Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2 tbsp finely minced candied ginger
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz full-fat cream cheese, chilled
- 4 oz mascarpone cheese, chilled
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp heavy cream
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy. Incorporate eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in the pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, and minced candied ginger until the batter is uniform.
- Slowly stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients on low speed, stopping as soon as no streaks of flour remain.
- Divide the batter evenly among the liners, filling each about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 20–22 minutes, or until the tops spring back when lightly touched.
- Prepare frosting by beating chilled cream cheese, mascarpone, and softened butter together. Add powdered sugar and ground ginger, beating until smooth. Add heavy cream if needed for consistency.
- Pipe the frosting onto cooled cupcakes using a piping bag with a star tip.