Pumpkin cupcakes are a perfect autumn or fall treat, and they can be a delightful addition to any seasonal celebration. Here’s a simple recipe for homemade pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting:

Ingredients:

For the Pumpkin Cupcakes:

  • 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 nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 8 oz (1 package) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

For the Pumpkin Cupcakes:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all the spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger). Set aside.
  3. In a separate large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  5. Stir in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract until well combined.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until the batter is just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  7. Fill the cupcake liners about 2/3 full with the batter.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. The baking time may vary, so be sure to check for doneness.
  9. Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  1. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
  2. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.

To Assemble:

Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, pipe or spread the cream cheese frosting on top of each cupcake. You can also garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavor and decoration.

Enjoy your homemade pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, a delightful seasonal treat for any occasion!