[pinterest]
Fall is my favorite time of year and these cupcakes are just what I need to get in the mood. The shadows are lengthening and out here in San Francisco, the air is more humid than usual and it’s warmer. When I lived on the East Coast, the arrival of Fall was all about feeling a cold nip in the air. Here in San Francisco where the summers are freezing, it’s quite the opposite. The weather heats up as the leaves are turning brown.
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed firmly
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- pinch of salt
- ½ cup milk
- 1½ cups pure pumpkin puree
- For the frosting:
- 1 package cream cheese
- 1½ sticks (12 Tbsp) unsalted butter
- ⅔ cup light brown sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 tsp cinnamon, plus extra for garnish
- Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Line cupcake tray (24) with paper liners.
- In a standing mixer, cream the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar on high speed until fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla and mix at a medium speed until well blended.
- In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Add about a third of the dry ingredients to wet, alternating with the milk, until all are incorporated. Add pumpkin puree and mix well.
- Fill cupcakes two-thirds full and bake for 18 – 22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let stand for a couple of minutes. Then remove from muffin tin and let cool completely.
- To make the frosting:
- Let the cream cheese and butter soften before creaming them together on high speed with a mixer. Cream in the sugar, vanilla and cinnamon until smooth and light. Chill in the fridge overnight (or at least for a few hours) to let it set.
- Spread on cupcakes and garnish with a pinch of cinnamon.