Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting are moist, dense, and robustly-flavored with fall spices that combine perfectly with the sweet, creamy, fluffy yet dense, marshmallow buttercream.
Sometimes I have a little bit of pumpkin puree leftover in the bottom of the can and wonder what I’m going to do with it. Too much to toss, but not enough to make something big with.
But bigger isn’t always better and in the case of these cupcakes, good things came in a batch size of just six cupcakes.
Really, I don’t need more than six cupcakes at once. A dozen is only good if I have a party to attend and two dozen is only good if I plan to go up a size in my jeans. Cupcakes tend to dry out quickly, the frosting hardens and becomes crunchy, and they just don’t hold up well to the test of time. And by cupcake number 19 in a batch of two dozen, they are being forced upon anyone who can choke down a dry, pitiful excuse of a baked good.
I solved the big-batch problem and the question of what to do with the last dribble of pumpkin puree in one fell swoop with these.
I made the batter in one bowl, with a whisk, in about 66 seconds. Simple combine the first eleven ingredients together into a bowl, all at once, and whisk. I know that sounds like a lot of ingredients for a simple recipe, but it’s largely sugars and spice and everything nice. If you don’t have all the spices on hand, don’t worry about it and use what you do have.
Then add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and you’re ready to bake off the half-dozen amber gems.
Some people bake marshmallows on top of their sweet potatoes, but I’d rather add marshmallow frosting to the top of pumpkin cupcakes. While the cupcakes baked, I made the marshmallow buttercream. I wasn’t going to make anything other than a simple glaze using confectioners’ sugar and splash of cream because I didn’t want to over-complicate a situation that came about and was intended to use up leftovers, not create more food or more work. However, I like a little cupcake with my mountain of frosting, and making frosting was a priority worth dirtying my mixer.
I beat one stick of butter, half a jar of marshmallow creme, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla extract until it was smooth and light. The frosting is fluffy yet dense, buttery, rich, sweet, and indulgent; the way frosting should be. The recipe makes a bit more than you’ll likely need for the six cupcakes, and can be refrigerated for many weeks and used in any holiday baking projects you have coming up. Or you can just grab a spoon and go to town on the extra.
The frosting was a bit too soft to pipe and I despise piping bags anyway because so much of the precious commodity becomes stuck to the sides of the bag and is wasted. We don’t waste frosting in this house; we eat it. So with a spoon, I dolloped the frosting onto the cupcakes, making little peaks and crests as best I could, and my family was too busy wiping their sticky hands to notice my decorating job anyway.
Fall-themed spices including cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and cloves are favorites of mine and are so well-suited for pumpkin. I especially adore cloves and I need to remember to bake with them more often throughout the year, rather than just in the fall. Inhaling the robustly fall-flavored scents that emanated from the cupcakes was almost as good as licking the frosting from the top.
These little cupcakes were so moist from the pumpkin puree and from the Greek yogurt I added to the batter. I also used oil instead of butter, which makes for moister cakes and cupcakes.
I kept the baking powder to an absolute minimum and although some is needed for lift, I find that using any more than a very slight amount results in dry cupcakes or dry baked goods in general. Plus, I am keenly sensitive to its chemically taste and am careful not to over-do it. Although some people enjoy a lighter and more delicate crumb and texture, I prefer cupcakes a bit heavier and denser. I like to be able to sink my teeth into a cupcake and have a nice solid bite, not at all airy or crumbly, and the texture on these was just how I like it.
For a recipe that was intended to use up the last bits of the pumpkin puree in the can and made using a batter that I eyeballed, tossed together in one bowl, in one minute flat, I cannot complain. Nor could Scott. He loved these things and scarfed down three in twelve hours. Clearly no issues with lingering leftovers.
And because they’re made with a vegetable, well technically pumpkin is a fruit, you could probably even convince yourself they’re good for you. Exactly.
Pin This Recipe
Enjoy AverieCooks.com Without Ads! 🆕
Go Ad Free
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- 1 large egg
- heaping 1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling
- 3 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons vanilla or plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- pinch salt, optional
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
For the Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 stick, softened
- about 3/4 cup Marshmallow Creme or Marshmallow Fluff, about half of one 7-ounce jar (you don't need to measure it since it's so sticky, just eyeball it and use half the jar)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ to 2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted is preferred
Instructions
- For the Cupcakes - Preheat oven to 350F and line a standard-sized muffin pan with 6 paper liners or spray with cooking spray; set aside. In a large mixing bowl combine egg, pumpkin, oil, yogurt, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, cloves, salt, and whisk until smooth and combined. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and stir until just Incorporated, taking care not to over-mix and over-develop the gluten, which results in tougher cupcakes. Divide batter equally among liners (they will be over 2/3 full, not quite 3/4 full) and bake for about 18 minutes, or until tops are golden, domed and set, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, taking care not to over-bake and even just 2 extra minutes can result in a much drier cupcake. Allow cupcakes to cool in pan for 5 to 10 minutes before removing them and transferring to a rack to finish cooling. While they are baking or cooling, make the frosting.
- For the Marshmallow Buttercream - To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the butter and beat on high speed for 2 to 3 minutes until fluffy. Stop the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the marshmallow creme and beat on high speed for 2 to 3 minutes, or until fluffy. Stop the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the vanilla extract, 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, and beat to incorporate, starting slowly and then beating on high speed for about 2 minutes. Depending on desired frosting consistency, add more sugar until desired consistency is reached. If you've added too much sugar and frosting has become too thick, add a dollop of marshmallow creme too thin it back out, or a splash of milk or cream. Frost cooled cupcakes and serve immediately. After they're frosted, cupcakes should be stored in the refrigerator (due to the butter in the frosting) and will keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days; however they are best eaten fresh.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
©averiecooks.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Related Recipes:
Pumpkin Banana Bread with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting – Moist and rich, this quick bread pairs two of my favorites, pumpkin and bananas, into one easy loaf and the frosting isn’t too shabby either
3 Musketeers White Chocolate Cupcakes with Fluffy Vanilla Buttercream – Make quick work of your lingering Halloween candy with these candy-stuffed cupcakes
Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Granola (vegan, GF) – A very adaptable recipe that’s great for using extra pumpkin puree, extra dried fruit, nuts, or seeds. You’ll never have need or desire to buy overpriced storebought granola after making your own easy and flavorful blend at home
Caramel Maple Pumpkin Pie Smoothie – When all else fails, make a smoothie with extra pumpkin puree. Sweet, rich, and dessert-like
Pumpkin Cinnamon Overnight Pull-Apart French Toast with Vanilla Maple Butter – Bread marinates overnight in a mixture of pumpkin puree, maple syrup, cinnamon, sugar, and spices and it’s baked off the next morning for a bread pudding-meets French toast-meets pull-apart Monkey bread. A virtually effortless hot breakfast that’s perfect for day-old bread, lazy weekend mornings, brunches, or holiday gatherings and the syrup is scrumptious
Do you have a favorite way to use that last little bit of pumpkin puree in the can?
All my Pumpkin Recipes are here, some of which use a whole can 15-ounce can, but many of my recipes as well as those I read and try from others, use only a half cup or one cup. Therefore, I’m frequently left with partial cans of pumpkin puree wondering what to do with it. Necessity is the mother of invention and I start tossing things together, hoping for the best. This savory pumpkin and potato recipe was borne from that situation.
And with these half-dozen cupcakes and my last bits of pumpkin puree used up, I bid Pumpkin Season 2012 adieu. This will be my last pumpkin post until 2013. Bring on the molasses and the ginger.
My favorite recipes from fall 2012’s pumpkin lineup:
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake with Chocolate Ganache – I love this cake and it goes down as one of my favorite cakes ever, not just favorite pumpkin cakes, but favorite cakes, period. Skip the pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving and make this cake
Pumpkin Banana Bread with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies – These cookies really grew on me and I made them twice in a matter of one week, which almost never happens with desserts because I’m always onto something new
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pumpkin Cinnamon Overnight Pull-Apart French Toast with Vanilla Maple Butter
Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Granola (vegan, GF)
Pumpkin and Cheesy Baked Potato Casserole (vegan, GF)
Please link up your favorite pumpkin recipes.
Thanks winners of the Pure Vanilla Cookbook Giveaway are Cassie, Laura Dembowski, and Chef Amber Shea
The winner of the Vanilla Bean Sampler Pack and Glass Jar Giveaway is Paula
That marshmallow buttercream looks ridiculously good – I want to dive right in!
I love this use for your extra pumpkin! I usually hold on to mine and swirl it into frosting or save it for pancakes. Next time- a half batch of cupcakes may be in order!
I normally do what you do, or take an easier option, but just had to step it up for one last pumpkin hurrah!
Amber gems indeed! Holy fluff on that frosting–SO insanely fluffy, I die! These look magical, Averie!
I usually toss any leftover pumpkin into a batch of chili or I make a single serving pumpkin custard or a couple of microwave mug muffins. I definitely prefer baked goods from the oven instead of the microwave, and I like this small sized batch of cupcakes. I’m trying to remember if I’ve seen a marshmallow buttercream frosting but if I have, I’ve forgotten. It sounds nice and light, which is perfect for my husband’s frosting preferences.
I have wanted to make pumpkin chili for ages and should do it! Microwave mug muffins are highly temperamental, I know what you mean and prefer the oven, too, but don’t always want to b/c of batch size issues until these came along :)
I love that you used Marshmallow Buttercream on these. I’m a sucker for anything with marshmallow fluff, so I’m dying to try these. And I love that the recipe only makes 6! No need for lots of cupcakes hanging around.
The ones that just hang around just seem to get so blah, so fast. So this fixes all that!
I always have a little bit of leftover pumpkin in a can with something covering it until I find a way to use it sitting in my refrigerator. This is a perfect way to use it up! I love pumpkin anything and honestly, even this time of year, do not get tired of baking with it or smelling it or seeing it on every blog or in every grocery store. It is good stuff!
I love the fluffly frosting on these, too. They are like party cupcakes. It is funny how Jessica at How Sweet made almost identical cupcakes as yours today. It is in the air! :-)
I LOVE your Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Chocolate Ganache. That has to be one of the best ever. Not only does it look gorgeous, it is incredible tasting and when I brought it to a large gathering, it was the first to go. I also love that there are only 6 of these, both for using up the pumpkin and for keeping emotional eating at bay! ;-)
She and I do that frequently…or she will post something that I know I have a post in my drafts for and am holding onto for the next week or so. Or I’ll post something and then see 10 skillet cookies that week – like everyone has the same thing on our brains! Crazy!
I am so glad you love that Bundt and it’s one of my fave cakes – the more I think about it, the more I miss it and want to bake another one :) Glad it was a hit at the party!
These cupcakes look so good! I love that the recipe makes a small batch, as much as I love cupcakes I don’t need a dozen hanging around!
My thoughts exactly about a dozen just lingering :)
I never liked sweet potatoes as a kid b/c I equated them with that sweet potato marshmallow concoction. But marshmallows as a dessert topping is a whole other story. Those look gorgeous.
That concoction is exactly the one I am thinking of, too. Funny you went from not thinking you like sweet potatoes to being a sweet tater-making queen! :)
I now have an intense craving for pumpkin cake. And marshmallow buttercream? Genius!
Mountains of frosting is the only way to eat a cupcake:-) That frosting paired with a dense pumpkin cupcakes sounds just perfect!!! I happen to have a little bit of pumpkin puree just sitting in my fridge too…
these sounds delicious! and this frosting… oh my goodness! great job!
I love pumpkin cupcakes!!!!! Yours turned out gorgeous. I love that it only makes 6. That would be one for each of us in our family. Hmmm, maybe that’s why I can’t seem to be fitting into my jeans these days! I better scale back the sheer quantity of things I bake!
I could never bake in the quantity you do – you have more kids and boys! I have a little 5 year old girl and a hubs. I HAVE to keep things on the small scale or we wouldn’t be able to fit thru the doorway :)
When I have a little bit of pumpkin puree leftover I just add a bit of cinnamon, a drop of maple syrup and then eat it out of the can with a spoon.
Rrrr….
Your cupcakes look way better than my spoon in a can trick.
CUPCAKES!!!! Seeing cupcakes on averie cooks this morning makes my wednesday. pumpkin cupcakes at that! I am usually scrambling to find recipes when I’m faced with the leftovers in a pumpkin puree can. more often than not, I mis the pumpkin with vanilla chobani & cinnamon and dip apple slices in it. :) But cupcakes just seem SO much better, am I right? The frosting! holy moly that frosting sounds like pure marshmallow heaven. Love the rustic little peaks you formed – sometimes piping frosting and bags ARE SUCH A WASTE. My cookie dough frosted cupcakes were done by hand and boy, were they SO much easier to load up the frosting on. I love these cupcakes Averie! And the small batch the recipe bakes up- perfect for a saturday night dessert and a sunday morning breakfast/snack. My favorite pumpkin recipe of yours before these is your GORGEOUS pumpkin bundt cake. I often look back on that post b/c the pictures are SO beautiful!
I almost never make cupcakes so figure it was my one offering for 2012 :) Piping bags are SUCH a waste – agreed! Unless we are bringing these things to a wedding or something, I just wouldn’t go to the work. The only reason would be to get the photos accepted…but boy, talk about a lot of make-work for a small batch, use up leftovers, kind of recipe. Trust me, I was weighing the options in my mind :)
You used up that last bit of puree just perfectly! And yes, 6 cupcakes are so necessary in my household or else I’ll eat every single last one of them!
You are the queen of pumpkin recipes AND cupcake/muffin recipes…I’d love to know what you make with your extra pumpkin or what your muffin inspiration is for all your recipes!!
To be honest, I sometimes let that extra pumpkin go to waste. I never get to bake in time before it turns bad! I know, I’m such a bad food blogger.
I am clearly a bigger cheapskate than you :)
I just had that problem too and it took me too long to figure out what to do that it went bad on me, so we are in the same boat!