Description
Luxurious pumpkin cupcakes dance with rich brown butter cream cheese frosting, creating autumn’s most irresistible dessert. Warm spices and smooth cream cheese deliver a delectable bite you’ll crave all season long.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
Notes:
- Pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by warming it to 350°F (175°C) and positioning paper liners inside a standard muffin tray.
- Create a delicate dry ingredient blend by thoroughly whisking together flour, baking powder, aromatic ground cinnamon, warming nutmeg, and zesty ginger in a medium mixing bowl.
- In a separate vessel, construct a vibrant wet mixture by blending pumpkin puree, granulated and brown sugars, eggs, neutral vegetable oil, and smooth milk until the texture becomes uniform and silky.
- Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring with minimal agitation to maintain a light, tender cupcake texture. Avoid overmixing to prevent dense results.
- Carefully distribute the cupcake batter into prepared liners, filling each approximately two-thirds full to allow proper rising during baking.
- Transfer the muffin tray to the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, monitoring until a inserted toothpick emerges clean and the tops appear golden and slightly springy.
- Remove cupcakes from the oven and allow complete cooling on a wire rack, ensuring the surface temperature returns to ambient.
- Craft the decadent frosting by carefully browning butter until it develops a rich, nutty aroma, then whip with softened cream cheese until creamy and integrated.
- Gradually incorporate powdered sugar and vanilla extract into the butter-cheese mixture, beating until the frosting achieves a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Once cupcakes have thoroughly cooled, generously apply the brown butter cream cheese frosting using a spatula or piping bag for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Brown the butter carefully to develop a rich, nutty flavor without burning, watching the color change from yellow to golden brown while stirring constantly.
- Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and cream cheese to ensure smoother mixing and better texture in both cupcakes and frosting.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent tough, dense cupcakes; stop stirring as soon as dry and wet ingredients are just combined.
- For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a blend of almond and gluten-free flour mix, which maintains moisture and tender crumb.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg