Do you love pumpkin cupcakes? After the stress of the holidays and decluttering, I think it is the perfect time to destress and spend some time on self-care. While many of us may be on diets, it doesn’t mean we can’t indulge and take care of moderation, especially since many studies discuss how portion control and eating the foods you enjoy are important. This was the biggest thing that helped me when I finally started losing weight a couple of years ago. I focus on healthy eating and, occasionally, splurge with homemade desserts (it is better for your health when you can control ingredients).
One of the ways I splurge and take care of myself is by making portion-controlled desserts with some health factor, such as canned pumpkin as an ingredient. Not only are pumpkin cupcakes a better choice for sugary desserts, but they are the sort of dessert everyone in my family will enjoy, no matter what time of year you decide to make these cupcakes. Pumpkin is usually discounted after Christmas, allowing you to stock up on this healthy food staple.
I also love that this simple-to-make pumpkin recipe is excellent for any time of year, letting this girl who loves pumpkin spice have her fill outside of typical ‘pumpkin season.’ I am the weird girl who typically doesn’t go crazy for pumpkin products you buy in stores, especially since I think they are far too sweet. While most of my family loves the typical amount of cream cheese icing on these pumpkin cupcakes, I typically eat them without icing or with only a tiny spread of icing when I want something sweeter. My husband, however, is a cream cheese icing fiend and will happily eat the entire icing before putting it on the cupcakes, meaning that almost no icing ever goes to waste.
Ahem…back to the pumpkin cupcakes. These cupcakes have the right sweetness with a nice pumpkin spice kick, quickly handling your pumpkin fix. Ensure you have all your ingredients ready before you start baking since many must be at room temperature before you start baking (sorry, using them right out of the fridge or softening in the microwave will ruin the texture).
Would you like to try these delicious pumpkin cupcakes for yourself? You can find this easy-to-follow pumpkin recipe below!
Pumpkin Cupcakes Recipe
Sweet & spicy pumpkin cupcakes are perfect for dealing with any sweet craving.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 25
- Total Time: 45 Minutes
Ingredients
Pumpkin Cupcake Ingredients:
1 1/3 cups All Purpose flour
1 1/4 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg
1/4 Teaspoon. Baking Soda
1/8 Teaspoon Ground Cloves
1/3 cup Butter (room temperature)
1 cup Brown Sugar
2 Eggs
1/3 cup Milk
2/3 cup Pumpkin
12 Serving Cupcake Pan
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:
6 Tablespoons Butter (room temperature)
8 oz. Cream Cheese (room temperature)
4 cups Powdered Sugar
1 Teaspoon. Vanilla extract
Cinnamon for Garnish (optional)
Instructions
Directions for Cupcakes:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is preheating, line your 12-serving cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Set aside.
- Mix the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and baking soda using a large mixing bowl (or your Kitchenaid mixer bowl).
- Add butter and light brown sugar to the bowl and start to a large mixing bowl. On medium speed, mix the batter until it has a creamy texture.
- Add eggs, milk, and pumpkin, and mix until well combined. Scrape the sides about halfway through to ensure no pockets of dry ingredients.
- Fill each of the cupcake liners until they are ¾ full with batter. Do not overfill.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes clean.
- Place cupcakes on a wire cooling rack to cool.
Directions for Frosting:
- Add butter, cream cheese, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Beat until creamy (about 1 minute).
- Slowly add in powdered sugar, and mix until well combined
- Increase speed and beat for about 1 minute until smooth and fluffy.
- Add frosting to a piping bag and swirl on the frosting.
- Garnish with cinnamon (optional)
Are you looking for meal ideas for your family or maybe delicious dishes for entertaining guests? Make sure to check out our full list of homemade recipes and food round-ups here!
About Susan Bewley
Susan Bewley is a professional writer who has been writing content online & in print format for over 10 years. As well, she is an alumni of the University of Louisville with a Masters Degree in Special Education. When not working as an online business consultant or ghost writing, she can be found writing on Budget Earth, on her own novel, or working with various entities in the pet industry.