As the leaves start to turn and the air gets crisp, it’s time to break out the pumpkin spice. And what better way to do so than with these easy pumpkin spice cupcakes with cream cheese frosting? This recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, with a creamy frosting that will have you licking the bowl. So grab your apron and let’s get baking!
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In a large bowl, beat together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
- While the cupcakes are baking, make the cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Once the cupcakes are done baking, let them cool completely before frosting with the cream cheese frosting.
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1 cupcake
Calories: 290
Total Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 45mg
Sodium: 190mg
Total Carbohydrates: 38g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 29g
Protein: 3g
Cooking Time:
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Baking Time: 18-20 minutes
Total Time: 40-45 minutes
Equipment:
- Muffin tin
- Cupcake liners
- Medium bowl
- Large bowl
- Electric mixer
- Cooling rack
Serving Suggestions:
These pumpkin spice cupcakes are perfect for any fall celebration or as a special treat for yourself. Serve them at your next Halloween party or Thanksgiving dinner, or enjoy them with a hot cup of coffee on a crisp autumn morning.
Variations:
If you want to mix things up, try adding chopped nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips to the batter before baking. You could also top the cupcakes with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar or drizzle them with caramel sauce.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have canned pumpkin puree, you can use fresh pumpkin that has been roasted and mashed. You could also substitute applesauce or mashed banana for some or all of the oil in the recipe. And if you’re not a fan of cream cheese frosting, you could try a vanilla or maple buttercream instead.
Storage:
Store the cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months. To thaw, simply let them sit at room temperature for a few hours.
Tips:
- Be sure to let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting, or the frosting will melt and slide off.
- Don’t overmix the batter or the cupcakes will be tough. Mix until just combined.
- If you’re using fresh pumpkin, be sure to drain off any excess liquid before adding it to the batter.
Notes:
This recipe makes about 12 cupcakes, but you can easily double or triple it if you need more. And if you’re feeling extra fancy, you could pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes using a pastry bag and tip.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use pumpkin pie spice instead of the individual spices?
Yes, you can substitute 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice for the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?
Yes, you can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour.
Can I use a different type of frosting?
Yes, you can use any frosting you like. Cream cheese frosting just happens to be a classic pairing with pumpkin.
These easy pumpkin spice cupcakes with cream cheese frosting are the perfect fall treat. They’re moist, flavorful, and topped with a creamy frosting that will make your taste buds dance. Whether you’re hosting a fall party or just want a special treat, these cupcakes are sure to please. So grab your apron and get baking!