Spiced Pumpkin Cupcakes

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 350.
2. 2
   Line muffin pan with paper liners.
3. 3
   In a small bowl, mix together flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
4. 4
   In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, oil and eggs until smooth. Add pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and vanilla. Beat well.
5. 5
   Slowly add flour mixture, beating until smooth.
6. 6
   Scoop batter into prepared muffin pan. Bake in preheated oven for 22-27 minutes or until tops of cupcakes spring back when lightly touched.
7. 7
   Let cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes.
8. 8
   Removes cupcakes from pan and let cool completely on rack.
9. 9
   To make frosting: In a bowl, using and electric mixer on low speed, beat together cream cheese, butter and salt until creamy.
10. 10
    Add sugar a little at a time, beating until combined.
11. 11
    Increase speed to high and beat until light and fluffy.
12. 12
    If you would like stiffer or sweeter frosting you can add more sugar at this stage 1/4 cup at a time until desired consistency is reached.
13. 13
    If you would like spicy frosting add the 1 teaspoon of pie spice to the mixture and beat just until evenly distributed. Optionally you can use it to dust the tops of the frosted cupcakes.
14. 14
    Pipe or spoon frosting onto completely cooled cupcakes.