Pumpkin chai cupcakes are a fun way to bring the spicy flavors of a pumpkin spice latte into a cupcake form! Small batch cupcake recipe makes just 4 cupcakes.
Have you seen my pumpkin ebook for 25 pumpkin recipe that aren’t pie and 1 that is? I think you would love it.
I found a way to cram a full ½ cup of pumpkin into just 4 cupcakes. It's one of my gifts, I tell ya! Which reminds me, have you seen my Pumpkin Nutella Muffins yet?
It feels like pumpkin spice is getting all the love this year, when really, chai lattes are just waiting for us all year to enjoy them. I love a good pumpkin spice latte for sure, but my everyday drink is a chai. While I can only wait for my favorite coffee shop to carry a pumpkin chai latte, I had to make cupcakes in the meantime!
This is a small batch recipe for pumpkin chai cupcakes with a spiced buttercream. You can use any spices you like, or leave them all out and use vanilla instead. Whatever you want to frost your pumpkin cupcake with is up to you! If the only spice you have is cinnamon, that's super yummy here, too.
How to decorate pumpkin chai cupcakes:
I used a Wilton star tip to make the little star frosting decorations, and it couldn't have been easier! Even I am impressed with myself, hah!
Other pumpkin desserts for two that I love include: pumpkin creme brulee, pumpkin whoopie pies, and my small pumpkin cake roll. If you're looking for ways to incorporate pumpkin into breakfast, you have to check out my small batch pumpkin scones for two.
Okay, I'm leaving you in a pumpkin haze to enjoy the Fall weather! I hope you love these pumpkin chai cupcakes!
Oh, since you might ask, YES you can double this recipe is you need more than a small batch of pumpkin cupcakes. These would be so great to share!
Pumpkin Chai Cupcakes
Yields 4 pumpkin cupcakes with chai buttercream.
Ingredients
For the cupcakes:
- 7 tablespoons flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the chai buttercream:
- 1 ⅓ cups powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons softened butter
- 1 chai tea bag + 2 tablespoons boiling water (or 2 teaspoons chai concentrate syrup)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 and line a muffin pan with 4 cupcake liners.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, sugar and vegetable oil. Add the wet mixture to the flour mixture and stir until combined. Don't overmix.
- Divide between the cupcake liners and bake for 28-32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- While the cupcakes cool, pour the boiling water over the chai tea bag and let steep for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, beat together the butter and powdered sugar until fluffy (about 3-4 minutes). Add the brewed tea (or chai concentrate syrup) and mix well. Frost the cupcakes when they are completely cool and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 495Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 346mgCarbohydrates: 71gFiber: 2gSugar: 57gProtein: 4g
Hilary C says
Um, wow. I made these a few days ago and I couldn't stop tasting the frosting before I put it on the cupcakes. And then WITH the cupcakes. Amazing. It blew my boyfriend's mind. He immediately offered to buy the ingredients to make them again. So, so good.
Angela says
Best pumpkin cupcakes!! I use the recipe for cake too. Perfect every time! I love how soft and moist the cake is. Do you think I could substitute the pumpkin puree for another? I am looking for a perfect mango cake, so I was thinking mango puree! Thanks!
Christina Lane says
Yay! thank you! I think mango would be too watery. I would try apple sauce? Anything commonly substituted for oil (like pumpkin is) might work. I'm sorry, I haven't tried it!