Brown butter pumpkin cupcakes with caramel cream cheese frosting are filled with warm spices and sweet salty flavor – the perfect way to welcome in the fall season!
brown butter pumpkin cupcakes with caramel cream cheese frosting

When someone walks into your life, sits down next to you at a vegan restaurant on the upper east side (actually, I think we sat across from each other, but I can also barely remember what I had for breakfast today, so who knows), and happens to harbor a pumpkin obsession that rivals your own…

….you pretty much have two life options.

(a) run away screaming because this is obviously your evil twin

or

(b) make him/her one of your best friends and live happily ever after

brown butter pumpkin cupcakes

In the case of Lauren from Keep It Sweet Desserts….I went with the latter option.

And happily ever after it most certainly has been.

IMG_1575

Lauren and I have known each other for four years and even though so much has changed in our lives throughout this time, including but not limited to inter-state moves, engagements, career changes, one thing that has remained constant is our friendship. Whenever I am asked what I love most about blogging, one of my answers is always the friends that I have made along the way, and my relationship with Lauren is a prime example of that. She is one of the sweetest, most generous people that I know, and I am so lucky to have her in my life.

Case in point – at 36 weeks pregnant and fairly ready to pop, she bachelorette partied the night away with me this past weekend and even supplied the party with the best cookies and brownies I’ve ever tasted in my life. I’m pretty sure they singlehandedly staved off a hangover yesterday morning, and for that I shall be eternally grateful.

IMG_1580

The day that Lauren told me she was pregnant was one of the happiest, namely because I knew how much she and her husband wanted to have a baby and also because I knew just how blessed that baby would be to have parents as amazing as they are. Lauren is going to be the best mom and I am so excited to meet this little boy that she has been baking away and toting around with her these past nine months!

I suspect that he will be even more delicious than her world famous brownies.

(And that is really really delicious.)

brown butter pumpkin cupcakes 1Lauren'sShower

So with that I just want to say CONGRATULATIONS to Lauren and shower her with all my love in the form of these brown butter pumpkin cupcakes. Lauren and I have bonded many a time over our mutual love of all things fall baking (but also our obsession with Bi-Rite ice cream, which we may or may not have once walked five miles to obtain just so we could justify eating it for lunch…and then followed up with Pinkberry for dessert) and I know she would fall head over heels for these cupcakes. The nutty brown butter flavor pairs perfectly with the warm fall spices and pumpkin infusion, and the sweet and salty caramel cream cheese frosting cuts all that richness so that you can eat a whole cupcake without it feeling overly decadent.

I love you Lauren! And I can’t wait until this little guy of yours makes his entrance into this world so that I can shower him with love and cupcakes as well.

There’s lots of Lauren love going around today, so check out what some of our other friends are showering her with!

Mini Pumpkin Layer Cakes from The Baker Chick

Mini Apple Spice Cupcakes from Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts

Mini Nutella Brownies from The Cooking Actress

Mini Iced Oatmeal Cookie Apple Pies from Girl Versus Dough

Pickles in a Blanket from The Lemon Bowl

Mini No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecakes from Bake or Break

Mini Cookie Milkshakes from We Are Not Martha

Mini Chocolate and Peanut Butter Fondant Cakes from London Bakes

Double Decker Birthday Cake Blondie Bites from Baker By Nature

Mini Brown Butter Pumpkin Cupcakes from Eats Well With Others

Roasted Caprese Stack with Peaches from Warm Vanilla Sugar

Crunchy Cookie Butter M&M Bars from The Avid Appetite

Mini Pumpkin Streusel Pies from Espresso and Cream

Brown Butter Pumpkin Cupcakes with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting
 
Brown butter pumpkin cupcakes with caramel cream cheese frosting are filled with warm spices and sweet salty flavor - the perfect way to welcome in the fall season!
Yield: 15 cupcakes
Ingredients
For the cupcakes
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter
  • 1⅔ cup all purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ⅛ tsp ground cloves
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
For the caramel frosting
  • 1 lb confectioner's sugar, divided
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 (8 oz) package reduced fat cream cheese, room temperature
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 325. Line cupcake pan with paper liners.
  2. Put the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Allow it to melt and simmer until it turns brown and nutty. Remove pan from the heat and pour the butter into a heatproof bowl to stop the cooking. Set aside to cool.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, brown sugar, sugar, eggs, and butter. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and whisk until just combined.
  4. Divide the batter among the paper liners so that they are about ⅔ full. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer to wire racks. Allow to cool for a few minutes and then remove to wire racks to cool completely.
  5. To make the frosting, sprinkle ½ cup confectioner's sugar to a small nonstick skillet. Set over medium heat and allow to melt, cooking until it turns an amber color. Remove from the heat and stir in the cream, vanilla extract, and salt. Return to the heat and stir until any hardened bits of caramel melt. Set aside to cool.
  6. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and cream cheese on medium speed, until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Gradually mix in the remaining confectioner's sugar, until totally combined. Mix in the cooled caramel on medium speed until light and fluffy. Chill for an hour.
  7. Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 cupcake

IMG_1587

blog_share_subscribe
Share →

72 Responses to Brown Butter Pumpkin Cupcakes with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

  1. […] Mini Brown Butter Pumpkin Cupcakes from Eats Well With Others […]

  2. […] Mini Brown Butter Pumpkin Cupcakes from Eats Well With Others […]

  3. […] Mini Brown Butter Pumpkin Cupcakes from Eats Well With Others […]

  4. Sune Moolman says:

    Congratulations to Lauren! And how cool is the online baby shower?
    This looks freakin’ fantastic! I’ll whip together twenty batches of that caramel frosting and then make another batch for the cupcakes. Yummy!!

  5. […] Mini Brown Butter Pumpkin Cupcakes from Eats Well With Others […]

  6. awwwwwwwwwwwww!!!! I love what good friends you and Lauren are and I love that she hardcore bachelorette’d it up for you! 😛 This shower was so brilliant and I’m so happy I was able to participate!

    and oooooh that caramel buttercream is SINGING to meeeeee

  7. […] Mini Brown Butter Pumpkin Cupcakes from Eats Well With Others […]

  8. Awwww, how exciting! I love that you two have developed such an awesome friendship. These cupcakes look amazing – a wonderful way to celebrate this special time for Lauren and her husband. Wishing them the best!

  9. debbie says:

    These cupcakes are on my list of fall recipes that I have to make! We all love pumpkin here and for whatever reason I rarely make cupcakes. Have to try these. Loved reading about your friendship with Lauren. So nice to make a new friend!

  10. awh, I love this. . your friendship with Lauren sounds so great and sweet!! and dude, I’m down with anything that has browned butter. . Winning!!

  11. I love you and these cupcakes! You are seriously one of the biggest highlights of blogging… I still think of our 5-hour cross-country flight together and how we never ran out of a thing to talk about. That weekend was SO much fun because of you. Thank you for being such a great friend! xoxo

    And Saturday was so much fun, I’m so glad I could be a part of it!

  12. Sues says:

    Such a sweet post!!! Can we please get together for a real shower so I can try these?? 🙂

  13. Such a sweet post, J! Love these cupcakes, too. Mmmm, brown butter!

  14. I absolutely love this friendship story! You guys are the cutest. And these cuppy cakes are the first thing I’d grab at a non-virtual baby shower! LOVE!

  15. Beth says:

    Congratulations to Lauren! And I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with these awesome cupcakes.

  16. bellini says:

    These are definitely “all that” Joanne. You know how much we love pumpkin now that the season is here. Perfect for anytime.

  17. This was such a wonderful, sweet post… isn’t it amazing the connections we make via the blogging world? It’s just magical. So nice of y’all to throw this baby shower for Lauren. And, of course, I won’t be able to stop thinking about these cupcakes.

  18. Your friend sounds like a keeper 🙂 I love my girlfriends. They are important! These cupcakes looks awesome too! Love the caramel frosting

  19. […] Mini Brown Butter Pumpkin Cupcakes from Eats Well With Others […]

  20. Trisha says:

    Yay for bachelorette parties and yummy cupcakes! These are gorgeous and I’m drooling over that caramel buttercream…YUM! She’s lucky to have you as a friend!

  21. What a beautiful start to a beautiful friendship! These treats are gorgeous too.

  22. danielle says:

    What a great story!! And these cupcakes – amazing!

  23. Oh yes, all things autumn are happening here and I like it! So comforting!

  24. Audra says:

    Aw what a sweet post. I love both of you and I’m so glad we all met all those years ago! I can also vouch for the amazing-ness that is these cupcakes having been lucky enough to try one! Xo

  25. Awwww… I love how good of friends you two are! So lucky to have each other in this crazy world. Love these cupcakes, so cute and that frosting sounds incredible!

  26. So sweet! Both the post and the cupcakes. 🙂

  27. Awww – such a lovely tribute to yalls friendship! Best wishes and congrats to your friend Joanne. These cupcakes are irresistible!

  28. Pam says:

    I love the friends I have made through blogging too. These cupcakes look AMAZING! When do we get pictures of the bachelorette party?

  29. Rachel says:

    what a beautiful post Joanne! this had me tearing up a bit 🙂 the blogging world is a great place to live.

    also..these cupcakes. o.m.g. yum!

  30. This is so so sweet to honor your friend Lauren this way! Love these cupcakes too- yummy !! We could eat an entire dozen.. !!

  31. Jessie says:

    Aww! What a sweet post for a sweet friend (congrats Lauren!), especially as she did not turn out to be an evil twin 😉 Hello fall and welcome baby (soon)!

  32. Zainab says:

    Awww I love this post!!! Your friendship is just amazing. Congratulations Lauren!!!

  33. Lisa says:

    I’m usually more of a savory gal, but oh my, how could I resist? Pumpkin is not be resisted. Fantastic recipe Joanne and best wishes to your friend.

  34. I just want you to know that as much as I love you, I would not party hop with you while 36 weeks prego. Lauren took one for the team – gotta love it! The cupcakes are epic. Pinned!

  35. This is such a lovely post…and seriously lovely cupcakes! Even the most whole hearted summer lovers would surely convert to fall for these 🙂

  36. These days I just can’t get enough of pumpkins! Your cupcakes look decadent and divine!

  37. cheri says:

    What wonderful looking cupcakes, beautiful decorating. Congrats to Lauren!

  38. Kate says:

    What a sweet (get it?) friendship.

  39. Kelly says:

    Aaaw, I absolutely love this post! Such a wonderful friendship and these cupcakes are just perfect! I love the brown butter, pumpkin and caramel buttercream combo – just amazing! Congratulations to Lauren 🙂

  40. Tina says:

    What a sweet thing to make these cupcakes – congrats to Lauren!! Did you save me maybe one little cupcake??!

  41. Hotly Spiced says:

    I love the combination of pumpkin and caramel and your cupcakes are so pretty. I’m glad Lauren was able to make your party at 36 weeks. How will she be at your wedding! How lovely that she’s having a baby shower. I had one with my last pregnancy and it was such a great opportunity to get all your special girlfriends together xx

  42. Megan says:

    Congrats to Lauren! These cupcakes look absolutely mouthwatering!

  43. These cupcakes look amazing! I’m loving the brown butter in there, and the caramel buttercream sounds incredible!

  44. Eileen says:

    Yay, babies! And yay for cupcakes as well. You have to love the classic flavor combination of pumpkin and cream cheese. 🙂

  45. Sammie says:

    Those cupcakes are so gorgeous I want a bite of them too! Pumpkin season always calls for the most gorgeous pumpkin recipes!

  46. Thanks so much to you and Audra for hosting this fun party! Aaaaand now I’m going to be that girl who eats more than her fair share of these pumpkin cupcakes. Sorry/not sorry.

  47. Knowing Lauren has been one of the highlights of my blogging life as well. Can’t wait to see her embark on the next chapter of her life!

  48. So nice. Having good friends makes life so much interesting! I am new to your site and love your food pics!

  49. […] Ces pumpkin cupcakes sont l’incarnation même de l’automne gourmande! […]

  50. Allison says:

    These look too pretty to eat! What a gorgeous recipe (and photos!). Pumpkin and caramel together would be insanely delicious. I think I need one of these for breakfast. Yum!!!!

  51. Tash says:

    OMG Joanne – these are exceptionally exceptional! So beautifully decorated and blended with the PERFECT spices + flavours. Caramel has a special place in my heart. Pinning without question. xx

  52. What a sweet baby shower with such kind words!
    Loving these cupcakes. That buttercream icing sounds amazing!

  53. Lynn says:

    So lovely to have a friend like that. I love icing like that so much.

  54. Aww these cupcakes would be perfect for such a special occasion. They look beyond delicious 😀

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  55. Reeni says:

    How lucky to find a friend like that through blogging! The cupcakes are gorgeous and sound downright dreamy!

  56. Isadora says:

    OMG! I have now words for this! They look and sound so amazing and I wish I had a pan full right now! Pumpkin and caramel sound like a dream come true!

  57. Gahhh! I wanna grab all that gorgeous caramel buttercream outta my screen. It looks absolutely dreamy with those super soft-looking pumpkin cupcakes!

  58. It is great to have friends like Lauren.
    I love these cupcakes, pumpkin is always a good thing.

  59. Kathryn says:

    Blogging friends are the best! I love these cupcakes – they are so perfect for Lauren’s virtual shower!

  60. Johanna GGG says:

    oh that is a really lovely story – congrats to lauren – and yes to those gorgeous cupcakes

  61. grace says:

    that frosting is just outstanding! i like the garnish too. 🙂

  62. Kinsey says:

    Those look unbelievable! I have been looking for a good pumpkin recipe now that it’s officially fall, and I think this is what I’ll being doing with my first can!

  63. Lori R. says:

    Nothing better than sharing in the happiness of a friend. Caramel frosting?! What a great idea for a pumpkin topper!

  64. […] Mini Brown Butter Pumpkin Cupcakes from Eats Well With Others […]

  65. […] Mini Brown Butter Pumpkin Cupcakes from Eats Well With Others […]

  66. Kristi says:

    Just made these with my kiddos. Soooooooo yummy! Great combination. The frosting was to-die-for, and the most complicated I’ve made so far, but sooooo worth it! Thanks for the awesome recipe!

  67. Melissa says:

    Please tell how much caramel to put in the frosting? I don’t see it any where I did a search for caramel on this page and didn’t see it in the comments either. Am I blind? Did I miss it somewhere? Help! I want to make these this week.

    • joanne says:

      The frosting recipe includes directions for making the caramel, and then you add all of whatever you make. Unfortunately I didn’t measure it after I made it so I can’t direct you on what to do if you wanted to just buy the caramel, but if you follow the recipe it will work out!

  68. […] Cupcakes adapted from my Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream and Joanne Eats Well With Others. Frosting adapted from Dinners, Dishes & […]

  69. I love her blog, too! What a nice story, and BEAUTIFUL cupcakes!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *