Pumpkin spice cupcakes

Preparation

Baking Directions:

For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Line 2 standard cupcake pans with 12 paper baking cups each, or grease pans with butter if not using baking cups.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and salt on a sheet of parchment paper or wax paper and set aside.

Place the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer or in a bowl with a handheld electric mixer.

Beat on medium speed until fluffy.

Stop to add the sugar; then beat on medium speed until well incorporated.

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing slowly after each addition.

Mix in the pumpkin puree and honey.

Reduce the speed to low.

Add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture, then gradually add 1/3 of the hot water, beating until well incorporated.

Add another third of the flour mixture, followed by 1/3 of the hot water.

Stop to scrape down the bowl as needed.

Add the remaining flour mixture, followed by the remaining hot water, and mix slowly until just combined.

Take care not to overmix the batter so the cupcakes will bake up light and fluffy.

Use a standard-size ice cream scoop to fill each baking cup with batter, so the wells are 2/3 full.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes (start checking at 20 minutes) or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.

Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the frosting: Place all ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; beat until well combined.

Be sure to beat on high speed for at least 2 minutes at the end to ensure that the frosting is light and fluffy.

For the decoration: Line up cooled cupcakes on a sheet of wax paper.

Transfer the maple cream cheese frosting into a plastic piping bag fitted with a large round metal tip (or piping tip of your choice).

Apply a signature swirl (see below).

Break white fondant into 3 equal pieces.

Add a small drop of red food color to one piece of fondant, a small drop of yellow food color to the second piece of fondant, and a small drop of brown food color to the third piece of fondant.

Using your hands, knead the color into each piece of fondant so the color is uniform throughout.

If you'd like the colors to be darker or more intense, add more food color and repeat.

Then, starting with 1 piece of fondant, use a rolling pin to roll the fondant out to a thin sheet.

Dust with edible luster dust (optional).

Using a mini leaf cookie cutter, cut out leaf shapes and place on top of each cupcake.

The Georgetown Cupcake Signature Swirl: The frosting on our cupcakes has a certain "style" to it-a perfect little cloud that reaches a pretty peak in the center.

It's just the perfect amount of frosting — not too much, not too little — and it looks neat and sweet! Transfer frosting into a plastic disposable piping bag, fitted with a large round metal tip.

Be sure to whip up your frosting so it is light and airy.

You don't need to twist the top of your bag — you can just hold it closed with one hand and use your other hand to hold the bag near the bottom and squeeze.

Start in the center of the cupcake, applying pressure to the bottom of the bag, and guide the tip around the cupcake in a circular motion, then end in the center with a burst of pressure.

Try to move quickly and confidently.

If you go too slowly, the frosting may come out uneven.

You can then add your decorations.