Horchata Cupcakes – Sweet, Cinnamon-Spiced, and Comforting
If you’ve ever sipped a chilled glass of horchata and thought, “This would taste amazing as a dessert,” then horchata cupcakes are your dream come true.
Inspired by the classic Mexican rice-based drink, these cupcakes are spiced with cinnamon, moistened with almond or rice milk, and often finished with a creamy cinnamon frosting.
I suggest adding a splash of vanilla and using ground rice flour or almond flour for a hint of authenticity. They’re comforting, warm, and perfect with coffee or tea.
Prep & Bake Details
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time | Servings | Course | Cuisine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 mins | 18 mins | 43 mins | 12 | Dessert | Mexican-American |
Ingredients for 12 & 6 Cupcakes
| Ingredient | 12 Cupcakes | 6 Cupcakes | Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 1 1/4 cups | 2/3 cup | Almond or rice flour blend |
| Granulated sugar | 3/4 cup | 1/3 cup | Coconut sugar |
| Butter (softened) | 1/2 cup | 1/4 cup | Vegan butter |
| Eggs | 2 | 1 | Flax eggs |
| Rice or almond milk | 1/2 cup | 1/4 cup | Oat milk |
| Ground cinnamon | 1 1/2 tsp | 3/4 tsp | Nutmeg blend |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp | 1/2 tsp | Almond extract |
| Baking powder | 1 1/2 tsp | 3/4 tsp | Do not skip |
Tools You’ll Need
| Tool | Alternative |
|---|---|
| Muffin tin & liners | Silicone cupcake molds |
| Mixing bowls | Any large clean containers |
| Electric mixer | Whisk (manual effort) |
| Measuring cups | Kitchen scale |
How to Make Horchata Cupcakes
Before we jump into each step, get your ingredients prepped and line your muffin tins.
The flavor of these cupcakes comes from a combo of cinnamon, vanilla, and the subtle nuttiness of the milk.
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a mixing bowl, cream 1/2 cup softened butter and 3/4 cup sugar until fluffy. Beat in 2 eggs one at a time. Stir in 1 tsp vanilla.
Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients and Milk
In a separate bowl, whisk 1 1/4 cups flour with 1.5 tsp baking powder and 1.5 tsp cinnamon.
Alternate adding dry ingredients and 1/2 cup almond or rice milk into the wet mixture. Mix until just combined.
Step 3: Bake the Cupcakes
Scoop the batter into lined muffin tins and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 18–20 minutes. Check with a toothpick—it should come out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
Step 4: Frost & Decorate
Top with cinnamon buttercream (made from butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a dash of cinnamon).
You can even sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top or pipe a swirl and place a cinnamon stick for flair.
Serving & Decoration Tips
- Add a dusting of cinnamon sugar before serving.
- Pipe frosting with a star tip for a bakery-style swirl.
- Serve with hot coffee, spiced tea, or chilled horchata for full effect.
Flavor Variations to Try
- Churro Horchata Cupcakes: Coat the frosting lightly in cinnamon sugar and insert a mini churro stick.
- Chocolate Horchata Cupcakes: Add 2 tbsp of cocoa powder to the batter and top with mocha frosting.
- Coconut Horchata Cupcakes: Replace almond milk with coconut milk and top with toasted coconut shreds.
Storing Tips
- Store at room temp in airtight container for 2 days.
- Refrigerate (frosted) up to 5 days.
- Freeze unfrosted cupcakes up to 2 months, thaw and frost fresh.
Extra Tips
- Use a bit of almond extract for more nutty depth.
- Don’t overmix or the cupcakes will turn dense.
- Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting to avoid melting.
Mistakes & Quick Fixes
| Mistake | Problem | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Using cold butter | Won’t cream properly | Let butter sit out 20 mins before use |
| Overbaking | Dry, crumbly cupcakes | Check at 18 mins with toothpick |
| Skipping spices | Lacks horchata flavor | Use at least 1 tsp cinnamon |
FAQs
Can I use store-bought horchata?
Yes! Just replace the milk with horchata for a more intense flavor.
What frosting works best?
Cinnamon buttercream or cream cheese frosting works great.
Can I make these vegan?
Yes, use flax eggs and vegan butter/milk.
Do they freeze well?
Freeze without frosting for best texture.
Let’s Bake a Batch Worth Sharing
These horchata cupcakes are warm, spiced, and everything you love about the drink in dessert form.
I suggest baking a batch to brighten your day and sharing them with friends or family—they won’t last long!
