AUTUMN PUMPKIN CUPCAKES

Autumn Pumpkin Cupcakes image

These little pumpkin cupcakes are capped with cream cheese frosting and drizzled with a homemade salted caramel sauce. I like to make the caramel sauce in advance and keep it in the fridge till dessert. -Wendy Rusch, Trego, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield 2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 21

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
4 large eggs
3/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
SAUCE:
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
6 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
FROSTING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups confectioners' sugar

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners. In a large bowl, beat sugar, pumpkin, eggs, oil and vanilla until well blended. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, pie spice, salt and baking powder; gradually beat into pumpkin mixture., Fill prepared cups two-thirds full. Bake 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely., For sauce, in a small heavy saucepan, combine brown sugar, cream, butter and salt; bring to boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Cool to room temperature., Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until blended. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Frost cupcakes; drizzle with sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 391 calories, Fat 22g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 70mg cholesterol, Sodium 357mg sodium, Carbohydrate 47g carbohydrate (37g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.