Pumpkin passion cupcakes

Ingredients

• 175ml sunflower oil
• 175g light muscovado sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 200g coarsely grated pumpkin or butternut squash flesh
• 100g sultanas
• grated zest 1 orange
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 200g self-raising flour
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

For the frosting

• 200g tub full-fat cream cheese
• 85g icing sugar
• toasted chopped pecans to decorate (optional) 

  Cooking time

  Prep: 15 mins Cook: 25 mins

  Skill level:Easy

  Servings:Makes 12

   

  Method

  1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line a 12-hole muffin tray with paper cases. Pour the oil into a large bowl and add the sugar, eggs and vanilla. Beat together, then add the grated pumpkin, sultanas and orange zest.
  2. Stir in the cinnamon, flour and bicarbonate of soda, the mixture will be quite wet. Spoon into the cases. Bake for 25 mins until firm and springy to the touch and a skewer inserted in the centre of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack. At this stage you can freeze the cakes for 4 months.
  3. To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth then spread on top of the cupcakes. Leave plain or decorate with toasted pecans. Store in the fridge, but return to room temperature to serve for the best flavour and texture.