Description
These rich, warmly spiced little cakes deliver the cozy flavor and creamy texture of a classic holiday pie filling, baked right into individual portions. Skipping the traditional crust makes preparation effortless while keeping the dessert perfectly balanced and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar replacement (about 65g)
- 3 tbsp coconut flour (about 21g)
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp fine sea salt
Wet Base
- 3/4 cup pumpkin puree (about 180g)
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream (60ml)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (15ml)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (2.5ml)
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a standard 6-cup muffin tin with silicone baking cups or parchment paper liners to prevent sticking.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar replacement, coconut flour, pumpkin pie spice, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and fine sea salt until no lumps remain.
- Whisk the wet base: In a separate large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk the pumpkin puree, heavy whipping cream, egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until completely smooth and well combined.
- Combine and rest: Fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring just until a uniform batter forms. Let the batter sit at room temperature for about 3 to 5 minutes to allow the coconut flour to fully hydrate and thicken the mixture.
- Bake the cupcakes: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes. The edges should look dry and set, but the centers should still retain a very slight jiggle when you gently shake the pan.
- Cool and chill: Remove the pan from the oven and let the cupcakes cool completely to room temperature. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour to firm up their custard-like texture before serving.
Notes
Why It Works
- Coconut flour is highly absorbent, helping to bind the puree and liquids into a stable, sliceable consistency without needing a starchy flour.
- Adding a small touch of melted butter alongside the heavy cream enriches the mouthfeel, mimicking the luxurious texture of a traditional custard pie.
- Resting the batter before baking ensures the coconut flour hydrates evenly, preventing a gritty final texture.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Overbaking: Do not wait for a toothpick to come out entirely dry. Like cheesecake, these need to be pulled from the oven while the center still has a slight wobble so they don’t become rubbery.
- Skipping the chill time: Warm pumpkin pie cupcakes will fall apart easily. The 1-hour minimum refrigeration time is crucial for setting the structure.
- Using pumpkin pie filling: Make sure you are using 100% pure pumpkin puree, not canned pie filling, which contains added starches and flavorings.
Variations
- Top each chilled cupcake with a generous dollop of freshly whipped, unsweetened cream just before serving.
- Sprinkle finely chopped, toasted pecans over the batter right before baking for an added textural crunch.
Allergy Alert
This recipe contains dairy, egg, and tree nuts (coconut). Substitute as needed.
Nutrition (per serving — estimates)
Calories: 90 | Total Carbs: 5g (Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g) | Net Carbs: 3g | Fat: 7g (Saturated: 4g) | Protein: 2g
Nutritional values are approximate, based on standard reference data (USDA FoodData Central). Actual values vary by brand and exact measurements. For precision, use a tracker like MyFitnessPal or Cronometer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 1g
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g