Perfect Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnful Cream Cheese Frosting

The kids are back in school and the nights are getting cooler. In the Midwest, that means fall is on its way. As we reach the end of summer, I start getting antsy for autumn and all of the goodies it has to offer. One of my favorite seasonal treats is a good Pumpkin Cupcake. To take this from a wonderful fall treat to a tiny piece of heaven, I top with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. This pumpkin cupcake recipe is one of my tried and true favorites.

Pumpkin Cupcakes

• 2 1/4 cups flour (all purpose)
• 1 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup applesauce

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 24 muffin cups, or line with paper muffin liners. Sift together the flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, allspice, salt, baking powder, and baking soda; set aside.

2. Combine oil, white sugar, brown sugar, eggs, milk, pumpkin puree, and applesauce. Mix well. Stir in flour and spices, mixing only until incorporated. Divide muffin batter into cups.

3. Bake in the preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 20-25 minutes. Cool in the pans for 5 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

Frosting

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

• 1/4 cup butter, softened

• 3 cups confectioners' sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

While the cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting by beating the cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer in a bowl until smooth. Beat in the confectioners' sugar a half cup at a time until incorporated. Add the vanilla extract and ground cinnamon; beat until fluffy.

Wait until cupcakes are completely cooled before attempting to frost them. If you don't do this, the frosting will begin to melt. Once frosted, garnish with pumpkin seeds or a sprinkle of cinnamon to wow your guests and make them think these cupcakes were professionally made.