Two Girls, One Craft: Pumpkin Cupcakes

Okay, so you are looking at the title and thinking, “this isn’t a DIY project?” Technically you are right, but technically you are wrong. This week we decided to try something different from our usual project. We decided to take on the power of baking. Some of you who know us personally may be a little frightened, but we Girl-Scout-Swear that these muffins are good.

We are well into the season of fall, which means pumpkin. Everything pumpkin. Pumpkins on porches, pumpkin flavoring in coffees, pumpkin candles in entryways, but the best pumpkin smell of all is fresh pumpkin muffins. We introduce to you, our first DIY food project: How to make your own pumpkin muffins.

Ingredients you will need:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon AND 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 can of pumpkin puree
• 4 large eggs
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup of orange juice
• Cupcake liners
• Cupcake pan
• Cooling racks

You can buy these ingredients at any local grocery store.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
2. Mix flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt into bowl.
3. Combine sugar, pumpkin puree, eggs, oil and juice into a separate bowl. Mix with beaters until smooth. Add dry ingredients to mixer while beating. Beat until smooth.
4. Spoon batter into cupcake liners, ¾ the way full.
5. Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes; until golden.
6. Remove cupcakes from pan and place on cooling racks for 10-15 minutes.

This recipe makes 30 regular cupcakes.

Not only are these cupcakes delicious, they are ridiculously easy and fast to make. I wish I had this recipe last year when I forgot to bring dessert to my friends’ fall potluck. You may use this recipe to make an everyday treat or an apology gift to your neighbor for accidentally running into their mailbox (oops). No matter what you make these for, we hope the sweet smell of pumpkin brightens your fall day.