Pumpkin S’mores Cupcakes.
Oooooh today. Hello three oh. Nice to meet you.
For as long as I can remember, I have ALWAYS wanted to be older. I wanted to be a grown up, if not only because it seemed super fun. You know, doing whatever you wanted and all, whenever you wanted. Doing things that people in movies do. People in books do. Nothing that people I know do, but still. Doing those things. As a kid, I was much more interested in hanging out with my parents and other adults. In high school, I wanted to be in college and in college, I wanted to be in my 20s or 30s, happily settled doing, well… anything else other than being stuck in school.
I don’t sound like too much fun now, do I? I’m really not. Maybe this year I will lighten up. Blame it on my first born child syndrome. But whatever! Right now, I’m exactly where I’ve always wanted to be. I’m not anywhere near what I thought I wanted, or where I thought I would be, but it turns out that right where I am… is perfect.
Even though I lambasted myself last year over the fact that OMGI’vebeenalivefor30years, that feeling didn’t stick around too long. Attribute it to a busy year or simply becoming too annoyed with myself to think about it any longer, I didn’t really consider my age too much these last 364 days except for when I found myself doing things like blasting Rod Stewart while working out or hopping in bed at 7:30 or writing old lady blog posts.
I spent most of my early 20s falling in and out of love Taylor Swift style (yeah yeah, I know… but I’m not gonna pretend to be somebody I’m not), with not only people but with things, careers, hobbies and preferences. I spent my mid 20s trying to decipher exactly which of those things I really loved Taylor Swift style (does she even know yet?) and seriously struggling to “find myself”…aka being born in the 80s and feeling entitled to having theeee perfect life and oh my god what does it all meeeeean. My late 20s consisted of figuring out just how the heck people stay married for real (um this is nothing like my favorite chick lit novels) and wondering how on Earth it will ever be possible to have a child (and actually… birth it) in my selfish world and still be able to lay on the couch for six hours at a time while simultaneously watching absolute trash on TV, talking on speakerphone, painting my nails and playing fruit ninja. Serious first world problems, I’m aware.
If you told me that at age 30 I’d be writing many fragmented and run-on sentences about the food I love to eat on the internet, sharing my life everyday with some invisible internet friends and taking pictures of things I’m about to put in my mouth… I would have clichély laughed in your face. In fact, I still am sort of laughing.
If you told me that at age 30, the age where my dad had two kids, the age where my mom was yet to be married, the age that a fabulous 80s drama was made after and the age that is prime time to be George Clooney girlfriend material… that I would be writing and doing what I wanted to do when I was eight years old, I’d clichély laugh in your face again.
Of course, I’ve learned many important things by this age, including but not limited to the fact that you should never drink a large open cup of liquid while sitting over your brand new computer, that you should always, always be yourself and own it, that way when people talk smack on you (which they always will), it doesn’t really matter because you’re being YOU, how to successfully poach an egg and feel awkward and alone in thinking that it’s really *not* that hard (sorry), the grass is always greener (though it’s truly green where you water it, thanks Justin Bieber) and that making your bed every morning really does make you feel better, as does NOT eating all of the foods or drinking all of the vodkas… all the time every time.
I think those make for an acceptable, fabulous life… right?
Oh and if you were looking for the longer token list of things I’ve learned by 30, I will leave you with perhaps the most important: if you find yourself baking s’mores cupcakes and you do not own a culinary blow torch because you a. are too poor to buy one 2. too lazy to buy one or c. would rather spend that money on shoes (duh), one of those long Bic candle lighter thingies works wonders. Tricks of the trade, my friends.
Pumpkin S'mores Cupcakes
Ingredients
graham crust
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
cupcakes
- 1 1/3 cups loosely packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 cup milk
fudge ganache filling
- 4 ounces chopped milk chocolate
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
marshmallow frosting
- 4 large egg whites
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin tin with lines.
- Combine the melted butter and graham crumbs together, mixing well until combined. Spoon about 1/2 tablespoon into each cupcake liner, pressing with the back of a spoon to form a crust.
- To make the cupcakes, whisk egg and sugar together in a large bowl until combined and no lumps remain. Add in vanilla extract and butter, then whisk in pumpkin puree. Add in flour, baking soda, powder, salt and pumpkin spice, then add in milk and stir until combined and smooth. Drop about 1/4 cup of batter on top of each graham cracker crust, filling the liners 3/4 of the way full. Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until cupcakes are set and spring back at the touch. Let cool completely.
- While cupcakes are baking, heat the heavy cream until warm. Pour over the chopped milk chocolate in a large bowl, then use a spoon or whisk to stir until melted and combined. Let sit until cupcakes are cool, then fill a pastry bag with the chocolate and insert the top straight down into the cupcake, squeezing the ganache inside. You can also use a ziplock bag as your pastry bag or a small spoon – cutting off a small hole in the top of the cupcake and spoon the mixture down in.
- To make the frosting, combine the egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar in a heat-proof bowl, preferably the bowl of your electric stand mixer. Place over top of a double-boiler that contains simmering water, and whisk constantly for 3-4 minutes until the sugar has dissolved and the egg whites are slightly warm. Immediately remove the bowl and place it on your stand mixer with the whisk attachment, beating slow at first and gradually increasing the speed to high. Beat for 6-7 minutes until glossy and thick, then beat in vanilla extract for another minute until combined. Frost cupcakes! You can torch the frosting if you’d like, as well as cover the top in additional graham crumbs. I stored these at room temp in a large tupperware container with the layer of plastic wrap over top.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Be sure to follow @howsweeteats on instagram and tag #howsweeteats. You can also post a photo of your recipe to our facebook page.
I appreciate you so much!
K. Done talking about being 30. Oh except that I hope this year is EXACTLY like these cupcakes. Injected with fudge ganache and topped with something fluffy and light.
235 Comments on “Pumpkin S’mores Cupcakes.”
Oh goodness, these cupcakes look wonderful. I’ve already bookmarked the page because I want to make some for myself.
I’ve never made this kind of frosting before and I’m wondering how it holds up. Is it very stable?
Thanks!
P.S. Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday from a long time reader, first time commenter!
From a 20-something college student about to face the working world, it is seriously so inspirational to see someone doing something they love everyday. Thanks for being you and reminding me to pursue what I love, and maybe even start a food blog of my own someday! :)
OH so this is why I don’t read food blogs on an empty stomach. Now I want to make a batch of these and eat it by myself.
Happy birthday!!!! Love this post :) Your reflections are perfect!
This is quite marvelous. What a perfect way to incorporate summer with fall flavors.
Happy Birthday! 30 is awesome.
Awh, Jess! First off, a very happy birthday to you! I hope your day is filled with many cupcakes, brownies, cookies, and sweets galore. Plus lots of alcohol because you deserve them all!
Second, I love this post. I find that I am you, only 9 years younger but with a soul roughly the same age. There is nothing wrong with wishing to be older, but I’m glad that while your life is not what you expected, you are happy. That is more important than anything else.
I love how honest you are with us and yourself. You don’t sugar-coat it, it just is what it is. I admire that and attempt to incorporate that into my own life. You are a true inspiration and remind me that I am not alone in my craziness.
Thanks for being an internet friend who shows me there are people I can relate to. Don’t stop being amazeballs, girlfriend!
Oh and this looks delicious, I want them all!!
Happy Birthday, wonderful lady! The 30’s aren’t so bad, I don’t even miss my 20’s :)
happy happy birthday jess! hope it’s full of lots of good things (new shoes, for one!)
Happy birthday Jessica! These cupcakes sound like a delicious way to celebrate. Hope you have a fantastic day, and year ahead!
Happy Birthday!
Inspiring post and the cupcakes look so good! What a great way to celebrate!
These are gorgeous!! Love this idea!
Happy birthday! If your year turns out to be anything like these cupcakes then it looks like it should be fabulous! :)
Happy Happy Birthday Jessica!! Welcome to the 30’s…we’ve been waiting! Mwuuuuuuuuuuuuuahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaa!! No, but srsly, have a fantabulous birthday day/week!
Happy 30th!
Happy happy happy birthday, Jessica! I truly hope you have a fantastic day of celebrating and that your year really is just as good as those cupcakes :)
Happy 30th Birthday Girl!
I hope you had the best day so far, you deserve that and MORE! <3
happy birthday!!! hope your day is filled with bacon, chocolate, wine, fried sage, brown butter, oh, and wine.
Happy birthday!!! I hope you eat at least 10 of these in celebration…I know I would!
Happy 30th Birthday!!! The 30s aren’t so bad, especially when there are pumpkin s’more cupcakes to enjoy!
Diiiiiid you make these cupcakes for YOUR birthday, or MINE?!
Thanks to this recipe, I will now be celebrating with you from California, whether you like it or not.
Happy birfday, pretty lady!
Happy birthday! Lovely post as always and so true. Have a fabulous day!
Happy Birthday! Hope you are having a wonderful day!
Happy Birthday!!!! Thanks for inspiring me and making me laugh everyday. Hope you have a most fabulous day – just like yourself! And I’m off to make these fantastic looking cupcakes. Always more s’mores.
Jessica- I love your blog! Could you tell me how you frosted those cupcakes so beautifully?
Happy 30th Birthday! When I turn 30 I’m totally gonna embrace it as gracefully as you have…..with these kind of cupcakes.!! Seriously, that frosting!!
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Happy Birthday Jessica!!! What a great post!!! I turn 29 this month and feel slightly overwhelmed by being so close to 30, and somehow you just said everything I try and keep telling myself; that my life at (almost) 30 ain’t so bad, it is perfect! So happy birthday girl! Hope your 30’s rock!
Happy Happy birthday! Loved your little story. It’s nice to be doing what you love to do… and I totally understand what you mean by having a kid, giving up 6 hours of couch time is precious, my friend!
Hope your birthday is just like these cupcakes… happy, light, and full of love.
Enjoy!
Happy Birthday, Jessica!! Hope it’s been a great one for you!
Happy birthday! These look lovely. I haven’t decided yet which one, but I’m making one of your recipes for dinner in honor of your birthday!
Can’t you get anything more delicious than pumpkin and s’mores!
Happy Birthday! I love your blog. :)
Such a wonderful post. Love this recipe!!
Happy Birthday! Love your funny stories, recipes, & pictures!
Omg I want those for my birthday! But I want someone else to make them for me… lol.
Happy birthday to youuu!!
These sound amazing! Happy birthday! I probably would have used a bic candle lighter too. No shame. Yay adulthood!
Happy Birthday! The thirtys are the new twenties right, live it up girl!
happy birthday, jessica! if i could, i’d have MAC make a 30th birthday Dazzleglass just for you. enjoy and God bless <3
what a fabulous recipe to share on your birthday! they look great!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! YES! Getting older is just sort of lame, but mostly awesome. These cupcakes look they belong to a 5-year old, which mean they’re perfect.
Oh these look amazing. And just what I want to make for Thanksgiving. :-)
Happy Birthday!!! :-)
Seriously?!?! These look way too tempting and addictive!! That means I must make them ASAP! ;)
happy happy birthday! so glad we share the same birthday. :)
hope you had an amazing day. x
Happy Birthday! These cupcakes look like a divine way to celebrate!
I turned 28 this year, so I can definitely relate to the feelings you said you had about turning 30. I gave a no so subtle suggestion to my husband that I better not be in this country when it happens :)
happy birthday!! these cupcakes are perfect for a 30th birthday celebration! i love the fluffy frosting!!!
Well Happy 30th! The day has arrived. I’m 30 plus 19….not bad! Ha,ha!
Chocolate and pumpkin,mmmmmm It might just work, I’ll let you if it’s a hit, i need to make 48 for Saturday.
Happy Birthday Jess! I hope this is the beginning of a fabulous new decade! Welcome to my age bracket! Gah!
I couldn’t wait to make these tonight…. They were THE BEST CUPCAKES EVER!! No joke. Super easy. Very very tasty and my husband loved them!! Perfect consistancy in the cake. The ganache was a perfect addition. I used to make the frosting when I was little, we called it 7-minute frosting, I think. The entire recipe was just great!!
Congrats on your Big Birthday!!