Lightly spiced pumpkin cupcakes topped with a homemade marshmallow frosting and drizzled with homemade caramel. A decadent and portable fall dessert sure to impress!
Make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C) with a rack in the center position. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners and set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. Set aside. In a small measuring cup, combine the milk and vanilla extract.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter at medium speed until creamy, about 30 seconds. Add the granulated sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 1 to 2 minutes. Over low speed, add one egg at a time and mix until each egg is just incorporated. Add the pumpkin puree and mix until combined. The batter will look slightly broken.
Over low speed, add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with two additions of milk, until the ingredients are just combined. Using a spatula, scrape down the bottom of the bowl to ensure all of the ingredients are incorporated evenly.
Using a spoon or large scoop, divide the batter evenly among the muffin tin cups – filling the cups ¾ up to the top. Bake for 22 to 24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into cupcake center comes out clean.
Place the muffin tin on a cooling rack and allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the pan and place directly on the rack. Cool completely before frosting.
Prepare the caramel: In a medium saucepan, combine the super-fine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Bring to a boil, without stirring, until the sugar mixture reaches a dark amber color or a candy thermometer reaches 350°F (176°C). Remove the pan from heat and whisk in the heavy cream – the mixture will bubble and spit, so be very careful. Add the butter and salt, and whisk until smooth. Transfer the caramel to a heatproof bowl and chill in the refrigerator. The caramel will thicken considerably as it cools. Sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before using.
Prepare the frosting: Fill a small saucepan with roughly 1-inch of water. Bring to a low simmer. Combine the egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar, and salt in a stand mixer bowl. Place over the saucepan (ensuring that the simmering water does not touch the bottom of the bowl). Using the stand mixer whisk attachment, whisk the mixture constantly until the sugar has completely dissolved – grab a tiny bit between your thumb and forefinger and rub it together in your fingers to test this – and the egg whites are very warm to the touch – about 5 minutes.
Transfer the bowl to the stand mixer and beat over medium speed for 1 minute. Increase the speed to high and beat for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the frosting is thick, shiny, and holds its peak. Add the vanilla extract and whisk until just combined.
Add the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star or round tip. Frost each cupcake. Decorate and drizzle with (room temperature) caramel as desired. Serve immediately.
Tips for Success:
I highly recommend seeking out super fine granulated sugar (eg. Baker’s brand sugar) or caster sugar for the marshmallow frosting, as it dissolves much more readily and will produce a much finer, smoother textured frosting. Any extras can be used in lieu of traditional sugar (1:1 replacement) in other baked goods.
Cream of tartar, a byproduct of wine and grape juice processing, is an acidic salt and acts as a stabilizer for whipped egg whites in baked goods.
Marshmallow frosting recipe adapted slightly from Chowhound.