Good morning from Seattle! By the time you read this, Megan and I are likely on the road driving down to Portland! Yay!
Ok, so remember last week when I was in Iowa and basically sick as a dog and throwing up everything I ate? If you didn’t know, well now you do. I spent like 3 nights over a toilet. I don’t know why, my stomach just wasn’t really happy with me even though all I ate were saltines. Anyway, so I think I lost 2 pounds or so because of all that (and probably gained some killer ab muscles, haha just kidding). In hindsight, all that throwing up really really sucked, but at the same time, it made room for the 280 pounds I’m gaining thus far on this trip. Seriously. So much food and drinks to consume. The Pacific Northwest is like a food blogger’s paradise. I don’t get how all you PNW folks stay so skinny. I’d be a lumpy potato! I guess that would mean I’d have to go workout, huh?
Ah, pumpkin spice lattes. Every Fall, I always have to remind myself what PSL stands for because EVERYONE is like “OMG PSL IS BACK” or “FIRST PSL OF THE SEASON!!” and I’m always like, “what the HECK is PSL? Pacific….South….Pppp…?!” Oh right. Duh, the infamous Starbucks drink.
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the seasonal drinks at Starbucks but for some reason, I hate their PSLs.
Did I just lose you? Hello?
Seriously, the first time I had one, I threw it away. It tasted like leaves. Not that I know what leaves taste like, it’s just one of those tastes that made you think of sticking your tongue in a pile of dirt and leaves. I think my barista just sucked and botched my drink. I love pumpkin spice and I love coffee. How could these two things go so dastardly wrong in a latte?!
Well, even with my dislike for PSLs, I always think that if something isn’t as delicious in a drink form, it might be better in a cupcake form. And oh boy, was I right. Did anyone get the memo that this week is also “eat your drink from Starbucks” week? Apparently that’s what it is over here at Table for Two. These cupcakes are deeelish! They have the hint of coffee flavor, not too strong, and then the amazing pumpkin spice comes right through. The whipped cream topping is light and airy and the caramel drizzled on top is the perfect pairing.
Drink Eat up, PSL lovahs ;)
Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes
Yield: 2 dozen | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
Ingredients:
For the cupcakes:
2 2/3 cup all purpose flour
3 tbsp. espresso powder
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 (15 oz.) can of pumpkin puree
1 cup sugar
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
1/2 cup coffee, for brushing
For the topping:
2 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled
1/4 cup confectioners sugar
Caramel sauce for drizzling (I just combined 10 unwrapped caramel candies with 4 tbsp. of heavy cream in a small saucepot on low heat. I let cool then drizzled over the whipped cream topping)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin tins with baking cups.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, espresso powder, baking soda, baking powder, and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together pumpkin puree, sugar, dark brown sugar, and oil.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- With the mixer on low, gently add in the dry ingredients in two additions. Mix until just incorporated.
- Evenly divide the batter amongst the baking cups, filling them about 2/3 of the way full.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- While the cupcakes are still warm, with a pastry brush, brush the tops of the cupcakes with coffee. Allow the first coat to soak in before repeating with the 2nd and 3rd coat. Let cool completely on a wire cooling rack.
- In the meantime while the cupcakes are cooling, make the topping.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, gently whip the cream, starting at a low speed and gradually increasing. Slowly pour in the confectioners sugar then increase the speed of the mixer to medium high and beat until stiff peaks form.
- Put the whipped cream mixture in a pastry bag fitted with your favorite decorative tip. Pipe the whipped cream on top of the cooled cupcakes then drizzle with caramel sauce.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Source: from Annie’s Eats
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Like leaves?! LOL. I feel the same way. I don’t like sugar-y drinks, so I just can’t get into the PSL. I made my own using a blogger’s recipe, but the pumpkin was stringy and weird. But PSL in cupcake form?! Now, THAT is something I can get behind!
i actually dislike almost all of starbucks drinks, so i hear ya! these look mighty tasty, though. =) have fun in Seattle!
I am actually NOT a coffee drinker, so I rarely (like twice a year maybe?) go to Starbucks…and when I do, it’s for a salted caramel hot chocolate or something like that.
However…I can totally get behind Starbucks flavored DESSERTS!! These look fab!!
Totally behind you with the PSL tasting like leaves! I tried it for the first time this year and it was gross with a capital G. These cupcakes, however, totally make sense. Pumpkin is made for desserts, not lattes!
Yum! Looks delish! I’m adding it to my baking list for when my sister comes home for Fall break next weekend!
I don’t like coffee but I love baked goods with coffee! Especially if there’s pumpkin involved. So these? Yum! And I’m happy you’re healthy again and loading up on donuts and other things in the NW. :)
People talk about various drinks – especially from Starbucks – and I’m lost and confused because I never go there BUT I do love this cupcake, especially the drizzle omg. Have a blast this weekend!
So excited to make! Where do I find espresso powder? ;)
Those are some gorgeous mouth-watering cupcakes!
But I don’t really get the hype either about those lattes. I like pumpkin flavored foods too, but I am not a fan of spending big bucks on coffee. Cheapskate at heart, proud of it LOL. Of course the occasional splurge is worth it. Much like these cupcakes….. :)
It’s usually where the instant coffee is. At Wegmans, I found it near Folgers and the grind your own beans area.
This morning I was looking at the Instagram picture of this on my phone and my 11-year-old daughter said “hubba-hubba”… I’d have to agree!
So I totally agree–I dislike the PSL’s at Starbucks, too! There’s something about it that just doesn’t click with me. However, these cupcakes look phenom. That caramel!
Is it weird that these cupcakes make me want a pumpkin spice latte?
I can’t agree more when I read you dislike PSL from Starbucks. When I first tasted it, I was scratching my head and ended my $4 drinks to trash. It tasted so blah! But, your recipe for PSL cupcakes is what I’m here for. Cheers and have fun with Megan!
These are absolutely stunning! And that dripping caramel – to die for! I’ve never had the PSL at Starbuck’s but I’m sure your cupcake form is a gazillion times better!
Sakes alive, woman! What you’re doing with cupcakes lately!!!! And I love those adorbs autumn liners!
Yes I would much rather have a pumpkin spice latte in cupcake form than in drink form…I hate drinking calories, as dumb as that sounds. I’d much rather blow my diet on cake! And that drizzle…oh my!
I need to try a PSL at one point. BUT, with these cupcakes…i`ll pass easily! :P
I was lucky enough to try one of these and it was delicious! It really does taste like a PSL, and not one made of leaves! ;-)
I am not a latte fan at all, so all the flavors in a cupcake is so much better! Hope you are having a great weekend!
I’m so jealous of the delicious trip you are having! And I am dying over these cupcakes!
I think you just had a bad PSL. You should definitely give ‘em another try! :P Your cupcakes look delicious as usual! Hope you’re enjoying the rest of your trip!
Apparently we’re going to have PSL in the UK for the first time this year but as I don’t really eat coffee, I think I’d much rather consume it in cupcake form! Love that pic with the caramel dribbling down, that’s the money shot!
I am definitely loving your focus on cupcakes :) And, I like iced PSL’s so much more than hot. I think it started when I was living in Phoenix and a hot latte just didn’t sound good when it was 100 degrees and October, but it’s stuck. Still, I’m definitely not one to argue with a cupcake version. Enjoy the Northwest!
Yup, Starbucks PSL sucks but Peet’s on the other hand is the best I’ve tasted but I’m not sure if there’s a Peet’s near to your life :( Great coffee producers…
These look SOOOOOO AMAZING!!!!!
I cant believe you arent a fan of PSL’s man! *Gasp* But thats ok, we can still be friends ;) Especially if you make me these. They look so beautiful and delicious.
These look absolutely gorgeous! the icing is so elegant!
There are no words to describe how much I love this recipe! I have a strong love for Pumpkin Spice Lattes! In edible form? Even better!
incredible looking cupcakes!