnamon rolls.
Cooking with AI? Click the button above to send this exact recipe to ChatGPT so it doesn't miss any ingredients.
Recipe
Apple Cider Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 6 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Method
- Over a medium heat, reduce apple cider to ¼ cup. Set aside to cool
- Add cooled cider, cinnamon, cream cheese, and butter to the bowl of the mixer and combine well.
- After combined, add the powdered sugar and mix to combine well. After combined store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
