Tasty Thursdays: Pumpkin and Chocolate Chip cupcakes

Nothing says fall like pumpkins!  This is one of my favorite fall recipes, Pumpkin and Chocolate Chip cupcakes!  You might want to make an extra batch, these wont last long.

Pumpkin and Chocolate Chip Cupcakes:

Ingredients:

2 2/3 cup  flour

2tsp baking soda

2tsp baking powder

2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp cloves

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (optional)

1 tsp salt

1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 can pumpkin 

1 cup white sugar

1 cup dark brown sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350

Line muffins cups with liners.  In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, pumpkin pie spice & salt, set aside.  Using a stand mixer, mix together the pumpkin, white sugar, dark brown sugar & oil until combined. add the eggs one at a time making sure to mix well after each addition. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture in 3 parts- mixing until JUST combined after each addition (over-mixing is a no no).  Flour the chocolate chips (add 1tsp flour to the chips & shake- this keeps them from sinking) & then stir into the batter.  Fill the muffin cup 3/4 of the way & bake for 20-25 min (mine were done in 20 min).

Cream Cheese Frosting:

Ingredients:

8 oz cream cheese (softened)

1 stick un-salted butter (softened)

1 tsp vanilla

4 cups confection sugar

Directions:

Using a hand mixer: beat together the cream cheese & butter until blended. Add the vanilla and mix in the sugar 1 cup at a time until blended.  Turn mixer on high and beat for about 30 seconds or so till frosting is light and fluffy.