Flavor of the Week: Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

You knew it was coming. It was as inevitable as getting gray hair. Although, much more exciting.

I actually sort of like gray hair, by the way.

And if you are one of those folks who never got and never will get gray hair well, just keep it to yourself ok. :)

I made these little babies as giveaway treats for the grand opening of me and my sister's new store. They are the first thing I ever baked using a commercial convection oven.

Which was sort of an amazing expereince. Here's the story: I rent kitchen space at a local commercial kitchen. That way I adhere to the food code but didn't have to put up with the overhead of buying my own kitchen. The manager of the kitchen I rent (Joe) has been going on and on about how the oven will put a rise on my baked goods like I wouldn't believe.

I thought he was being dramatic. What a dork, I thought.

But he was right. He was oh-so-right. I love the convection oven. I might marry it.

Till death due us part.

Or until my lease is up...

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes. Makes around 24 minis.

Ingredients: 3/4 cup softened butter, 1 2/3 cup flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon cloves, 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup (granulated, white) sugar and 2 large eggs.

For the frosting: 8 oz softened cream cheese, 1 1/2 to 2 cups powdered sugar and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla.

For the cupcakes cream together softened butter and the sugars. Add the eggs one at a time and then the pumpkin, mixing well and scrapping down the sides of the bowl as you go. In a seperate bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Add the dry mix to the pumpkin/butter mix in 2 batches and stir until just combined.

Line your baking pan and fill cups 2/3 full. Bake at 325 for 15-18 minutes, until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

For the frosting cream together the cream cheese and vanilla. Sift in 1/2 cup powdered sugar at a time and cream until you get the consistency you want. I tend to lean toward the least amount of sugar needed to acheieve a frosting consistency. I love sugar but too much can over powder a good frosting.

Recipe slight adapted from Martha Stewart's Pumpkin-Brown Butter Cupcakes.

Comments

[AlyssaG]

my boyfriend loves everything pumpkin and i love mini cupcakes! these look amazing! congrats on the opening of the store! :)

[Panduh]

Thanks for sharing this! They look amazing and I can't wait to try these out for myself when I bake them this week. [=

[Nadine]

I really need to try this!

[Cara-Mia]

Thank you for this recipe! I've already tried two pumpkin cupcake recipes with horrible results. I don't know what I'm doing wrong!! I'm going to give these a shot as I still have canned pumpkin puree.

[Alexa]

I need to try these!

[Ilze]

this is so wrong. you living there (USA), me living here(Europe)...i started to read your blog just last nigh (my night, your morning), and about 2 am, when i came across that post on your purse and pipe... well... this big blue ocean between 2 continents ... so wrong. means no bubble te for me, no cupcakes... but someday i'll get there. and spend some money on bubble tea and cupcakes. and some vintage "whatever you've got there". till that time -- keep blogging. you are cool. and so is your sister.

[Bekka]

So much better than gray hair...I should know, because I found my first one on my 16th birthday. (Cake would have been much more enjoyable!)

[Cari]

i tried this recipe and they were delicious! thanks for sharing! :)

[cassijean]

Holy yummy! Will definitely be trying these this weekend. Needed the perfect adorable dessert for my parent's 25th wedding anniversary dinner :)

[nikki]

I love this! & how sweet you are to share the recipe with those of us not lucky enough to live in Springfield & taste the real deal!

[Kristin]

Ooooh! Thanks for the recipe. And yes, the snickerdoodle cupcake i got opening night of RVA was amazing! I can't wait to come back in and try some other flavors. Delish!

[Holly]

Mmm, I think I will be making these VERY soon! And convection ovens are awesome, we just got one.

[Cara-Mia]

BTW I tried these tonight & they came out great! Even made a post about them: http://literateandstylish.tumblr.com/post/1512934702/made-these-little-cupcakes-tonight-with-cream#disqus_thread

Thanks again!