Apple Cider Cupcakes

What You Need:

• 2 cups cider simmered down to ¾ cup
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Dash of salt
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• Small saucepan
• Muffin tin and liners
• Mixing bowl
• Spatula
• Powdered sugar

What You Do:

1. Start by inviting your child to sample some of his favorite apple cider. Ask him about the flavor of the cider and how he thinks it is made.
2. Offer your child a measuring cup to measure and add 2 cups of the cider into a small saucepan and then simmer for about 20 minutes until the cider has reduced to about ¾ cup of liquid. Reducing a liquid is the process of using heat to evaporate liquid, creating less of the liquid, but with greater flavor.
3. Now your child can create the cupcake batter by measuring and adding the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, and sugar to a mixing bowl and giving it a good stir.
4. Next he can measure and add the reduced cider, oil, and also the eggs. Invite him to stir the ingredients until they are well incorporated, working all those muscles in his hands and arms!
5. While getting out the muffin tin and muffin liners, your child can pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. Invite your child to place the muffin liners in the muffin tin and then carefully spoon the batter into the cups.
7. Now your child can place the cupcakes in the oven for about 15 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.
8. After the cupcakes have cooled, he can sprinkle the tops with powdered sugar, or ice the tops with pre-made cream cheese frosting!

Did You Know:

Apple cider has been a popular drink for hundreds of years? Johnny Appleseed helped make apple orchards plentiful in the Midwest, popularizing the drink.