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Spiced Pumpkin Mascarpone Cupcakes And A Housewarming Party


Let me start this by a little clarification. On my previous post about the Daring Bakers' Potato Bread challenge, I said that Tartelette was anti-carb….followed by a big "Yeah right…"! Obviously my sense of humor does not translate very well in writing because I am 100% "Pro-Carb". Trust me!! This said…

This week is just flying by….started slow for, about two hours and then I got bombarded with training requests and baking orders. Small things taking a long time and I was started to wonder if I was going to post these on time for the party. What party? My baking pal, Peabody is hosting a virtual housewarming party at her new and gorgeous abode next week.

I thought long and hard about what I wanted to bring. Needs to travel easily (which can be easily done with this), needs to feed a bunch of people because from the look of things we are going in numbers, but most importantly I wanted to make something for her. Although she never fails to surprise me, I think pumpkin and mascarpone are sure values with this lady. Since we also seem to share a love for all things small, cupcakes seemed like a good way to combine both in one sweet treat.

I wish I could say I went and bought a fresh pumpkin, gutted it out and used the flesh in the cupcakes…that would be like telling you I went and milked my own cow and waited patiently on the milk creaming process to make mascarpone…that would be a lie. If one Mrs.L is cool enough to put that pumpkin in the can, then I am cool enough to use it. The week is flying by remember…and I still need my four-five hours of sleep! If, on the other hand you are opposed to the idea, by all means, go ahead and use fresh. Sara, from I Like To Cook has great instructions for it here. If you can’t find or don’t like (crazy you!) mascarpone, by all means substitute cream cheese in the frosting. Feel free to decorate the cupcakes any way you like. I used hard candy pebbles for these for a more winter look but feel free to use other sprinkles or candies, or keep them plain. The recipe is a combination of several I have tried over the years and I am now finally happy with all the ratios, fat, pumpkin, spices, flour, etc….


Spiced Pumpkin Mascarpone Cupcakes:

Makes 24

3/4 cup butter softened (1 1/2 sticks)
1 3/4 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin
1 cup milk
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place baking cups in muffin pan.

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine pumpkin, vanilla extract and milk in a separate bowl. Mix flour, spices, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Add to butter/sugar mixture alternately with pumpkin/milk batter, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

Divide evenly among the cupcake liners and bake 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.

Mascarpone Cheese Frosting:

16 oz mascarpone cheese (1 pound), at room temperature

1 stick butter, at room temperature

4-5 cups sifted powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

In an electric mixer, beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed until creamy. Add 4 cups of the powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat until combined. Add more sugar, little by little until you get to the consistency and sweetness you like. If the frosting gets too stiff, add some milk, one teaspoon at a time.

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Comments


Anonymous November 29, 2007 um 8:49 pm

avec la crème au mascarpone cela doit être un pur régal!


Anonymous November 29, 2007 um 9:17 pm

You do know the way to my heart ;-). Looks great!!


Anonymous November 29, 2007 um 9:49 pm

Oh wow these cupcakes are calling my name what with mascarpone frosting!


Gigi November 29, 2007 um 10:40 pm

Just lovely. I love the hard sugar candies on top.


Cynthia November 29, 2007 um 11:06 pm

Me too! I like the candies on top 🙂


Anonymous November 29, 2007 um 11:08 pm

Just reading the title of today’s post had me drooling! OMG—these will be delicious!


Katia Mangham November 30, 2007 um 12:52 am

They look adorable…and yummy! For Thanksgiving I made something very similar, a pumpkin roulade sponge cake filled with mascarpone filling laced with Grand Marnier, (very yummy aswell). As for the canned pumpkin..I tested it last year– both ways, it was hard to tell the difference when it’s baked in a cake, in soup, or ravioli etc, the roasted was bettet, it had a deeper flavor. So have no 'canned pumpkin guilt' when you bake. 🙂


Anonymous November 30, 2007 um 1:09 am

Wow! Mascarpone and pumpkin, I am speechless :/


Clementine November 30, 2007 um 1:34 am

Where do you (and apparently anyone who is anyone in the blogging world) get those cupcake papers that look like the things you put condiments in? I like them quite a lot.


Helene November 30, 2007 um 1:45 am

Clementine: the cupcake liners are made by Wilton so anywhere they have products you can pretty much find them. Walmart, Michaels, ACMore and others.


test it comm November 30, 2007 um 2:16 am

These look really good. I like the mascarpone frosting.


Susan @ SGCC November 30, 2007 um 2:24 am

My motto is "You can never be too rich, thin or have too much mascarpone!" It would even be good mixed with spinach! It is definitely great with your lovely cupcakes. I’m going to have to drop by Peabody’s and get one!


Anonymous November 30, 2007 um 2:32 am

Peabody can only be honored with beauties like these.


Anonymous November 30, 2007 um 2:33 am

Peabody can only be honored with beauties like these.

Bea
La Tartine Gourmande


sher November 30, 2007 um 3:12 am

Oh no!! Did I miss the housewarming? Rats. I feel so bad–I need 4 or 5 of those cupcakes. I know they would make me feel better.


Rosa's Yummy Yums November 30, 2007 um 6:03 am

What marvelous cupcakes! So dainty!

Cheers,

Rosa


Peabody November 30, 2007 um 10:01 am

Seriously LOVING these…pumpkin and Mascarpone…two things you know I love!


Big Boys Oven November 30, 2007 um 10:06 am

oh! your cupcake lot so gorgeous white! so lovely!


Africantapestry and Myfrenchkitchen November 30, 2007 um 12:02 pm

Beautiful! I will always love a cupcake, no matter how old I get!
Ronell
PS: I apologise for the this link which will take you to my art blog…blogger has changed their comment format!


Patricia Scarpin November 30, 2007 um 12:09 pm

The minute I enter the party I’m going after these, Helen. I honestly don’t think I’ll be polite enough to grab only one! 😉


Aimée November 30, 2007 um 12:10 pm

Thanks for sharing your perfected recipe, Helen. I love the combination of pumpkin and mascarpone. Really beautiful!


Anonymous November 30, 2007 um 3:48 pm

want you to know if we had canned pumpkins here, I would use it too 🙂 the only ones available in groceries and markets in RP are wedged or whole fresh pumpkins.


Cookie baker Lynn November 30, 2007 um 4:04 pm

Perfect cupcakes for Peabody. She’ll love them. I know I do!


Anonymous November 30, 2007 um 5:56 pm

are these mini cupcakes? or normal size?

thanks!


Cheryl November 30, 2007 um 6:59 pm

Beautiful little cupcakes. I always love anything made in those sweet white containers.


Kelly November 30, 2007 um 7:06 pm

these cupcakes look absolutely dreamy! and since they have pumpkin in them I’m definitely going to have to give them a go! thanks.


Purl's Gurl November 30, 2007 um 7:52 pm

Why thank you miss Tartlette, I do believe you have chosen my dessert for the weekend! The boyfriend will be very pleased!


Brilynn December 1, 2007 um 2:08 am

If Peabody doesn’t like those cupcakes, I’ll take them!


Unknown December 1, 2007 um 8:49 am

..your cupcakes make my heart jump..
Gisela


Chou December 1, 2007 um 10:35 am

These cupcakes look like they’re going to worm their way into my heart before I know it. Yum.

Thank you so much for the advice for my sad little starter. I’ll keep you posted!


Lis December 1, 2007 um 3:35 pm

*thud!*

xoxo


Anonymous December 1, 2007 um 4:09 pm

Lovely cupcakes! I love the perfect swirls 🙂


Susan from Food Blogga December 1, 2007 um 5:35 pm

I wish I could have a house warming party so I could invite you and delight in these cupcakes. They must be as delicious as they are pretty.


Jaime December 1, 2007 um 7:51 pm

this cupcakes look amazing! makes me want to go out and buy some mascarpone cheese just so i can make them today….


desie December 1, 2007 um 8:43 pm

these are gorgeous and the flavours sound awesome. i will try this to feed the masses at christmas time.


Jay December 1, 2007 um 11:21 pm

oooh that looks tasty!


LizNoVeggieGirl December 2, 2007 um 1:00 am

Did someone actually think that you were serious when you said that your blog was anti-carb? wow, people need to get a sense of humor, haha.

you’ve certainly been busy!! how wonderful though that you were able to make these Spiced Pumpkin Mascarpone Cupcakes on time, for Peabody’s virtual housewarming party. I too made a baked good for her party!! looking forward to "seeing" you there! :0D


creampuff December 2, 2007 um 4:15 am

Will you come and live with me … bring the cupcakes.


Jeanne December 2, 2007 um 6:05 pm

OMG, I have got to have some of these! Everything about these sounds completely irresistible, and so gorgeous to look at too 🙂 Looks like my beloved pumpkin spice latte in solid form…


Nora B. December 2, 2007 um 8:01 pm

Hi Helen,
I’d be happy just with the mascarpone frosting!

Nora


Anonymous December 3, 2007 um 1:40 am

i made these this weekend. and they were super delicious!! thanks for the recipe!


Amanda December 3, 2007 um 3:07 am

I LOVE MARSCAPONE!! What a delicious looking recipe- I can’t wait to try it!


Anonymous December 3, 2007 um 4:19 am

With mascarpone in it I would eat the whole tray! These look so good!


Suzana December 3, 2007 um 10:37 am

Pumpkin & mascarpone? that sounds delicious – I might have to try those!


Deborah December 5, 2007 um 7:37 pm

These sound amazing!! It looks like they might be the first thing to go, so you better bring lots of them!


Unknown December 5, 2007 um 10:50 pm

These look amazing!


Anonymous December 9, 2007 um 5:50 pm

hi i was wondering where you buy your cupcake liners ehehe


Recetas al instante December 14, 2007 um 9:42 pm

wow are you a chef?
What a great blog of recipes.
I Have a blog in spanish with recipes.
olga


Le Flâneur Novice January 2, 2008 um 12:14 pm

Skipped this recipe 😀

Helene, we don’t have canned pumpkin here. What can be used to substitute? Baked pumpkin? Or just boiled? Or fresh? lol


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