A Taste of Fall

As the leaves are changing and the weather starts to turn crisp, I start craving those comforting fall flavors. This weekend I made spiced pumpkin muffins. Pumpkin bread is so versatile, you can morph pumpkin muffins into pumpkin cupcakes with a swipe of cream cheese frosting!

Here is the recipe I used for the cinnamon cream cheese frosting:

8 oz (one package) cream cheese

1/2 cup (one stick) butter

1 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 tablespoon cinnamon

If you are going to try a design on your pumpkin cupcakes, chill the frosting in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes before frosting. I decided to try a basket weave pattern because it reminds me of a bushel you would carry to pick pumpkins or apples in an orchard(you know, with your straw hat and your perfect kids as the singing birds are helping you reach the high hanging fruit? The way we all go apple picking, right?!) I had never attempted this basket weave pattern before, but let me tell you, it is so simple!

I used a flat tip with ridges on one side. First, I applied stripes horizontally across the whole cupcake. Then, turn the cupcake so the stripes face you vertically. Start in between two of the lines toward the bottom, and swipe horizontally right over the vertical line. Do this over every other line, and in between on the next row. Make sure you finish off the sides for a complete look. Wa-la! Don't worry if it's not perfect. It's an overall look you're going for, and you can just eat the bad ones first! They taste just as good! And there you have it-a bushel of pumpkin cupcakes! Give them away as gifts in an inexpensive straw basket for ultimate presentation.

If you don't have a cake decorating kit, don't be intimidated. Start out with a kit like this one that includes everything you'll need!