Pumpkin Bran Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting inspired by Silver Linings Playbook
Silver Linings Playbook is a romantic comedy drama directed by David O. Russell that pairs well with autumn-inspired food. Taking place in the fall (Halloween, football games, crisp cool weather), Silver Linings Playbook features Bradley Cooper as Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper), a former teacher with bipolar disorder who moves back home with his parents, and Jennifer Lawrence as Tiffany, a young widow. When Pat and Tiffany meet, she offers to help Pat get his estranged wife back if he’ll be her partner in a dance competition. Over time, they bond during dance rehearsals and their ability to relate to one another.
These Pumpkin Bran Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting are inspired by the infamous diner scene in the movie, where Pat orders raisin bran cereal on Halloween. Because of the pumpkin and spices like cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg, these cupcakes are perfect for autumn. I call it a cupcake for the sake of adding frosting, but it can also double as a muffin (going bare and paired with tea or coffee). The bran flake cereal softens in the batter with the spices, resulting in a smooth cupcake. And because the cupcakes aren’t too sweet, the cream cheese frosting nicely complements each bite. Enjoy, and happy eating!
Serves: 12 | Prep time: 25 minutes | Baking time: 25 minutes
Pumpkin Bran Cupcakes Ingredients
1 can pumpkin purée
1 cup bran flake cereal
3 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup whole wheat flour
2/3 cup almond flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder
½ cup raisins (optional)
Tools: Mixing bowls, spatula, cupcake tin, cupcake tin liners
Method:
1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees F and grease or line a cupcake tin with paper liners.
2. Combine the pumpkin, bran cereal, butter, and sugar in a large bowl.
3. Add the eggs and vanilla extract.
4. In another bowl, add the flours, salt, spices, baking soda, and baking powder. Whisk to combine.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
6. Add the raisins (optional) and stir.
7. Divide the batter among the tin liners, filling up ¾ of the way. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Remove the cupcakes from the pan and let them cool on a wire rack.
9. Once the cupcakes are cool, pipe/spread frosting on top.
Cream cheese Frosting Ingredients
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
¼ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Tools: Stand mixer or hand mixer, mixing bowl, spoon, spatula, piping bag, icing tip
Method
1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the cream cheese and butter. Mix until combined and smooth.
2. Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time. Mix until smooth.
3. Add the maple syrup and mix until combined.
4. Cut the tip of the pastry bag and place the tip at the end. Spoon the frosting into the bag, twirl the top, and push the frosting down toward the tip.
5. Squeeze frosting onto the cooled cupcakes in a swirl motion.