three years! and pumpkin cupcakes

Three years ago today I started Bella Eats. This little site was much different then, dedicated to a healthy diet and my progress in training for a 10-mile race. Today I bring you cupcakes. My, how things have changed. :)

Thank you to all of you still here from that first year, and all of you who have found me along the way. I can't wait to see what year four has in store!

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Buttercream Frosting

cupcakes from Ina Garten, frosting my own

makes 10 cupcakes

Cupcake Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup canned pumpkin purée, not pie filling
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Frosting Ingredients (you may want to doule this if you like a lot of frosting. this recipe makes enough for a decent dollop on each cupcake)

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1-1/4 cups confectioner's sugar
• 2 tbsp maple syrup

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350℉. Brush or spray the top of 10 muffin tins with vegetable oil and line them with 10 paper liners.
2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in a medium bowl.  In a larger bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin, sugars, and vegetable oil. Add the flour mixture and stir until combined.
3. Divide the batter among the prepared tins and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Set aside to cool completely.
4. Cream the butter in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment.  Scrape the sides of the bowl. Add the sugar and beat on medium high until fluffy. Scrape the bowl again. Add the maple syrup and beat until well combined.
5. Pipe the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes.