{"id":5600,"date":"2014-10-09T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2014-10-09T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/?p=5600"},"modified":"2014-10-06T22:20:03","modified_gmt":"2014-10-07T02:20:03","slug":"a-month-of-spookdays-chocolate-pumpkin-cupcakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/?p=5600","title":{"rendered":"A Month of Spookdays: Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-10.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5610\" src=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-10.jpg\" alt=\"cpc 10\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-10.jpg 800w, https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-10-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>My forays into holiday food have been so-so this year. I even had one unmitigated disaster that went straight into the trash. If I run out of things to blog, I&#8217;ll tell you about it.<\/p>\n<p>I decided that it was my penchant for substituting important things that was doing me wrong. Obviously, I need to experiment more with using sugar substitutes. This time, I pulled out the real stuff. I used three different recipes, which I&#8217;ll link, and combined them into deliciousness. Seriously, these things are freakin&#8217; amazing. Also: sugar coma. I made a couple of minor changes, and the baking instructions are different. Here we go.<\/p>\n<p><strong>CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN CUPCAKE<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5602\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-01.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5602\" class=\"wp-image-5602 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-01.jpg\" alt=\"cpc 01\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-01.jpg 800w, https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-01-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5602\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This batter was soooo tasty<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Pumpkin Batter (<a href=\"http:\/\/allrecipes.com\/Recipe\/Pumpkin-Spice-Cupcakes\/Detail.aspx\">original recipe<\/a>):<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>1 cup all-purpose flour<\/li>\n<li>1 teaspoon ground cinnamon<\/li>\n<li>1\/2 teaspoon ground garam masala (ginger in the original recipe&#8211;use if you like)<\/li>\n<li>1\/2 teaspoon allspice<\/li>\n<li>1\/2 teaspoon nutmeg<\/li>\n<li>1\/2 teaspoon baking powder<\/li>\n<li>1\/2 teaspoon baking soda<\/li>\n<li>1\/2 teaspoon salt<\/li>\n<li>1 stick butter, softened<\/li>\n<li>1\/2 cup sugar<\/li>\n<li>1\/2 cup canned pure pumpkin puree<\/li>\n<li>1 1\/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract<\/li>\n<li>2 large eggs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<li>In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda and 1\/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside.<\/li>\n<li>In a large bowl, add the butter and the sugar. Beat with a hand-held mixer until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.<\/li>\n<li>Add the pumpkin puree and the vanilla extract. Slowly beat in the eggs, one at a time. Incorporate the dry mixture into the wet mixtures together until thoroughly combined.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Chocolate Batter (<a href=\"http:\/\/addapinch.com\/cooking\/chocolate-cupcakes-recipe\/\">original recipe<\/a>):<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"ingredient\"><strong>Chocolate Cupcakes<\/strong><\/li>\n<li class=\"ingredient\">1 cup all-purpose flour<\/li>\n<li class=\"ingredient\">1 cup granulated sugar<\/li>\n<li class=\"ingredient\">\u00bd cup cocoa<\/li>\n<li class=\"ingredient\">1 teaspoon baking powder<\/li>\n<li class=\"ingredient\">\u00bd teaspoon baking soda<\/li>\n<li class=\"ingredient\">\u00bd teaspoon salt<\/li>\n<li class=\"ingredient\">\u00bd cup milk<\/li>\n<li class=\"ingredient\">\u00bc cup vegetable oil<\/li>\n<li class=\"ingredient\">1 egg<\/li>\n<li class=\"ingredient\">\u00bd teaspoon vanilla<\/li>\n<li class=\"ingredient\">\u00bd cup boiling water<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<li>Add flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt and espresso powder to a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk through to combine or, using your paddle attachment, stir through flour mixture until combined well.<\/li>\n<li>Add milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla to flour mixture and mix together on medium speed until well combined. Reduce speed and carefully add boiling water to the cake batter. Beat on high speed for about 1 minute to add air to the batter.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div id=\"attachment_5601\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-02.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5601\" class=\"wp-image-5601 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-02.jpg\" alt=\"cpc 02\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-02.jpg 800w, https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-02-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5601\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Yep, completely different consistencies. It works out.<\/p><\/div>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li>Preheat oven to 325\u00b0<\/li>\n<li>Put cupcake liners in muffin tin, spray lightly with nonstick spray. I was skeptical about this, but it really did help.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div id=\"attachment_5603\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-03.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5603\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5603\" src=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-03.jpg\" alt=\"Festive!\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-03.jpg 800w, https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-03-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5603\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Festive!<\/p><\/div>\n<ol start=\"5\">\n<li>Put a glob of pumpkin batter in the middle of the liner. Pour a bit of chocolate over the top, and move on to the next cupcake. When you&#8217;re done with the tin, go back and fill all the muffin cups with chocolate to about 3\/4 full.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div id=\"attachment_5607\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-04.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5607\" class=\"wp-image-5607 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-04.jpg\" alt=\"cpc 04\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-04.jpg 800w, https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-04-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5607\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Letting that first bit of chocolate settle around the pumpkin<\/p><\/div>\n<ol start=\"6\">\n<li>Bake about 17 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div id=\"attachment_5604\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-05.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5604\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5604\" src=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-05.jpg\" alt=\"Okay, the look good on the outside...\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-05.jpg 800w, https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-05-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5604\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Okay, they look good on the outside&#8230;<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_5608\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-06.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5608\" class=\"size-full wp-image-5608\" src=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-06.jpg\" alt=\"Yum yum!\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-06.jpg 800w, https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-06-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5608\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Yes! I win!<\/p><\/div>\n<p>While those are cooling, you can whip up&#8230;<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5609\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-08.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5609\" class=\"wp-image-5609 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-08.jpg\" alt=\"cpc 08\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-08.jpg 800w, https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-08-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5609\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The cupcakes are delicious without frosting. Depends on if you&#8217;re a frosting person.<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting (<a href=\"http:\/\/allrecipes.com\/Recipe\/Pumpkin-Spice-Cupcakes\/Detail.aspx\">original recipe<\/a>):<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-role=\"recipe-ingredient\" data-ingredientid=\"16223\" data-grams=\"224\">1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened (really, make sure it&#8217;s softened, or you won&#8217;t get it smooth)<\/li>\n<li data-role=\"recipe-ingredient\" data-ingredientid=\"16157\" data-grams=\"56.75\">1\/4 cup butter, softened<\/li>\n<li data-role=\"recipe-ingredient\" data-ingredientid=\"1527\" data-grams=\"360\">3 cups confectioners&#8217; sugar<\/li>\n<li data-role=\"recipe-ingredient\" data-ingredientid=\"16424\" data-grams=\"4.333333\">1 teaspoon vanilla extract<\/li>\n<li data-role=\"recipe-ingredient\" data-ingredientid=\"16424\" data-grams=\"4.333333\">1 teaspoon ground cinnamon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<li>Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth<\/li>\n<li>Add the sugar slowly until incorporated<\/li>\n<li>Add the vanilla and cinnamon, beat until fluffy<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>After this, I got out the cake decorating stuff.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-07.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5605\" src=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-07.jpg\" alt=\"cpc 07\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-07.jpg 800w, https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-07-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Yes, those bags came with the kit. Yes, I&#8217;ve had it for years. I don&#8217;t do this much. I used the wide round tip and piped in a simple spiral. I know my limits. A touch of black and orange sprinkles, and all pretty! I sent most of these to work with the Spousal Unit. His co-workers have encouraged me to bake more Halloween treats.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-09.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5606\" src=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-09.jpg\" alt=\"cpc 09\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-09.jpg 800w, https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/cpc-09-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>My forays into holiday food have been so-so this year. I even had one unmitigated disaster that went straight into the trash. If I run out of things to blog, I&#8217;ll tell you about it. I decided that it was my penchant for substituting important things that was doing me wrong. Obviously, I need to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5600","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-a-month-of-spookdays","category-noms"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5600","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5600"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5600\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5614,"href":"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5600\/revisions\/5614"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5600"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5600"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spookymoon.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5600"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}