Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Butter Cream

Pumpkin.
Who doesn't love it?

Everything that pumpkin puree touches becomes moist, fluffy and so delicious. 
Once again I made PLENTY of Pumpkin Cupcakes for Thanksgiving. They disappeared within a couple days... that's always a good thing :-)
Pumpkin & Cinnamon go together like PB & J. 
They just click. Which is why these Pumpkin Cupcakes work so well! 


Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Butter Cream
(makes 22-24 large cupcakes, or 48 minis)
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups white sugar
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil (just pretend its not in there, you'll enjoy the cupcakes more :) )
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups canned pumpkin
4 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)


DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake tins with cupcake liners. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl combine sugar and oil. Blend in vanilla and pumpkin, then beat in eggs one at a time. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in nuts. Pour batter into cupcake cups.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean. Set aside to cool completely before frosting.


Cinnamon Butter Cream:
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup softened salted butter
5 cups sifted powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4-5 Tablespoons of heavy cream (or whipping cream)
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon


DIRECTIONS:
1. Beat softened butter on high for 2-3 minutes or until light and fluffy. 
2. Mix sifted powdered sugar, vanilla extract, cream and cinnamon into the softened butter all at once.
3. Beat on medium-high for 2-3 more minutes or until the mixture is throughly combined. Add more cream if the frosting is too stiff.
4. Simply use a knife to frost the tops of the cupcakes or use a decorating tip and pastry bag. Top the Pumpkin Cupcakes with a little cinnamon-sugar and eat up! 

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