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Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

A delightful and easy-to-make recipe perfect for autumn or any time you crave a comforting treat. This guide will walk you through creating moist, flavorful pumpkin cupcakes topped with a dreamy, spiced cream cheese frosting.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Course: Cupcakes, Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

Pumpkin Cupcakes
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk (or 1/2 cup milk mixed with 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar, let stand for 5 minutes)
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2-3 tablespoons milk (if needed for consistency)

Equipment

  • Muffin tin
  • Cupcake liners
  • Medium Bowl
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Electric mixer
  • Wire rack
  • Spatula
  • Piping bag

Method
 

  1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners or grease and flour each cup thoroughly.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
    2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon salt
  3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
    1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  4. Beat in the large eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
    2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  5. Add the pumpkin puree to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
    1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk in two additions. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined after each addition. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
    1/2 cup buttermilk
  7. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
  8. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
  9. Let the cupcakes cool in the muffin tin for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Ensure they are entirely cool before frosting.
  10. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and softened unsalted butter with an electric mixer until smooth and well combined.
    8 ounces cream cheese, softened, 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  11. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and ground cinnamon to the cream cheese mixture. Beat on low speed, gradually increasing to medium-high speed, until the frosting is light and fluffy.
    3 cups powdered sugar, sifted, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  12. Stir in the vanilla extract.
    1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  13. If the frosting is too thick, add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired spreading consistency.
    2-3 tablespoons milk
  14. Once the cupcakes are completely cool, generously frost each one using a spatula or piping bag.

Notes

Store unfosted or frosted cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Refrigerate for longer storage (4-5 days). Unfrosted cupcakes can be frozen for 2-3 months.
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