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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 Time
12 mins
Cook Time
12 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 564 kcal
Course: Cake
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes
  • 1 large egg
  • heaping 1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling
  • 3 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla or plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar packed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • pinch salt optional
  • 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
For the Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting
  • ½ cup unsalted butter 1 stick, softened
  • about 3/4 cup Marshmallow Creme or Marshmallow Fluff about 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)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ to 2 cups confectioners' sugar sifted is preferred

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Calories 564kcal (28%) Carbohydrates 83g (28%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 24g (37%) Saturated Fat 11g (55%) Polyunsaturated Fat 12g Cholesterol 74mg (25%) Sodium 206mg (9%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 71g (142%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 564

% Daily Value*

Serving 1
Calories 564kcal 28%
Carbohydrates 83g 28%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 24g 37%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Polyunsaturated Fat 12g 71%
Cholesterol 74mg 25%
Sodium 206mg 9%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 71g 142%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.