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Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 7 reviews

Delight in the comforting flavors of fall with these Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes topped with luscious Cream Cheese Frosting. Perfectly moist and spiced, these cupcakes combine pumpkin puree, warm spices, and a sweet cream cheese swirl, making them a festive treat for any occasion during the autumn season.

Ingredients

Scale

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

  • 1 1/2 cups cake flour (properly measured by spooning into cup and leveling)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed and room temperature
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/3 cup whole milk, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons molasses
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Spiced Sugar Coating

  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 8 oz full-fat cream cheese, cold
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a metal cupcake pan with 12 cupcake liners to ensure easy removal and baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a stand mixer bowl, combine cake flour, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and sea salt. Add cubed butter and mix on low speed until the mixture resembles coarse sand, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, eggs, vegetable oil, whole milk, molasses, and vanilla bean paste until smooth and incorporated.
  4. Mix Batter: Slowly add wet ingredients to the dry mixture in the stand mixer. Mix until just combined, scrape down the sides, then mix a few seconds longer until uniformly combined.
  5. Portion Batter: Using a scoop or spoon, fill each cupcake liner about 3/4 full with batter. This recipe yields 12 cupcakes.
  6. Bake: Bake the cupcakes for 18 to 25 minutes or until the tops spring back when lightly touched. Remove from oven and cool in the pan on a wire rack.
  7. Prepare Spiced Sugar: While cupcakes bake, combine granulated sugar, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside for coating.
  8. Coat Cupcakes: Once cupcakes are slightly warm, carefully remove liners. Roll the sides and bottoms of each cupcake in the spiced sugar mixture and place on a parchment-lined tray. Set aside.
  9. Make Frosting: In a clean stand mixer bowl, beat the unsalted butter for 1-2 minutes until fluffy. Add cold cream cheese and mix on low speed until just combined.
  10. Add Powdered Sugar: Add powdered sugar in two portions on low speed, then beat on medium-low for 2 minutes until the frosting is white, light, and fluffy.
  11. Finish Frosting: Mix in heavy cream and vanilla bean paste until smooth and well combined.
  12. Frost Cupcakes: Using a piping bag fitted with a large round tip, pipe swirls of cream cheese frosting onto each cupcake.
  13. Final Coating: Gently roll the sides of the frosted cupcakes in the spiced sugar to add a crunchy, flavorful crust.
  14. Optional Presentation: If desired, place frosted cupcakes into new liners for a clean look before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

  • For best results, bring eggs, butter, and milk to room temperature before mixing to ensure even blending.
  • Measure cake flour by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off for accuracy.
  • Use full-fat cream cheese and cold for frosting to achieve proper texture and stability.
  • Molasses adds depth and richness but can be substituted with dark corn syrup if unavailable.
  • Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days due to the cream cheese frosting.
  • Allow cupcakes to come to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin spice cupcakes, cream cheese frosting, fall desserts, pumpkin puree cupcakes, spiced sugar coating

Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/pumpkin-spice-cupcakes-with-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/