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Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Elina James
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Desserts
Cuisine American
Servings 14 servings
Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • For the Cupcakes:
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2–3 cups powdered sugar (adjust for sweetness)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional Garnish:
  • Ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for sprinkling
  • Mini cinnamon sticks
  • Crushed graham crackers

Instructions
 

  • Step 1: Preheat Oven u0026 Prepare Pan : Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
  • Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients : In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Set aside.
  • Step 3: Cream Butter u0026 Sugar : In a large bowl, beat softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes). Beat in eggs one at a time, then vanilla extract.
  • Step 4: Combine Wet u0026 Dry Ingredients : Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Fold in pumpkin puree until evenly incorporated.
  • Step 5: Bake the Cupcakes : Divide batter evenly among 12 cupcake liners. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting : In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until desired sweetness and consistency is reached. Beat in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
  • Step 7: Frost the Cupcakes : Once cupcakes are completely cooled, pipe or spread cream cheese frosting on top. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or crushed graham crackers for a festive touch.