the great thanksgiving recipe swap: hazelnut-chocolate-pumpkin cupcakes

By Mara

makes about 10 cupcakes

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

1 cup canned pumpkin purée (8 ounces), not pie filling

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed

1/2 cup vegetable oil

½ cup mini chocolate chips

½ cup roasted chopped hazelnuts

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Brush or spray the top of 10 muffin tins with vegetable oil and line them with 10 paper liners.

2. Into a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. In a larger bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin purée, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. Add the flour mixture and stir until combined. Stir in chocolate chips and hazelnuts.

3. Divide the batter among the prepared tins (I use a level 2 1/4-inch ice cream scoop) and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool completely.

The cupcakes are topped with a super-rich whipped ganache buttercream. I heated 1and a half cups heavy cream to near boiling. I poured it over 12 oz. good dark chocolate (Ghiradelli over here!) After it sat for a couple of minutes, I whisked it until smooth and allowed it to cool. Then, with the whip attachment of my stand mixer, I whipped it into oblivion, then added 2 sticks of butter gradually to the mixer until the frosting was light and fluffy.