Pumpkin Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting

Moist homemade spiced pumpkin cupcakes, topped off with brown sugar cream cheese frosting and a dusting of cinnamon. A perfect Fall dessert!

Moist pumpkin cupcakes with brown sugar cream cheese frosting recipe from @bakedbyrachel

Mother Nature is having a crisis. She’s confused. I think she has been for a while. But, this has been a strange year. From a very mild winter into a very dry summer, that led to a severe drought, which we’re still struggling with. The temps dropped fast this Fall, which isn’t all that uncommon for this area but now… it’s going to be 80 this week! I wish the weather would just be normal… typical and predictable even. Don’t get me wrong though. I will absolutely be enjoying these next few days before the weather turns cold again. I even enjoy the rain when it comes, because we need it so badly. But, I just want it to be normal. Even the trees are confused. And I imagine the animals are too. Are you experiencing this in your area as well, this year?

I know I’ve mentioned the show Pitch before, but I just have to say again how great it is. It’s by far my favorite show of the season and probably the only show I really look forward to each week. Not that there aren’t other good shows, but it’s my new favorite. I hope everyone else is enjoying it as much as I have been, I’d hate to see it go away too soon!

Also, we just started watching Madam Secretary. We’re only a few episodes in but I think I might already be hooked! It’s so much better than I expected it to be and definitely has an interesting back story. Bonus… watching the early seasons on Netflix means no commercials. Yay!

Moist pumpkin cupcakes with brown sugar cream cheese frosting recipe from @bakedbyrachel

I finally caved and cracked open a can of pumpkin this weekend. My kids were beyond thrilled! I honestly expected to get into the pumpkin spirit earlier in the month, but one thing led to another and it just didn’t happen. But now there’s no going back!

Pumpkin goodies are here to stay! Or at least for the next month and a half.

It’s that time of year to indulge and enjoy all things pumpkin and spiced, especially baked goods!

No one can resist a cupcake! These moist homemade spiced pumpkin cupcakes are topped off with brown sugar cream cheese frosting and a light dusting of cinnamon. A fun Fall dessert, perfect for the entire family and a must make for all of your Fall parties! A guaranteed favorite! So, be sure to grab one before they disappear!

Add these pumpkin cupcakes to the top of your Fall baking list!

Moist pumpkin cupcakes with brown sugar cream cheese frosting recipe from @bakedbyrachel

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting

Moist homemade spiced pumpkin cupcakes, topped off with brown sugar cream cheese frosting and a dusting of cinnamon. A perfect Fall dessert!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cupcake
Servings: 8 cupcakes

Ingredients

Cupcakes:

  • 1/4 C unsalted butter softened
  • 1/4 C light brown sugar
  • 1/4 C granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp allspice
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 C all purpose flour
  • 1/2 C pumpkin puree

Frosting:

  • 6 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/4 C unsalted butter softened
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 C light brown sugar
  • 2 3/4 C powdered sugar
  • cinnamon for dusting

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a standard cupcake pan with 8 paper liners. 
  • In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Scrape bowl as needed. Mix in baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices. Mix in flour, followed by pumpkin puree. Continue mixing until fully combined and no streaks remain. 
  • Divide batter between 8 paper liners using a large cookie scoop
  • Bake for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in pan for 2 minutes or until easy to handle, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 
  • In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together cream cheese and butter until fully combined. Add vanilla, followed by brown sugar. Mix until combined. Add 1 cup of powdered sugar at a time until fully added. Mix well until no fully combined. Transfer frosting to a large piping bag, fit with a piping tip.* 
  • Lightly dust frosted cupcakes with cinnamon using a small mesh strainer or sugar duster wand
  • Store cupcakes in an airtight container for up to several days. 

Notes

*A jumbo round piping tip was used in this recipe.
An original recipe from Baked by Rachel

Items used in this recipe:

This post contains affiliate links.

Moist pumpkin cupcakes with brown sugar cream cheese frosting recipe from @bakedbyrachel
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22 Responses to “Pumpkin Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting”

  1. #
    1
    Peppermint Dolly — October 17, 2016 at 5:13 am

    These cupcakes look so great!!

    Rebecca
    xx

    • #
      1.1
      Rachel — October 18, 2016 at 7:13 am

      Thanks so much!

  2. #
    2
    Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor — October 17, 2016 at 7:36 am

    You always make the best cupcakes and these look incredible! I wouldn’t be able to eat just one.

    • #
      2.1
      Rachel — October 18, 2016 at 7:13 am

      Thanks, Ashley!

  3. #
    3
    Shashi at RunninSrilankan — October 17, 2016 at 8:15 am

    You sure are right – mother nature is confused! We have 80s in the forecast for most of this week too! But, I never tire of Pumpkin and pumpkin cupcakes like these are most definitely irresistible!

    • #
      3.1
      Rachel — October 18, 2016 at 7:13 am

      Thanks so much, Shashi! Good to know the crazy weather is everywhere!

  4. #
    4
    Aimee @ShugarySweets — October 17, 2016 at 8:28 am

    I’m always curious what other people are watching! We just started Homeland (LOVE IT) and Designated Survivor (also awesome)!
    These cupcakes are gorgeous, love the brown sugar frosting!

    • #
      4.1
      Rachel — October 18, 2016 at 7:14 am

      Love both of those shows! I’d been waiting for Kiefer to be in another good show! And thanks, Aimee!

  5. #
    5
    Marye — October 17, 2016 at 8:32 am

    Oh wow, these cupcakes look so delicious! I would love to try them!

    • #
      5.1
      Rachel — October 18, 2016 at 7:14 am

      Thanks, Marye!

  6. #
    6
    Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction — October 17, 2016 at 9:59 am

    Love the brown sugar cream cheese frosting! A perfect topping for pumpkin cupcakes!

    • #
      6.1
      Rachel — October 18, 2016 at 7:14 am

      Thanks, Jessica!

  7. #
    7
    Heather Kinnaird — October 17, 2016 at 10:05 am

    I do love a good pumpkin treat, but it i that frosting calling my name…YUM

    • #
      7.1
      Rachel — October 18, 2016 at 7:14 am

      Thanks, Heather!

  8. #
    8
    Danae @ Recipe Runner — October 17, 2016 at 11:48 am

    The weather has been weird here too. We were in the 80’s this past weekend and now for the next few days down to near 60. I love these cupcakes, I bet they make the house smell amazing! You always make the frosting on top look so perfect!

    • #
      8.1
      Rachel — October 18, 2016 at 7:15 am

      It’s so hard to adjust back to the cool temps after you get nice warm weather like that! And thanks, Danae!! :)

  9. #
    9
    Jocelyn @BruCrew Life — October 17, 2016 at 12:21 pm

    Our weather is confused too…60’s last week and 90’s this week. I enjoy both but not week to week! That fluffy frosting has me totally wanting to make cupcakes right now!

    • #
      9.1
      Rachel — October 18, 2016 at 7:15 am

      Such wacky weather! I agree… both great but not back to back! And thanks, Jocelyn!

  10. #
    10
    Patricia @ Grab a Plate — October 17, 2016 at 1:46 pm

    Ha! Isn’t it funny these days when it comes to starting the season early with pumpkin! I love everything about these cupcakes — they’re just gorgeous and they sound scrumptious!

    • #
      10.1
      Rachel — October 18, 2016 at 7:16 am

      Thanks so much, Patricia!

  11. #
    11
    Viki — November 4, 2016 at 9:53 pm

    Made them Halloween day and again today. Absolutely delicious!

    • #
      11.1
      Rachel — November 5, 2016 at 7:17 am

      So glad to hear you enjoyed them, Viki! Thanks for sharing! :)

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