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Pumpkin Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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★★★★★

4.2 from 30 reviews

These moist and flavorful Pumpkin Cupcakes are perfectly spiced and topped with a rich brown sugar cream cheese frosting. Ideal for autumn celebrations or whenever you crave a deliciously seasonal treat, these cupcakes combine classic pumpkin spices with a tender crumb and creamy frosting.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 170 g all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice (see notes below to make your own)
  • 225 g dark brown sugar

Wet Ingredients

  • 280 g pumpkin purée (room temperature)
  • 75 g vegetable oil (room temperature)
  • 2 eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 200 g butter
  • 15 g dark brown sugar
  • 100 g full-fat cream cheese
  • 345 g powdered sugar (sifted)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your conventional oven to 160ºC (320ºF). Line a 12-cup cupcake tray with cupcake liners to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, dark brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin spice, and salt. Stir to evenly distribute all dry components.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together pumpkin purée, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients bowl. With a whisk or rubber spatula, gently stir until the batter is uniform and no dry flour patches remain, taking care not to overmix.
  5. Fill Cupcake Liners and Bake: Evenly divide the batter among the 12 cupcake liners. Bake in the preheated oven for 23 to 24 minutes, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Cool the Cupcakes: Remove the cupcakes from the oven and place them on a cooling rack. After about 5 minutes, gently remove them from the tray and allow to cool completely to room temperature before frosting.
  7. Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting – Reduce Moisture: If in Europe, place cream cheese between paper towels to absorb excess moisture to ensure perfect frosting texture.
  8. Prepare Frosting Ingredients: Take butter and cream cheese out of the refrigerator 10 minutes prior to use to reach room temperature. Cut the butter into cubes for easier mixing. Sift the powdered sugar to remove lumps.
  9. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the cubed butter and dark brown sugar on high speed for 5 minutes. Scrape down the bowl sides and continue mixing for an additional 2 minutes to ensure fluffiness.
  10. Add Vanilla and Cream Cheese: Add the vanilla extract and cream cheese to the butter mixture. Cream together for 1 minute until smooth and well incorporated.
  11. Incorporate Powdered Sugar: Lower the mixer speed and gradually add the sifted powdered sugar in two parts. Mix thoroughly after each addition, scraping the bowl sides as needed. After adding all sugar, mix on high speed for 2 more minutes until fluffy.
  12. Frost Cupcakes: Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a round tip such as Wilton 1A. Pipe the frosting neatly onto the cooled cupcakes. Optionally, decorate with fondant pumpkins or a light dusting of pumpkin spice or cinnamon for festive flair.

Notes

  • To make your own pumpkin spice, combine cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves in your preferred ratios.
  • Use room temperature ingredients to ensure the batter mixes evenly and yields tender cupcakes.
  • Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting or sliding of the frosting.
  • The cream cheese frosting can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days; bring to room temperature and re-whip before use.
  • If cream cheese is too moist, especially in humid regions like Europe, draining it between paper towels will improve frosting consistency.

Keywords: Pumpkin Cupcakes, Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes, Cream Cheese Frosting, Autumn Desserts, Halloween Treats

Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/pumpkin-cupcakes-with-brown-sugar-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/