Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes With Brown Butter Buttercream - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups canned pumpkin
4 large eggs
BROWN BUTTER BUTTERCREAM
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature, divided
4 cups powdered sugar (about 2 pounds)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
6 tablespoons buttermilk

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350\u00b0F Line 2 regular size cupcake pans with cupcake liners.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ground cloves and salt. Set the bowl aside. In a large bowl using an electric mixer on low speed, combine the sugar, oil, applesauce, vanilla extract, and pumpkin. Add the eggs 1 at a time. Mix on low until combined. Gradually add the flour mixture until just combined.
Fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full with batter and bake until the cupcakes spring back when touched with your finger, about 20 minutes. Let cool in the pans for a few minutes, and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
BROWN BUTTER BUTTERCREAM:
In a saucepan, heat 1/2 cup butter over medium-low heat until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Cool. In a large bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the remaining 1/2 cup butter for 30 seconds. Add the cool brown butter and beat until combined. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat in the buttermilk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until spreadable.