:: Thursday's Recipe Rodeo ::

It's Thursday already! This is a place to get some new recipes or maybe even a twist on an old one. Feel free to take any recipe here and use it as you please. If you want to join in on the Recipe Rodeo, let me know! I would love to try some of your recipes too!

Today's Round Up: Seasonal Sweets

Pumpkins are synonymous with fall. For those of you who, like me, may not typically be partial to any kind pumpkin recipes...this should be your one exception. This recipe won me over a few years ago!

Pumpkin Cupcakes

* 1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree (I use Libby's)
* 2 large eggs
* 1 1/2 Cups sugar
* 1/2 Cup vegetable oil

In a separate bowl:
* 1 1/2 Cups flour
* 1 tsp. cinnamon
* 1 tsp. nutmeg
* 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
* 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
* 1 tsp. baking soda
* 1/2 tsp. salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl combine the sugar, pumpkin and eggs. Whisk in the oil. Add the flour, spice, baking soda and salt mixture to the pumpkin mixture and fold together. Do not overmix. Pour into cupcake liners and bake for 16 - 18 minutes, or until the cupcakes spring back when you gently touch the tops. Let them cool completely before frosting them with the following Cream Cheese Frosting.Cream Cheese Frosting
* 1 stick of butter, at room temperature
* 8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
* 1 Tbsp. vanilla
* 1 tsp. maple extract (you can also use maple syrup)
* 2-4 Cups sifted confectioners sugar (depending on how stiff you like your frosting)

Directions

Cream the butter and cream cheese together until light and fluffy (approx. 3 minutes). Add vanilla and maple and beat. Add one cup of confectioners sugar at a time and continue to beat frosting for about five minutes*.

*If the frosting still seems too runny to use, put it into a frosting, or ziploc bag and refrigerate for no more than 30 minutes. Enjoy!!If you want to join in on your own blog, simply link back to this blog and mention that you are partaking in Thursday's Recipe Rodeo, let me know in the comments you are joining so we can visit your blog, or if you don't have a blog and want to share a recipe with us - leave it in the comments! Click here for a printable version of Pumpkin Cupcakes