Oh, Thanksgiving! It’s that magical time of year when families gather around the table, sharing laughter, stories, and of course, delicious food. I absolutely love the warmth and joy that fills the air during this holiday, and what better way to celebrate than with some delightful thanksgiving themed cupcakes? These little treats are not only adorable but also bursting with the flavors of the season—think spiced pumpkin goodness! Trust me, they’re the perfect festive addition to any gathering, bringing everyone together for a sweet moment of indulgence. Plus, they’re super easy to make, so you can focus on what truly matters: making memories with your loved ones. Let’s get baking!
Ingredients
Gather these simple yet essential ingredients to whip up your delicious thanksgiving themed cupcakes:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice
- 1 cup cream cheese frosting
- Decorative toppings (like candy corn or fall sprinkles)
These ingredients blend together to create the perfect festive flavor that embodies the spirit of Thanksgiving!
How to Prepare Thanksgiving Themed Cupcakes
Preheat and Prepare
First things first, let’s get that oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, grab your cupcake pan and line it with some cute cupcake liners. This not only keeps things tidy but also adds a fun festive touch!
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. This step is important because it ensures that your dry ingredients are evenly distributed, which helps the cupcakes rise beautifully!
Cream Butter and Sugar
Now, in a separate large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Then, add in 2 large eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. This helps incorporate air into the batter, making your cupcakes light and airy!
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Next, stir in 1 cup of pumpkin puree and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until everything is nicely blended. Now, gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with 1/2 cup of milk. Start and end with the dry mix, and don’t forget to sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice for that extra seasonal flavor. Mix until just combined!
Bake and Cool
Pour the batter into your lined cupcake pan, filling each liner about two-thirds full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center. Once baked, let them cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frost and Decorate
When your cupcakes are completely cool, it’s time to frost! Generously spread or pipe on that luscious cream cheese frosting. Then, let your creativity shine by adding fun decorative toppings like candy corn or fall sprinkles to make these cupcakes truly festive!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deliciously spiced pumpkin flavor that screams Thanksgiving!
- Perfect for holiday gatherings and family celebrations.
- Fun and festive decorations make them a hit with all ages.
- Simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps for a stress-free baking experience.
- These cupcakes can be made in advance, saving you time on the big day.
Tips for Success
To ensure your thanksgiving themed cupcakes turn out perfectly, here are some of my favorite tips! First, always use fresh pumpkin puree for a richer flavor. Also, don’t overmix your batter; gently fold until just combined to keep those cupcakes light and fluffy. And if you want to make these in advance, they store beautifully in an airtight container for up to three days. Happy baking!
Nutritional Information
Here’s a quick look at the estimated nutritional information for each of these delightful thanksgiving themed cupcakes:
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 150mg
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 18g
- Protein: 3g
Keep in mind, these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes. Enjoy these tasty treats guilt-free!
FAQ Section
Can I use a different type of frosting? Absolutely! While cream cheese frosting is my favorite for these thanksgiving themed cupcakes, you can also use vanilla buttercream or even chocolate frosting if you’re feeling adventurous.
What can I substitute for pumpkin puree? If you don’t have pumpkin puree, you can substitute it with applesauce or mashed bananas for a different but equally tasty flavor.
How should I store these cupcakes? Store your cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, they freeze well for up to two months—just thaw them overnight in the fridge when you’re ready to enjoy!
Can I make these cupcakes gluten-free? Yes! Simply swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend, and you’ll have delicious gluten-free thanksgiving themed cupcakes everyone can enjoy!
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips? Of course! Feel free to fold in some chopped nuts or chocolate chips into the batter for added texture and flavor. Enjoy getting creative!
Print
Thanksgiving Themed Cupcakes: 5 Sweet Moments to Cherish
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious Thanksgiving themed cupcakes perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp pumpkin spice
- 1 cup cream cheese frosting
- Decorative toppings (e.g., candy corn, fall sprinkles)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in pumpkin puree and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk.
- Mix in pumpkin spice until well combined.
- Pour batter into cupcake liners, filling them 2/3 full.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.
- Frost with cream cheese frosting and add decorative toppings.
Notes
- Use fresh pumpkin puree for better flavor.
- Store cupcakes in an airtight container.
- These cupcakes can be made a day in advance.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: thanksgiving themed cupcakes, holiday cupcakes, pumpkin cupcakes, festive desserts
