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Harry Potter Butterbeer Cupcakes

October 11, 2021 by Ginny Dyer 25 Comments

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Get ready to take a trip to Hogsmeade! These butterbeer cupcakes will take you right into the wizarding world of Harry Potter. They’re soft and fluffy cupcakes flavored with a butterbeer reduction, butterscotch, vanilla and butter flavor, frosted with butterscotch buttercream and drizzled with butterscotch ganache. 

If you're looking for other cupcake recipes check out my salted caramel almond cupcakes, pumpkin cupcakes, best chocolate cupcakes or apple cider cupcakes!

Why You'll Love these Harry Potter Butterbeer Cupcakes

They taste just like butterbeer from the Wizarding World- I recently took a trip to Hogsmeade in Universal Studios and I’m here to tell you these cupcakes taste just like the real deal!

They’re a sweet treat- these are extra sweet cupcakes that are a perfect special treat! They use a butterbeer reduction and butterscotch chips to give them the perfect butterbeer flavor!

They’re fluffy and moist- They've got the best texture.

They're topped with fluffy butterscotch buttercream- This frosting is amazing. It's so smooth and fluffy. Butterscotch chips are melted and combined with whipped butter to make the perfect frosting consistency. Piping it is a dream!

Ingredients for Harry Potter Butterbeer Cupcakes

  • Butter- make sure it’s softened 
  • Light Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar- used to sweeten the cupcakes
  • Eggs- make sure they’re room temperature 
  • Vanilla- as always I recommend vanilla bean paste for the best taste 
  • Butter Extract- absolutely essential to taste like the real deal!
  • Butterbeer- I use Flying Cauldron butterscotch beer but if you can’t find it, cream soda will work as well
  • Butterscotch Chips- melted and added into the cupcake batter and frosting, I use Toll House
  • Buttermilk- keeps the cupcakes moist, make sure it’s room temperature 
  • Flour- all purpose is used for the best texture
  • Baking Powder & Baking Soda- give the cupcakes they’re fluffy texture 
  • Salt- just a little brings out all the flavors 
  • Powdered Sugar- used in the frosting 
  • Honey- just a little is used for the butterscotch ganache drizzle 

Step by Step Instructions

See recipe below for complete measurements and baking time. 

STEP ONE: Reduce the butterbeer 

STEP TWO: Cream butter and sugar 

STEP THREE: Add in eggs, vanilla and butter extract

STEP FOUR: Mix in butterbeer reduction and melted butterscotch chips

STEP FIVE: Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt

STEP SIX: Add dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet ingredients and combine 

STEP SEVEN: Divide batter between 24 lined cupcake pan wells and bake 

STEP EIGHT: Make frosting by whipping butter and mixing in melted butterscotch chips. Then add in powdered sugar. Mix until fluffy. 

STEP NINE: Make butterscotch ganache by melting butterscotch chips and cream. Then mix in honey. 

STEP TEN: Pipe a generous amount of frosting into each cupcake and drizzle with butterscotch ganache. 

See recipe below for complete measurements and baking time. 

FAQs

Can I reduce the amount of sugar? No you can not. Sugar adds moisture to cupcakes and if you reduce the amount the recipe calls for the cupcakes won’t have the same texture, and might not bake properly. 

What if I can’t find butterscotch beer? You can use cream soda for a very similar taste. 

Do I have to reduce the butterscotch beer? Yes you do. This adds the most butterbeer flavor to the cupcakes. 

How do I store the cupcakes? Store cupcakes in a airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Let the cupcakes come to room temperature before enjoying. 

Can these be made gluten free? I’ve only tested this recipe with regular flour, but if you make them gluten free please let me know how they come out!

Pro Tips

On melting the butterscotch chips: They should be melted and slightly cooled for the cupcake batter and buttercream. You want to make sure they're completely melted and slightly warm to the touch. Too warm and you could melt the butter while the making the buttercream. If they're too chilled it can cause little clumps of butterscotch chips in the batter and frosting.

Make sure all wet ingredients are room temperature. This will give you the best textured cupcakes!

Make sure to really whip your butter when making the buttercream. It should double in size and be super pale in color before adding in the melted butterscotch chips or powdered sugar.

If you make these cupcakes tag me on Instagram @inbloombakery_ so I can see your creations! Follow me on Pinterest for other dessert recipes!

Also, please leave me a review if you make these cupcakes! It would be so, so helpful and allow me to more easily keep creating delicious recipes for you all!

Other Recipes to Try

Best Chocolate Cupcakes

Apple Cider Cupcakes

Pumpkin Cupcakes

Salted Caramel Almond Cupcakes

Harry Potter Butterbeer Cupcakes

These butterbeer cupcakes will take you right into the wizarding world of Harry Potter. They’re soft and fluffy cupcakes flavored with a butterbeer reduction, butterscotch, vanilla and butter flavor, frosted with butterscotch buttercream and drizzled with butterscotch ganache. 
5 from 26 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 45 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Course Dessert
Servings 24 cupcakes

Ingredients
 

For the Butterbeer Cupcakes

  • 3 cups (710 ml) butterscotch beer (cream soda will work also)
  • ½ cup (112 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (110 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated white sugar
  • 2 eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
  • 1 teaspoon butter extract
  • ⅓ cup (56 g) butterscotch chips, melted and slightly cooled
  • ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk, at room temperature
  • 1 ¾ cups (219 g) all purpose flour, spooned and leveled then sifted
  • 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt

For the Butterscotch Buttercream

  • 1 ½ cups (336 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (170 g) butterscotch chips, melted and slightly cooled
  • 2 ¼ cups (290 g) powdered sugar, measured then sifted
  • ¾ teaspoon butter extract
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla

For the Butterscotch Ganache Drizzle

  • ¼ cup (42 g) butterscotch chips
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream
  • ½ tablespoon honey

Instructions
 

For the Butterbeer Cupcakes

  • Add the butterscotch beer or cream soda to a large pot. Simmer over medium heat until it reduces to ½ cup. This usually takes around 20-30 minutes. Remove from the heat and let it cool until it's just slightly warm to the touch before using in the cupcakes.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 standard cupcake pans, or one large 24 cup capacity pan, with liners. Set aside.
  • In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl cream the butter, brown sugar and granulated white sugar together with an electric mixer, or a stand mixer, for 1-2 minutes or until fluffy.
  • Add in the eggs, vanilla and butter extract and mix until pale in color, about 1-2 minutes.
  • Add in the butterbeer reduction and melted and slightly cooled butterscotch chips. Mix until combined.
  • Add in the dry ingredients and buttermilk a little at a time until everything is combined. Mix until the batter is smooth.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the 24 liners, each should be about ⅔ way full.
  • Bake the cupcakes for 14-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the centers. (They will bake quickly.)
  • Let the cupcakes cool in the pan(s) for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to completely cool.

For the Butterscotch Buttercream

  • Add the softened unsalted butter to a large bowl. Whip the butter with an electric mixer until pale in color and fluffy, around 5-10 minutes.
  • Add in the melted and slightly cooled butterscotch chips and combine. (The chips should be completely melted but just slightly warm to the touch.)
  • Add in the powdered sugar a cup at a time or so and mix until combined.
  • Lastly add in the butter extract and vanilla and mix the frosting until light and fluffy, about one more minute.

For the Butterscotch Ganache

  • Add the butterscotch chips and heavy cream to a microwave safe bowl.
  • Microwave for 30-45 seconds. Stir to combine the cream and melted butterscotch chips. (Microwave a few seconds longer if needed to completely melt together.)
  • Then mix in the honey.
  • If the ganache gets too cold before using, microwave it for 5-10 seconds to melt it slightly.

Assembling the Cupcakes

  • Once the cupcakes are completely cooled add the butterscotch buttercream to a large piping bag fitted with a decorative tip.
  • Pipe a generous amount of frosting onto each cupcake and drizzle the butterscotch ganache over each.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Comments

  1. Jessica

    November 27, 2021 at 1:46 pm

    These are delicious cupcakes. Only thing is I did not get 24 out of them they make about 18. Also they have a really good rise so you barely need to even fill the pans 2/3rd of the way. I made them twice and still got the same result both times could not get 24.

  2. Ginny Dyer

    November 27, 2021 at 10:28 pm

    Hi Jessica! Thanks for trying them out! They are one of my favorite recipes I've developed because I LOVE HP hehe 🙂

    Something I've learned quite recently is that depending on how long you beat the eggs into the butter/sugar will determine how much batter you end up with. When I made these cupcakes I tested them 6 times in total and I tried filling only 18 or 20 but it always resulted in the cups being overfilled! So any given cupcake recipe can result in less or more than the stated yield amount, that's why I always just indicate how full to fill the liners. I had this happen to me the other day too while making a cupcake recipe I've made 100 times, the batter ended up being more than usual even though I measured everything properly and exactly the same as I always do. It was because I mixed the eggs into the sugar/butter for longer than I usually do not realizing! Something very interesting that I'm only now learning!

  3. JM

    November 29, 2021 at 11:10 pm

    5 stars
    So good!

  4. Anonymous

    November 30, 2021 at 8:57 pm

    5 stars
    Yum i love Harry Potter too!

  5. Trisha Silver

    December 01, 2021 at 1:16 am

    5 stars
    Beautiful and delicious recipe! Thanks!

  6. Anu

    January 28, 2022 at 3:05 am

    5 stars
    Amazing recipe! So easy to follow and tastes so so good.

  7. Seanna

    January 30, 2022 at 5:51 pm

    Do you sift the flour first then measure out the 1 3/4 cup flour from that or do you measure 1 3/4 cup flour and then sift it? Same question for the powdered sugar.

  8. Ginny Dyer

    January 30, 2022 at 9:00 pm

    Hey Seanna. Measure the flour, then sift. Make sure to spoon and level you flour also. I'm also going to make some more clarify notations on the recipe along with gram measurements 🙂

  9. Kat

    February 13, 2022 at 12:24 am

    5 stars
    These cupcakes are fantastic and the frosting is absolutely out of this world delicious. Everyone I shared them with absolutely loved them. Definitely a treat we will repeat often! Thanks for sharing such wonderful cupcake recipes!

  10. Isakira

    March 09, 2022 at 11:38 am

    Hi
    Do you think I could use this sponge recipe to make a tall 3 or 4 layer birthday cake? If so, how would I alter the cooking time please?

  11. Ginny Dyer

    March 11, 2022 at 4:02 pm

    Hi there!

    Yes, you definitely could! I have never tested it as a layer cake, but I think you could make it into a three layer six inch cake. I'm not sure about the exact baking time, but I would suggest starting with 25 minutes at 350 degrees and checking every few minutes after that for doneness. Hope this helps!

  12. Anonymous

    May 13, 2022 at 1:11 pm

    5 stars
    I just made these, without knowing anything about the baker, (I'm very careful where I get my recipes), but I will say, I was overly pleased on the Harry Potter cupcakes, and mostly, the frosting! I don't like overly sweet desserts, and this one was perfect.

  13. Becky

    May 19, 2022 at 6:01 pm

    5 stars
    I absolutely loved this recipe and I'm very cautious where I get my recipes from. I took a chance on trying yours, never heard or saw you anywhere, but the name peaked my interest, (Harry Potter), so I tried them, frosting, caramel as well, and I loved, loved this recipe. The frosting really got to me. My husband said, it melts in your mouth. Simple but elegant, were his exact words! Thank You Becky, Fremont Sweets

  14. Linda Treadwell

    May 30, 2022 at 9:21 pm

    5 stars
    I made these today, after reading the comments. I made sure I whipped the butter and sugar well, before moving on with the recipe. So I made exactly 24 cupcakes, and didn't have any issues. My family can't stop eating them, too. Delicious! I wish I could include a picture. Thanks!

  15. Lisa

    August 29, 2022 at 12:41 am

    I just made these. They taste good, but I had an issue with them sinking. I was trying out before my kids party in a couple weeks. Any suggestions to correct this?

  16. Kat

    October 09, 2022 at 3:18 pm

    5 stars
    I made these last fall and my entire family loved them! This year, I tried them with King Arthur Gluten-Free Flour (for some friends/fam with gluten sensitivities/allergies) and they turned out amazingly well--just more moist and dense than the original! So to those wondering if they can be made GF, the answer is: absolutely!

  17. Anonymous

    October 13, 2022 at 11:22 pm

    5 stars
    So amazing!

  18. Rachel

    October 21, 2022 at 3:25 am

    So I tried to make these but the batter was like soup. Is that supposed to happen? How can I fix that?

  19. April

    October 22, 2022 at 12:37 am

    What tip did you use for the frosting? Thank you!

  20. Ginny Dyer

    October 22, 2022 at 2:21 pm

    Hey April! Wilton 1M! 🙂

  21. Abby

    October 22, 2022 at 10:11 pm

    How many four inch cakes do you think this would make? They look delicious!

  22. Sandra M

    November 14, 2022 at 3:31 am

    Sounds delicious…I’m not a baker at all…and haven’t found butterbeer near me…wondering what’s the purpose of the butterbeer reduction, is it all flavor, or is that 1/2 cup essential for the crumb/moisture of the cupcakes? Thanks in advance, love this flavor profile, hope to make some soon for my son’s Harry Potter themed birthday!

  23. Kristina Van Amerongen

    December 01, 2022 at 4:00 pm

    Can I use butterscotch extract instead of the beer and add wet content in another form, like water or something? Or is it the contents of the beer itself that give it flavor?

  24. Ginny Dyer

    December 01, 2022 at 7:15 pm

    Hi Kristina! I have not tested the cupcakes without the butterscotch beer so I can't say for sure how they'd turn out. The butterscotch beer adds flavor and moisture to the cupcakes.

  25. Gina

    December 05, 2022 at 11:56 pm

    5 stars
    I made this as a 2 layer 8 inch cake for my nephew’s birthday. It was so fun! My husband said it was amazing, and my 80 yr old MIL said it was out of this world! Thanks for the great recipes, Ginny!

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Hi there, I'm Ginny!

I'm the baker and food photographer behind In Bloom Bakery! Here you'll find elevated, delicious desserts for every home baker. Whether you're looking for classics like chocolate chip cookies, or something new and exciting like blueberry lavender cake, you'll find it all here. Happy baking friends.

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