SPICED PUMPKIN CUPCAKES with MAPLE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

This is one of my daughter Hannah’s favorite recipes, which I developed years ago when she had a bit of an obsession with the pumpkin muffins at Einstein's. Filled with autumn spices, these moist, maple-sweetened treats perfume your home with the most heavenly scent as they bake. With the frosting, its a cupcake … follow the demerara sugar-sprinkle option, it’s a muffin.

SPICED PUMPKIN CUPCAKES with MAPLE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

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makes 12

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 cup whole wheat flour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/8 ground nutmeg

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2/3 cup canola oil

• 1 cup canned pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)

• 1/2 cup light sour cream

• 2 eggs

• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

• 1/4 cup maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• Maple Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe below) or demerara sugar or sanding sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 12 standard sized muffin cups with paper baking liners.

2. Whisk flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and salt together in a large bowl.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together remaining muffin ingredients. Add to dry ingredients and stir just until combined.

4. Divide batter equally into the 12 muffin cups. If skipping the frosting, sprinkle each muffin with 1/8 teaspoon demerara or sanding sugar.

5. Place muffin tins on a sheet pan and bake for 18-22 minutes or until a wood toothpick comes out clean when inserted in center. Let cool completely before slathering frosting onto each muffin and sprinkling with minced crystallized ginger (frosting recipe below).

MAPLE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

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INGREDIENTS

• 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

• 1 tablespoon butter, room temperature

• 2 tablespoons maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar

• 3 tablespoons minced crystallized ginger (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place cream cheese, butter, maple syrup, and vanilla in a large bowl. Sift powdered sugar into same bowl.

2. With beaters or a stand mixer, beat until creamy and completely smooth.