Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting
This is a small-batch recipe and makes just 6 cupcakes, perfect for times when more is not better. The recipe will also help you make use of that last little bit of pumpkin puree in the bottom of the can that you didn't know what to do with. The cupcakes are moist, dense, and robustly-flavored with fall spices. The sweet, creamy, fluffy yet dense, marshmallow buttercream is the perfect complement to the half-dozen little cupcakes.
Prep Time12 minutesmins
Cook Time18 minutesmins
Total Time30 minutesmins
Course: Cupcakes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 564kcal
Author: Averie Sunshine
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
1large egg
heaping 1/4 cup canned pumpkin pureenot pumpkin pie filling
3tablespoonscanola or vegetable oil
2tablespoonsvanilla or plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
3tablespoonsgranulated sugar
1tablespoonlight brown sugarpacked
1teaspoonvanilla extract
½teaspooncinnamon
¼teaspoonpumpkin pie spice
¼teaspoonground cloves
pinchsaltoptional
6tablespoonsall-purpose flour
½teaspoonbaking soda
½teaspoonbaking powder
For the Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting
½cupunsalted butter1 stick, softened
about 3/4 cup Marshmallow Creme or Marshmallow Fluffabout half of one 7-ounce jar (you don't need to measure it since it's so sticky, just eyeball it and use half the jar)
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1 ½ to 2cupsconfectioners' sugarsifted is preferred
Instructions
For the Cupcakes - Preheat oven to 350F and line a standard-sized muffin pan with 6 paper liners or spray with cooking spray; set aside. In a large mixing bowl combine egg, pumpkin, oil, yogurt, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, cloves, salt, and whisk until smooth and combined. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and stir until just Incorporated, taking care not to over-mix and over-develop the gluten, which results in tougher cupcakes. Divide batter equally among liners (they will be over 2/3 full, not quite 3/4 full) and bake for about 18 minutes, or until tops are golden, domed and set, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, taking care not to over-bake and even just 2 extra minutes can result in a much drier cupcake. Allow cupcakes to cool in pan for 5 to 10 minutes before removing them and transferring to a rack to finish cooling. While they are baking or cooling, make the frosting.
For the Marshmallow Buttercream - To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the butter and beat on high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until fluffy. Stop the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the marshmallow creme and beat on high speed for 2 to 3 minutes, or until fluffy. Stop the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the vanilla extract, 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, and beat to incorporate, starting slowly and then beating on high speed for about 2 minutes. Depending on desired frosting consistency, add more sugar until desired consistency is reached. If you've added too much sugar and frosting has become too thick, add a dollop of marshmallow creme too thin it back out, or a splash of milk or cream. Frost cooled cupcakes and serve immediately. After they're frosted, cupcakes should be stored in the refrigerator (due to the butter in the frosting) and will keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days; however they are best eaten fresh.