INGREDIENTS
FOR THE CUPCAKES
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour 180 grams
- 1 cup brown sugar 213 grams
- 1 teaspoon baking powder 4 grams
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder 7 grams
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 3 grams
- ¼ cup vegetable oil 50 grams
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree 57 grams
- ¼ cup whole milk 57 grams
- ½ cup strong coffee or espresso 114 grams, divided
- 2 large eggs 100 grams
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
FOR THE FROSTING
- ½ cup unsalted butter 113 grams, room temperature (1 stick)
- 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder 5 grams
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2½ cups powdered sugar 283 grams
EQUIPMENT
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Cupcake Tin
- Stand Mixer
- Piping Tip Set
Instructions
FOR THE CUPCAKES
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 12-count cupcake tin with paper liners.

- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, instant espresso, and pumpkin pie spice.1½ cups all-purpose flour,1 cup brown sugar,1 teaspoon baking powder,1 tablespoon instant espresso powder,1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

- In another bowl, combine the vegetable oil, pumpkin puree, whole milk, ¼ cup coffee, eggs, and vanilla.¼ cup vegetable oil,¼ cup pumpkin puree,¼ cup whole milk,½ cup strong coffee or espresso,2 large eggs,1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix just until they are combined– be sure not to overmix!

- Divide the batter between the tins, filling each one ¾ of the way full.

- Bake the cupcakes for 14-16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While the cupcakes are warm, remove them to a wire rack and poke the top a few times with a fork. Drizzle over the remaining ¼ cup coffee (I added about 1 teaspoon to the top of each cupcake).
- Set the cupcakes aside to cool completely before frosting.
FOR THE FROSTING
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes.½ cup unsalted butter

- Add in the vanilla, espresso powder, and pumpkin pie spice. Mix to combine.2 teaspoons instant espresso powder,1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract,½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- With the mixer on low speed, add the powdered sugar a little at a time.2½ cups powdered sugar
- Once all of the sugar has been incorporated, turn the mixer to high speed and beat until the frosting becomes light and fluffy, about 2-4 minutes.
- Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with your choice of tip (I used a Wilton 2A).
- Pipe the frosting on the cooled cupcakes and garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
NOTES
- Make sure to use just the right amount of pumpkin puree that’s called for. If you use too much or too little, the consistency will be thrown way off.
- For the piping bag, I used a Wilton 2A tip.
- Always check your cupcakes with a toothpick to make sure they’re really baked!
Storage: Store pumpkin spice cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

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