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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Maple Cream Frosting

    Published: Nov 5, 2019 · Modified: Jan 26, 2025 by Eileen Murphy Kelly

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    Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

    Pumpkin Spice makes everything nice is so true when it comes to these ridiculously flavorful cupcakes. Nothing better than a homemade baked treat filling your senses with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, the warm flavors of fall. Take it one step further and top these sweet delights with a luscious maple cream cheese frosting. If you're ready to impress your tastebuds, make a batch of these Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes today. 

    pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting

    We are enjoying quite a few batches of my pecan pumpkin pie bars. These pumpkin spice cupcakes have become a fast favorite of the

    Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes Ingredients

    • unsalted butter - adds moisture to the cupcakes.
    • brown sugar - adds sweetness. 
    • white sugar - more sweetener to the cupcake.
    • eggs - bind the cupcakes.
    • vanilla extract - gives another level of flavor. 
    • pumpkin puree- these are pumpkin cupcakes so they need pumpkin puree.
    • buttermilk - enables the cupcake batter to be tender.
    • cake flour - makes these cupcakes light and fluffy. 
    • baking soda - gives a little tartness to balance the sweetness. 
    • baking powder - leavening to the batter
    • salt - enhances the flavor. 
    • cinnamon - the spices complement the pumpkin
    • nutmeg 
    • allspice

    pumpkin cupcakes in white liners topped with maple cream cheese frosting and sprinkles

    Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes FAQs 

    Can I freeze pumpkin spice cupcakes?

    Unfrosted cupcakes can be frozen for up 3 weeks ahead s long as they are in freezer-safe bags. 

    How do I store pumpkin spice cupcakes?

    Once the cupcakes are frosted, keep in the fridge. 

    What can I use if I don't have cake flour?

    The best solution would be to measure out 1 cup of all-purpose flour. Then remove 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Place it back in your flour canister.  Lastly, replace the removed all-purpose flour with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.

    I do not have buttermilk, what can I use?

    I use buttermilk a lot, case in point, my Irish Soda Bread, so we always have it available. If you do not, for every cup of buttermilk, use 1 cup milk with 1 Tablespoon vinegar.

    The recipe uses Neufchatel cheese, can I use regular cream cheese for the frosting?

    I use lower-fat cream cheese or Neufchatel to cut calories. Feel free to use full-fat cream cheese, it will work well to make the frosting.

    pumpkin spice cupcakes topped with maple cream cheese sprinkled with orange candy pumpkins

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    This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    • cupcake tin - These are the muffin tins I have used for as long as I can remember. They are durable and work well.
    • cupcake holder/transporter - Love this holder. Sturdy and a good transporter for cupcakes.

    Check out my store, Everyday Eileen I share all my favorite finds!

    Looking for some more pumpkin recipes, Pumpkin Butter is awesome on toast and in coffee. For something savory, pumpkin mac and cheese is always a hit. Another favorite is turkey pumpkin chili, an easy one-pot dinner. 

    Pumpkin Creme Brulee is a delicious and easy dessert.

    How to Make Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place cupcake liners into tins.
    2. Sift dry ingredients together. Set aside.
    3. Cream butter and brown sugar.
    4. Add in eggs and vanilla.
    5. Mix in pumpkin puree.
    6. Slowly blend half of the flour mixture.
    7. Then add in the buttermilk. 
    8. Repeat. Once blended, pour batter into cupcakes liners. 
    9. Bake about 15-20 minutes.

    How to make Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

    1. Mix cream cheese and butter until smooth.
    2. Blend in and mix well maple syrup an confectioners sugar. 
    3. Frost cupcakes.

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    maple cream cheese frosting on pumpkin

    Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

    Pumpkin Spice makes everything nice is so true when it comes to these ridiculously flavorful cupcakes. Nothing better than a homemade baked treat filling your senses with the warm flavors of fall, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print (Email Required) Pin Rate
    Course: Baking, Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: fall desserts, Halloween, pumpkin, Thanksgiving
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    0 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 18 cupcakes
    Calories: 224kcal
    Author: Eileen Kelly

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

    Equipment Needed:

    Ingredients

    Wet ingredients for pumpkin spice cupcakes

    • 4 ounces unsalted butter
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • ½ cup white sugar
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1 cup pumpkin puree

    Dry Ingredients for Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

    • 2 cups cake flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon allspice
    • ¼ teaspoon cloves
    • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
    • ½ cup cup buttermilk

    Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

    • 6 ounces Neufchatel cheese Note 1
    • 2 Tablespoon unsalted butter
    • ¼ cup pure Maple syrup
    • ¾ cup confectioners sugar

    Instructions

    How to Make Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place cupcake liners in a 12 muffin tin.
    • In the bowl of stand mixer or large mixing bowl, cream together unsalted butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until well mixed, about 5 minutes. As needed, scrape down the bowl.
    • Add in one egg and vanilla, mix well for at least 2 minutes.
    • Add in the second egg and mix well another 2-3 minutes.
    • Blend in the pumpkin puree. Set aside.
    • In a medium-sized bowl, sift cake flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg.
    • To the pumpkin puree mixture, alternate and add ½ sifted flour mix and ½ of buttermilk.
    • Blend the mixture. Repeat with remaining flour mix and buttermilk. Gently blend.
    • Pour into cupcake liners ¾ full. Bake for 15 -20 minutes.
    • Let cupcakes cool

    How to Make Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

    • Blend cream cheese into a bowl of stand mixer or a large bowl to use a hand mixer to blend well.
    • Add in the maple syrup, blend for a minute.
    • On low speed, blend in confectioners sugar to completely mix the frosting.

    Assemble the Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Maple Cream Frosting

    • Frost the cupcakes with your preferred decorating tips

    NOTES

    Note 1: The recipe calls for neufchatel cheese, however, full fat cream cheese or low-fat cream cheese can be used to make the frosting. 
    Cook time for the cupcakes can range from 15- 20 minutes depending on your oven. Begin to check the cupcakes at 15 minutes baking time. A toothpick should come out clean from the center of the cupcake.
    • Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupcake | Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 177mg | Potassium: 104mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 2431IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @Everyday_Eileen or tag #everydayeileen!

     

     

     

     

     

     

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    Thank you for sharing!

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