Pumpkin Cupcakes



Pumpkin Cupcakes:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Kosher salt
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs

Maple Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese
2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 cups powdered sugar
Chopped toasted pecans, for topping

1. For the pumpkin cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 1 (12-cup) muffin pan with paper cupcake liners. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, add the butter and the sugar. Beat with a hand-held mixer until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the pumpkin puree and the vanilla extract. Slowly beat in the eggs, one at a time. Incorporate the dry mixture into the wet mixtures together until thoroughly combined. Using an ice cream scoop, fill each cupcake liner 3/4 of the way full. Bake until the tops turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cupcake comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the oven to a wire rack and cool completely before frosting .
3. For the cream cheese frosting: Add the cream cheese, butter, maple syrup, and salt to a large bowl and beat until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar until thoroughly combined. Top the cupcakes with the frosting and chopped pecans.

Yield: 1 dozen