'Tis the season for all things pumpkin. I have been at work in my kitchen baking all kinds of things, and I thought I would share a great pumpkin cake recipe with you.
First of all, I saw a recipe in the More From Magnolia cookbook (from the legendary Magnolia Bakery in NYC) for Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese icing. I thought that this sounded like a perfect kickoff to the fall season, so I made them - see photo above. Delicious, super-moist, easy to make - although more of a cake than a bar. It gave me the idea to make Pumpkin Cupcakes using this recipe and modifying it slightly, and then tweaking the frosting. They came out great and are my new favorite Pumpkin Cupcake recipe.
If you want to make the bars exactly as is, eliminate the chocolate chips and add 1/2 C. toasted pecans to the batter. Bake in a greased and floured 13" X 9" baking pan for 25-30 minutes. Use a basic cream cheese frosting recipe, and sprinkle another 1/2 C. of toasted pecans on top.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Mini Cupcakes with Mocha Frosting
- 1 1/2 C. all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 t. baking powder
- 1 1/2 t. cinnamon
- 1 t. baking soda
- 1/4 t. salt
- 1 1/4 C. canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
- 1 1/4 C. sugar
- 3/4 C. vegetable oil (preferably canola)
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 3/4 C. mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 C. regular chocolate chips, for decorating (or you can use a few minis)
Line mini muffin pans with paper liners (makes about 48).
In a small bowl, sift the dry ingredients and set aside.
In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the pumpkin, sugar, oil, and eggs until smooth, about 3 minutes.
Add the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
Fill paper liners about 1/2 way and bake for 15 - 20 minutes.
Cool on wire racks.
Mocha Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1 stick (1/2 C.) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 box confectioners sugar
- 1/2 C. Chocolate Mocha Hot Cocoa Mix (I used Ghirardelli)
Slowly add confectioners sugar and beat until smooth.
Slowly add Chocolate Mocha Mix until the color is a very light tan (to taste)
Frost cupcakes, topping with a chocolate chip.
