Silly Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes (Print)

Pumpkin spice cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and playful rat-themed candy decorations for festive gatherings.

# Components:

→ Cupcake Batter

01 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
07 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 1 cup canned pumpkin purée
10 - 1/4 cup milk
11 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Cream Cheese Frosting

12 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
13 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
14 - 3 cups powdered sugar
15 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
16 - Pinch of salt

→ Rat Decorations

17 - 12 large chocolate truffles or donut holes (for rat bodies)
18 - 24 mini chocolate chips (for eyes)
19 - 12 pink jelly beans (for noses)
20 - Black licorice laces (for tails)
21 - Sliced almonds (for ears)
22 - Edible food coloring pens (optional, for details)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, eggs, pumpkin purée, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
04 - Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined; avoid overmixing for tender cupcakes.
05 - Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
06 - Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely on a wire rack.
07 - For the frosting, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.
08 - Generously frost each cooled cupcake with the prepared cream cheese frosting.
09 - To create the rat decorations, place a chocolate truffle or donut hole on each cupcake to serve as the rat's body. Use mini chocolate chips for the eyes and a pink jelly bean for the nose. Insert two almond slices into the top for ears and attach a black licorice lace for the tail. For added detail, use edible food coloring pens if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Perfect balance of spooky and cute for Halloween parties
  • Uses simple store bought candies for easy decorating
  • Moist pumpkin cupcakes with rich cream cheese frosting
  • Can be prepared ahead of time for stress free entertaining
02 -
  • The cupcake batter can be made one day ahead and refrigerated
  • Room temperature ingredients create the smoothest cream cheese frosting
  • Can be adapted for classroom parties by using nut free alternatives

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