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Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
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Tender and moist Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting, infused with warm fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. These cupcakes balance rich, spiced pumpkin flavor with a tangy, creamy frosting, making them perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy treats.

Ingredients

Scale

Cupcake Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for gluten-free version)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (or pure maple syrup for variation)
  • 2 large eggs (or flax eggs for vegan version)
  • ½ cup vegetable oil (or coconut oil for vegan version)
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée (canned or fresh roasted & pureed)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened (or dairy-free cream cheese for vegan version)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (or dairy-free butter substitute for vegan version)
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with paper liners for even baking and easy cleanup.
  2. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves until well combined.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the granulated sugar and vegetable oil until smooth. Stir in the pumpkin purée and vanilla extract.
  4. Bring It All Together: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
  5. Bake the Cupcakes: Divide the batter evenly among the lined cupcake wells. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let them cool completely before frosting.
  6. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until silky and spreadable.
  7. Frost and Decorate: Use a spatula or piping bag to generously frost each cupcake. Optionally, sprinkle with cinnamon or chopped nuts for a charming finish.

Notes

  • Ensure eggs, cream cheese, and butter are at room temperature to blend evenly and prevent lumps.
  • Mix the batter just until all ingredients are incorporated to keep cupcakes tender and avoid dense texture.
  • Test cupcakes early with a toothpick to prevent overbaking, which can dry out the crumb.
  • If frosting is too soft, chill briefly before piping to make decorating easier.
  • Use freshly ground spices for the best flavor impact and authentic pumpkin spice aroma.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin cupcakes, cream cheese frosting, fall dessert, pumpkin spice, autumn cupcakes, easy pumpkin recipe

Find it online: https://juliaglam.com/pumpkin-cupcakes-with-cream-cheese-frosting/