Brown Butter Pumpkin Cupcakes with Caramel Cream Cheese FrostingCupcakes¾ cup (1 1

Brown Butter Pumpkin Cupcakes with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting Cupcakes¾ cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon salt½ teaspoon ground cinnamon¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg1/8 teaspoon ground cloves1 cup pumpkin puree1 cup packed light brown sugar½ cup granulated sugar2 large eggs, at room temperatureFrosting1 lb confectioners’ sugar, sifted divided½ cup plus 1 tablespoon heavy cream1 teaspoon vanilla extract¼ teaspoon salt1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, at room temperature¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, at room temperaturePreheat oven to 325 F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.Add the butter to a medium saucepan and set over medium-low heat. The butter will melt then begin to bubble and foam. Eventually it will start to turn brown and smell nutty - be patient and watch carefully, it can go from brown to burned quickly. Remove the pan from the heat and pour the butter into a small heatproof bowl to stop the cooking. Set aside to cool.In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Grab a second medium bowl and add the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs and the cooled brown butter. Whisk until thoroughly combined. Add the dry ingredients to the bowl and whisk just until combined. Divide the batter among the liners, filling each about 2/3 to ¾ full. Bake for 20-25 minutes (rotating the pans halfway through), or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer the pans to wire racks and let the cupcakes cool for just a few minutes before removing them to the racks to cool completely.To make the frosting: Add ½ cup of the confectioners’ sugar to a small nonstick skillet. Try to sprinkle in an even layer. Set the pan over medium heat and let the sugar sit untouched until it melts - it’ll seem like it takes forever to start melting, but once it gets going, it goes fast. Continue cooking until the sugar turns an amber color, stirring occasionally - keep an eye on it, it can burn quickly. Add ½ cup of the cream, the vanilla and salt (carefully, the mixture will bubble up!). Stir until any hardened bits of caramel melt. Add the remaining tablespoon of cream and stir to incorporate. Strain the caramel into a heatproof bowl and set aside to cool.Combine the cream cheese and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Gradually add the remaining confectioners’ sugar, stopping to scrape the sides of the bowl as necessary. Once all the sugar has been added, mix in the cooled caramel. Beat the frosting on medium speed until smooth and fluffy. Cover the chill until the frosting is firm enough to pipe (I think it was about an hour for me).To assemble the cupcakes: Transfer the frosting to a pastry bag fitted with a tip. Pipe frosting into a swirl on each cupcake. Garnish with more caramel sauce or a caramel square, if desired.Makes about 15 cupcakes -- source link

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