Triple Cinnamon Cupcake from Sprinkles Cupcakes features moist cinnamon-infused cake layered with spiced cinnamon frosting and topped with a dusting of cinnamon sugar, offering a warm, aromatic, and flavorful treat with a soft, tender crumb.
Equipments
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Whisk
- Cupcake/muffin pan
- Cupcake liners
- Ice cream scoop or spoon (for portioning batter)
- Wire cooling rack
- Piping bag
- Piping tip (for frosting)
- Offset spatula (optional, for smoothing frosting)
- Sifter or fine mesh sieve (for dusting cinnamon sugar)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (for frosting)
- 4 ounces cream cheese (for frosting)
- 2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (for frosting)
- Pinch of salt (for frosting)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for cinnamon sugar dusting)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for cinnamon sugar dusting)
Be sure to use fresh ground cinnamon for the most vibrant and warm spice flavor throughout both the cake batter and the frosting. Accurately measuring leavening agents like baking powder and baking soda is crucial to achieve the cupcake's light, tender crumb texture. Incorporate full-fat sour cream and whole milk to maintain moistness in the cinnamon-infused cake layers. When making the frosting, cream the unsalted butter and cream cheese thoroughly before adding powdered sugar to ensure smoothness and stability. Your homemade Triple Cinnamon Cupcake from Sprinkles Cupcakes copycat will delight with its soft crumb, spiced frosting, and signature cinnamon sugar dusting.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line cupcake pan with liners.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
- Mix in sour cream.
- Add flour mixture in three parts, alternating with milk, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
- Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners using an ice cream scoop or spoon.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool cupcakes in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For frosting, beat butter and cream cheese together until creamy.
- Add powdered sugar, cinnamon, and salt, and beat until smooth and fluffy.
- Transfer frosting to piping bag with desired tip.
- Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes.
- Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl for cinnamon sugar dusting.
- Using a sifter or fine mesh sieve, dust cinnamon sugar over frosted cupcakes.
Substitution
The Triple Cinnamon Cupcake from Sprinkles Cupcakes copycat menu can be easily customized by substituting whole milk with almond or oat milk to accommodate dairy-free preferences without sacrificing moisture. If you don't have sour cream on hand, Greek yogurt is a suitable alternative that will maintain the cupcake's tender crumb while adding a slight tanginess. When piping the cinnamon frosting, a medium star tip works best to replicate the authentic look and texture, but a round tip can provide a smoother finish if desired. Make sure to sift the cinnamon sugar dusting evenly with a fine mesh sieve for a delicate, uniform topping that enhances the cupcake's warm flavor profile. Your kitchen can adapt these steps seamlessly to recreate this aromatic treat with confidence.
Tips
Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature before creaming with sugar to achieve a light and fluffy cupcake batter. When adding the dry ingredients and milk, mix gently and avoid overmixing to maintain a tender crumb in your Triple Cinnamon Cupcakes. Use an ice cream scoop for evenly portioning batter into cupcake liners, which helps your cupcakes bake uniformly. Once frosted, dust your cupcakes with cinnamon sugar using a fine mesh sieve to ensure a delicate and even layer that enhances both texture and flavor.
Nutritions
The Triple Cinnamon Cupcake from Sprinkles Cupcakes combines ingredients like all-purpose flour, butter, eggs, and cream cheese to provide a balance of carbohydrates, fats, and protein. Cinnamon adds not only flavor but also antioxidants that support digestion and help regulate blood sugar levels. With whole milk and sour cream included, these cupcakes contribute calcium and vitamin D to your diet. Be mindful of the sugar content from granulated and powdered sugars, as it influences overall caloric intake and energy levels.
Storage
Store your Triple Cinnamon Cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their moist texture and preserve the spiced cinnamon frosting's flavor for up to 2 days. For longer freshness, refrigerate the cupcakes in an airtight container for up to one week, but allow them to come to room temperature before serving to enhance the soft, tender crumb experience. Avoid freezing to prevent the delicate frosting and cinnamon sugar dusting from deteriorating.
Variation or Alternatives
To add depth to your Triple Cinnamon Cupcake, consider incorporating finely chopped toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts into the batter for a crunchy texture contrast. You could substitute half of the sour cream with Greek yogurt to create a tangier cupcake that maintains moisture. If you prefer a spicier frosting, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or ground cloves to enhance the cinnamon flavor profile. For a decorative touch, drizzle a simple caramel sauce over the cinnamon sugar dusting to give your cupcakes a rich, indulgent finish.
Allergies
The Triple Cinnamon Cupcake from Sprinkles Cupcakes contains common allergens such as eggs, dairy (butter, whole milk, sour cream, and cream cheese), and wheat (all-purpose flour). If you have allergies to any of these ingredients, you should avoid this treat or check for suitable alternatives. Your safety is important, so always verify ingredient lists and consult with the bakery if you have severe allergies.
Why this recipe?
The Triple Cinnamon Cupcake from Sprinkles Cupcakes is beloved for its perfect blend of warm cinnamon spices in the moist cake and creamy frosting, offering a comforting yet indulgent treat. Its unique balance of sweetness and spice creates a delightful flavor profile that appeals to cinnamon enthusiasts and dessert lovers alike. Replicating this recipe allows you to enjoy the signature taste at home while customizing ingredients to suit your preferences or dietary needs. Trying the copycat version offers a rewarding baking experience and the chance to savor a gourmet cupcake without the wait or cost.