Pumpkin Cupcakes Recipe
These pumpkin cupcakes are made with whole grain flour and no processed sugar, and you know what? They still taste delicious! (gasp!)
For those of you who read my blog regularly or follow me on Facebook, you probably know that I do not feed my son any sugar. In fact, he eats really, really clean, and I’m really really proud of that.
So as I’m sure you can imagine, Halloween proves to be somewhat of a challenge every year. The older he gets, the harder it is to deal with.
But I’m a clever girl, so I have a few tricks up my sleeve. One of which is this recipe. While other kids are chowing down on sugar galore, my little guy will be happy to eat these cupcakes. And frankly, so will I!
More Halloween Cupcake Recipes
Pumpkin Cupcakes Recipe Card
Healthy Pumpkin Cupcakes With Chocolate Pumpkin Frosting
Ingredients
Cupcake Ingredients
- 1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 large egg whites
- ½ cup oil (light flavored)
- ½ cup honey
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1½ tsp. ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp. ground ginger
- ¼ tsp. ground cloves
Frosting Ingredients
- ½ cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line your cupcake tins with cupcake papers or grease the tin itself.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together your pumpkin, almond milk, egg whites, safflower oil, honey and vanilla extract.
- In a second mixing bowl, whisk together your flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and cloves.
- Whisk the flour mixture into the liquid mixture and blend well. If your batter is too thick, add a little extra almond milk (about ¼ cup at a time until you reach a thick, yet runny consistency.)
- Pour into tins, and place in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick stuck in the middle of a cupcake comes out clean.
- For the frosting, place all ingredients in a small mixing bowl, and whisk until well blended.
- Remove cupcakes from oven, allow to cool and spread frosting over the tops.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe from the Gracious Pantry archives, originally published on 10/25/2010.
I’m doing the Paleo diet and the cupcakes have all the paleo ingredients except for the flour. Can I substitute another flour like almond or coconut?
Dawnielle – I don’t recommend it. These are formulated for gluten. I’ll see if I can come up with a grain free version though.
I’m new to “clean eating” and love the idea of providing healthy treats for Halloween! For the non-chocolate fans in my life (I know, right?) do you have an alternative frosting like pumpkin cream cheese frosting? Or would that be completely “dirty”? Thanks in advance!
Trisha – I don’t have one, but that’s an excellent idea. Maybe mix some pumpkin puree, sucanat or coconut sugar together and then add some cream cheese or maybe even a little butter into it. I’ll see if I can come up with something. 🙂
Thanks! I look forward to what you come up with 🙂 In the meantime, I tried this recipe:
http://cleaneatingintexas.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/clean-eating-frosting/
I didn’t make the full recipe–just put in the called for ingredients to taste. My kids loved it. They also RAVED about your pumpkin cupcake! “This is so so good!! And good for you too!!!” (Ages 7 and 5) followed by cupcake devouring.
Trisha – Looks good! 🙂 Glad everyone enjoyed them!
Hi, I recently made your clean frosting nut butter, and substituted the peanut butter with almond butter. I have to say, it was a great recipe! However, I was wondering how long would it last in the refrigerator?
Kathy – That’s tough to say. I think it’s pretty safe to say at least a week. Maybe longer. But I’ve never kept it long term to find an exact time frame.
Thank you…by the way, my family and I love your recipes!
Kathy – Thanks! I’m glad you’re enjoying them! 🙂
OMG! These look so good! Cant wait to try them this weekend!! Thanks so much for all the wonderful recipes!
Lisa – My pleasure! Let me know how they turn out! 🙂