Pumpkin Gingerbread Cupcakes

We have been having some cold, wet weather here lately.  This kind of weather just makes me want to stay in bed.  But at least it's not as bad as the snow and ice that some folks are getting.  I surely don't miss that.  If bad weather keeps me in the house, I usually end up baking something.  I had some leftover pumpkin puree in the pantry that I wanted to use and I thought it would pair nicely with gingerbread.  I was right!

I also had some Crystallized Ginger Chips I have been dying to use.  I bought these at World Market, but I also have seen them at T.J. Maxx, Sur la Table, and Amazon.com. 

The spices all together smell so wonderful.  I need to get myself a gingerbread candle or room spray.

Here comes the pumpkin.  I love how pumpkin makes baked goods so nice and moist.  I hate dry cupcakes.

The crystallized ginger chips are what really make this cupcake pop.  They have a strong ginger taste with a little bit of sweetness.  A great compliment to all the other spices.

Napkins.com sent me a few samples of baking cups, mini loaf liners, and paper straws to try out.  The baking cups are made of a glossy, translucent paper with beautiful silver and red designs.  I didn't even need a muffin pan for these.  I love the scalloped edges.  You can find out more about them on their website.  They sell in bulk wholesale, but with the holidays coming around and all the parties you may be attending, wouldn't it be nice to have pretty and durable baking liners. 

My muffins came out perfect.  The baking cups really held up.  They are oven and freezer safe, so you can bake ahead of time.  Napkins.com has other decorative baking cups available as well as napkins, plates, tablescloths, cups and cutlery in a rainbow of colors for all your party needs. They even have eco-friendly  and custom print products. 

I tried the mini loaf liners also.  I made some bread to give out as gifts.  These are the perfect size for a single serving.  There are bigger loaf liners available if you need them.

Getting back to the cupcakes, the original frosting I had intended was an eggnog buttercream frosting, but it was too sweet and heavy.  I thought it was take away from all the wonderful ginger flavor of the cupcakes.  I would have gone with my usual whipped mascarpone frosting, but I didn't have any whipping cream or mascarpone cheese in the fridge.

But I did have some cream cheese and Cool Whip.  I found an easy recipe online for a light fluffy frosting.  I like how it came out.  The light taste of the frosting was the perfect pairing for my spice cupcakes and it had a nice glossy sheen that reminded me of snow.  The cupcakes came out of the wrapper in perfect condition, the inside of the cupcake was moist with lots of bits of chewy ginger chips, and the frosting was just the right amount of sweet with a hint of cream cheese.  I definitely had a winner. 

Pumpkin Gingerbread Cupcakes

by The Sweet Chick

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Keywords: bake dessert snack ginger cinnamon cloves pumpkin Christmas cupcake cake American winter

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Ingredients (12 cupcakes)

For the cupcakes

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup crystallized ginger chips

For the frosting

• 4 oz. cream cheese
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 oz. Cool Whip whipped topping

Instructions

For the cupcakes

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

In a medium bowl, mix together the flours, baking soda, spices, and salt until well blended.

In a large bowl or stand mixer place the butter, sugar, molasses, and egg. Mix on low until well blended. Then add the water and pumpkin puree mixing until smooth.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture a little at a time as you continue to mix, making sure all ingredients are fully combined.

Next add the ginger chips and mix until all incorporated.

Divide batter evenly into 12 cupcake liners or a greased muffin pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove from oven and place on cooling rack. Cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting

In a medium bowl or stand mixer, combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Mix until smooth.

Then add Cool Whip and continue to mix until well combined.

Using a piping bag with your favorite tip or a spatula, frost your cupcakes and place in the fridge. (If there is any left over frosting, it makes great fruit dip!)

Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

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Cupcake recipe adapted from King Arthur Flour

Frosting recipe adapted from Babble.com

Disclaimer: Napkins.com did provide me with some of the products used in this post, but I was under no obligation to develop a recipe for them nor provide a favorable review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 This recipe may be linked to these fabulous parties.