Magical Pumpkin Cupcakes with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Autumn’s golden embrace whispers of cozy moments and delectable these pumpkin cupcakes with caramel cream cheese frosting.

Warm spices dance through each tender crumb, promising a delightful seasonal treat.

The rich, velvety frosting swirls with sweet caramel complexity that melts on your tongue.

Perfectly balanced between comfort and decadence, these cupcakes capture the essence of fall’s most cherished flavors.

Every bite tells a story of comfort and indulgence.

Bakers of all skill levels can create this irresistible dessert that turns ordinary afternoons into magical memories.

You’ll want to savor every last crumb of this irresistible autumn delight.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 322 kcal

Servings: 13

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Caramel Cream Cheese: What You’ll Need

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and tender crumb for perfectly soft cupcakes.
• Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Cloves: Warm spices that create a cozy autumn flavor profile.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents for light and fluffy texture.
• Salt: Enhances and balances overall flavor complexity.

• Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture and softness in cupcakes.
• White Sugar, Brown Sugar: Deliver sweetness and deep caramel undertones.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide richness and structure.
• Pumpkin Puree: Adds earthy flavor and natural moisture.
• Milk: Softens batter and contributes to smooth consistency.

• Granulated Sugar: Foundation for creating rich caramel sauce.
• Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture to caramel and frosting.
• Whipping Cream: Creates silky caramel sauce and creamy frosting.
• Sea Salt: Elevates caramel's depth and balances sweetness.
• Cream Cheese: Provides tangy, luxurious base for frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes frosting texture.

Handy Tools for Pumpkin Caramel Cream Cheese Cupcakes

• large mixing bowls: one for dry ingredients, one for wet ingredients.
• whisk: essential for smoothly combining ingredients without lumps.
• measuring cups and spoons: precise measurements are key for perfect cupcakes.
• muffin tin: standard 12-cup pan works great for baking cupcakes.
• muffin liners: keeps cupcakes neat and easy to remove.
• medium saucepan: for creating salted caramel sauce.
• electric mixer: helps create smooth, creamy frosting.
• piping bag and 1M tip: creates beautiful frosting swirls (optional knife works too).
• wire cooling rack: allows cupcakes to cool evenly without getting soggy.
• toothpick: tests cupcake doneness by checking for clean insertion.

Simple Steps to Make Pumpkin Caramel Cupcakes

• Warm Kitchen Setup

Gear up your oven to a cozy 350°F and arrange paper liners in your muffin tray. Create a welcoming baking space that feels like home.

• Dry Ingredient Symphony

Grab a mixing bowl and dance your whisk through flour, warm spices, and leavening agents. Let each ingredient blend seamlessly into a fragrant powder.

• Liquid Magic

In another bowl, whirl together oil, sugars, and eggs until silky smooth. Fold in pumpkin puree, creating a rich, autumn-inspired batter that whispers comfort.

• Batter Harmony

Gently incorporate dry ingredients with milk, stirring until the mixture becomes a perfect, lump-free canvas. Treat the batter like a delicate painting.

• Cupcake Transformation

Lovingly spoon batter into muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full. Slide the tray into the oven and let magic happen for 18-20 minutes.

• Caramel Dream

Create a golden caramel sauce by melting sugar, adding butter, and swirling in cream. Let it cool and develop deep, rich flavors.

• Frosting Finale

Whip cream cheese and butter into a cloud-like mixture. Fold in powdered sugar and caramel, creating a luxurious topping that crowns each cupcake with pure decadence.

• Cupcake Celebration

Once cooled, crown your cupcakes with swirls of caramel frosting. Drizzle extra caramel for a show-stopping dessert that tells a story of autumn’s warmth.

Tricks to Make Pumpkin Cupcakes Unforgettable

• Chill cupcakes completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure a smooth, professional look.
• Adjust the salt in the caramel sauce to create a more pronounced salted caramel flavor or keep it subtle for a classic sweet taste.
• Prepare the cupcakes and caramel sauce a day in advance, storing them separately in airtight containers to save time on serving day.
• Experiment with additional warm spices like cardamom or allspice to give the pumpkin cupcakes a unique twist and enhance their autumnal flavor profile.
• Keep frosted cupcakes refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 3 days, bringing them to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.

Plating Pumpkin Caramel Cupcakes the Pretty Way

• Cozy Autumn Presentation
• Arrange cupcakes on a rustic wooden board with scattered cinnamon sticks and whole pecans, creating a warm seasonal display that captures fall's essence.
• Sweet Party Centerpiece
• Stack cupcakes on a tiered cake stand, alternating heights and drizzling extra caramel sauce between layers for a stunning dessert centerpiece that will impress guests.
• Personalized Gifting Style
• Package individual cupcakes in clear cellophane bags tied with autumn-colored ribbons, perfect for hostess gifts or casual sharing with friends and colleagues.
• Gourmet Plating Technique
• Dust cupcakes with a light sprinkle of ground cinnamon or crushed pecans, then place each on a small decorative plate with a delicate caramel swirl underneath for an elegant restaurant-style presentation.

How to Keep Pumpkin Caramel Cupcakes Fresh

• Fridge Friendship: Store your delectable cupcakes in an airtight container inside the refrigerator. These tasty treats will happily hang out for 3-4 days, maintaining their moist texture and creamy frosting charm.
• Temperature Tender Care: Before serving chilled cupcakes, let them rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This gentle warming brings back their soft, fluffy personality and enhances the caramel's rich flavor.
• Freezer Flavor Lockdown: Wrap unfrosted cupcakes individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay delicious for up to 2 months, ready to thaw and dress up with frosting whenever a sweet craving hits.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the caramel sauce and cupcake batter a day ahead. Keep the sauce in a sealed jar in the refrigerator and store the batter covered in the fridge overnight. This strategy saves time and lets flavors mingle beautifully before baking.

Velvety Pumpkin Cupcakes with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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4.8 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade pumpkin cupcakes with caramel cream cheese frosting offer autumn’s most comforting dessert experience. Spiced batter and rich frosting combine for an irresistible seasonal treat you’ll want to savor alongside hot coffee or tea.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup (180 ml) pure pumpkin puree
• ¾ cup (150 g) white sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) vegetable oil
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) milk
• 6 tbsps (85 g) unsalted butter
• ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter
• 4 oz (115 g) full-fat cream cheese
• 2–3 cups (240-360 g) powdered sugar
• ½ cup (120 ml) whipping cream
• ½ cup (120 ml) salted caramel sauce
• 1 ½ tsps cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp salt
• ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
• ⅛ tsp ground cloves
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• ½ tsp sea salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line muffin tins with paper liners, creating space for 14-16 cupcakes.
2. Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined.
3. Wet Mixture: In a large bowl, blend vegetable oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs until smooth and uniform, then fold in pumpkin puree until fully integrated.
4. Batter Formation: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, alternating with milk and stirring until a consistent batter forms without lumps.
5. Baking Process: Distribute batter evenly into muffin cups, filling each two-thirds full, and bake for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
6. Cooling Stage: Rest cupcakes in pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to reach room temperature.
7. Caramel Creation: Melt granulated sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until it transforms into a deep amber liquid, then whisk in butter and cream carefully.
8. Caramel Finishing: Remove from heat, stir in sea salt, and allow complete cooling before proceeding with frosting preparation.
9. Frosting Assembly: Cream softened butter and cream cheese until silky, then gradually incorporate powdered sugar and cooled caramel sauce, adjusting consistency with cream as needed.
10. Final Decoration: Once cupcakes are completely cool, pipe or spread frosting generously, and optionally drizzle additional caramel sauce for an elegant finish.

Notes

• Precise Ingredient Temperature: Ensure butter and cream cheese are softened at room temperature for smooth, lump-free frosting that blends effortlessly.
• Sugar Melting Technique: Watch caramel carefully during cooking; it can quickly burn, turning bitter and unusable, so maintain medium heat and constant attention.
• Batter Mixing Secrets: Avoid overmixing cupcake batter, which can create tough, dense cakes; stir just until ingredients combine for tender, light texture.
• Frosting Consistency Control: Add powdered sugar gradually and adjust with cream to achieve perfect piping or spreading thickness without becoming too runny or stiff.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 322
• Sugar: 31 g
• Sodium: 240 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 56 mg