Name: Pumpkin spice cupcakes
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 140g butter softened; 120g golden caster sugar; 2 eggs; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 140g self-raising flour; 2 tbsp pumpkin spice mixture or you can make your own (see 'goes well with'); 2-3 tbsp milk plus extra for the icing if needed; 100g unsalted butter softened; 100g icing sugar sieved; ½ tbsp pumpkin spice mixture; 200g full-fat soft cheese

For the sponge

140g butter
softened
120g golden caster sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
140g self-raising flour
2 tbsp pumpkin spice mixture
or you can make your own (see 'goes well with')
2-3 tbsp milk
plus extra for the icing if needed

For the icing

100g unsalted butter
softened
100g icing sugar
sieved
½ tbsp pumpkin spice mixture
200g full-fat soft cheese

Method

step 1
Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with cupcake cases. Beat the butter and sugar together using an electric whisk until the mixture is light and fluffy, scraping down the edges to combine. Gradually beat in the eggs and vanilla.
step 2
Fold in the flour and pumpkin spice, followed by the milk, and combine until you have a smooth batter. Using a tablespoon, divide the mixture between the cupcake cases, around two-thirds full. Bake for 12-15 mins – they should be firm to the touch and slightly golden brown. Cool in the tin for 5 mins, then lift them out gently onto a wire rack and leave to cool completely.
step 3
Meanwhile, make the cream cheese icing. Using a stand mixer or electric whisk, beat the butter, icing sugar and pumpkin spice mix together until it turns smooth and pale, about 1-2 mins. Add the soft cheese and whisk for a further 3-4 mins until it thickens – it will turn runny and then thicken up again.
step 4
You can either put the icing into a piping bag and pipe it in a circle on top of the cooled cupcakes, or spoon it on top of the cupcakes and swirl it with the back of a spoon. Dust with extra pumpkin spice, if you like.