Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Pumpkin Cupcakes

Keeping in line with my Afternoon Snack theme, today could be the pinnacle.  We are anxiously awaiting autumn here in Austin.   We've had 70 days over 100 degrees with temperatures reaching upwards of 107 degrees plus we're in a severe drought.   Things aren't green nor are there any indications of fall - everything is brown, dry and cracking.   However, in my home this afternoon, it SMELLED like fall.   I just couldn't resist packed pumpkin and created my Pumpkin Cupcakes.   I used orange papers too and could almost envision the cooler temps and falling leaves.   These are yummy, with a dollop of cream cheese frosting, and dusted with fresh grated nutmeg.   If these don't scream fall, I don't know what will.   The neighborhood kids (big and small) seem to think so!!!

Pumpkin Cupcakes

Ingredients:
  • 1/2 C butter, room temperature
  • 1 C brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 t vanilla
  • 1 1/2 C flour
  • 1 t soda
  • 1 t salt
  • 1 t ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 t ground cloves
  • 1/2 t fresh grated nutmeg
  • 1 1/4 C packed pumpkin
  • 3/4 C butter milk
Cream Cheese Frosting:
  • 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
  • 4 T butter, softened
  • 1 T vanilla
  • 3 C confectioners sugar
  • fresh grated nutmeg for garnish
Directions:   Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin cups with papers.   In a medium bowl, sift together flour, soda, salt, ground spices and set aside.   In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.   Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each one.   Add vanilla and scrape down sides of bowl.   On low speed, alternate adding the flour mixture and pumpkin, in about three additions.   Finally add buttermilk and mix well.


Using an ice cream scoop, fill cupcake papers 2/3 way full (depending on the scoop size, about 2 scoops).   Bake in oven for 18 minutes.   Place on wire rack to cool before frosting.


For cream cheese frosting, beat the cream cheese until smooth then add the butter and vanilla and mix well.  Add the confectioners sugar a cup at a time and beat until fluffy.   Pipe onto the cupcakes and sprinkle with fresh grated nutmeg as a garnish.   Makes 24 cupcakes or 48 mini cupcakes!

16 comments:

Buttercream Blondie said...

70 days over 100 degrees -I don't know how you deal! Hope you guys get some relief soon. I love everything pumpkin & these cupcakes look perfect!

janet@cupcakestocaviar said...

I've been in a Pumpkin frame of mind too so I know what you mean. These look like a delicious way to usher in the season! :-)

Anonymous said...

It's been super hot up in KS too! Bring on fall & all things pumpkin!!!

Erin said...

Wow - these look delicious! We love pumpkin flavors here. I just posted about pumpkin today too! I am ready for fall, not winter... but fall!

RavieNomNoms said...

Now these are a cupcake I can get behind! I just saw another recipe for pumpkin cake balls and that looked good too. I like it when pumpkin is used in something else besides pie, because I detest pumpkin pie! These look great!

Lauren at Keep It Sweet said...

Yum, can't wait to go into pumpkin overload!

Sandra said...

Oh these look so delicious..great recipe, and photos too!

Elyse @The Cultural Dish said...

I cannot wait for fall to start! I love all of the flavors of fall so much and your cupcakes are making me crave pumpkin!

The Farmers Wife said...

I'm in a total fall mood myself lately, and am dying to bake with pumpkin! Those looks so good... Just what I'm craving!

Cookin' Cowgirl said...

Yum yum yum!! Just posted some pumpkin whoopie pies today....I'm ready for fall! :)
http://cookincowgirl.blogspot.com/2011/08/cowgirl-football-whoopie-pies.html

Kelly | Eat Yourself Skinny said...

Yummy! These pumpkin cupcakes look absolutely delicious! What a great recipe! :)

Jennifer [To PIN/share a Post, Click the 3 dots or the Red SAVE Button] said...

I think I will make a lower carb version of these - super sounding! I can't believe the hot weather you are having and the drought sounds awful. I hope you get relief from that soon; Fall is just around the corner and already in your kitchen.

Stacey Rider said...

@Jennifer - please forward your lower carb version to me... it's always nice to be able to offer a recipe either "fully leaded" or "low carb". Awesome! Anxiously awaiting fall...

Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen said...

Yes Fall/Autumn is definitely in the air. What a lovely way to welcome it with these gorgeous cupcakes!

Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. said...

Pumpkin cupcakes are one of my faves! These look super tasty! I too, cannot wait for fall. I bought a apple cinnamon candle the other day and it makes our house smell like the fall. Oh, it can't come soon enough!

Claire @ The Realistic Nutritionist said...

These look so flavorful and moist! Mmm!