I know, pumpkin spice recipes are a dime a dozen these days, so what can I say to make you give Pumpkin Spice Mini Cakes with Orange Maple Glaze a try? Would it make a difference if I told you that this pumpkin spice recipe literally made me thousands of dollars? This was the secret recipe I used to make for the farmer’s market. No matter how much I baked, I always sold out of it.
There are two things that make Pumpkin Spice Mini Cakes with Orange Maple Glaze exceptional. The blend of the spices is first and foremost. I tweaked it until I got it just right. The spices are bold, but balanced. The second secret is the addition of orange juice and zest. It’s a little know fact that pumpkin and orange are best friends. They complement one another beautifully.
THESE ARE SO GOOD!
Sorry, I don’t mean to boast, but I’m very proud of this recipe. You see, I used to have an addiction to Starbucks’ pumpkin scones and every fall I’d eat more of them than I’d like to admit. It was a complete waste of money and calories, plus I hated eating all of their added chemicals. Finally I came up with the ultimate pumpkin spice dessert! Not only is it yummy, but it’s also healthy-ish with a serving of fruit and vegetable. Make some Pumpkin Spice Mini Cakes with Orange Maple Glaze today and share them with someone you love. (Or file it away for Thanksgiving!)
- ½ stick of butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (canned or homemade)
- ½ cup orange juice
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1⅔ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ½ cup raisins
- zest and juice of ½ an orange
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- Preheat oven to 350°. Either butter muffin tin or line with papers. I used a square pan for fun, but you could use a cupcake tin.
- Cream butter and brown sugar in a mixer for a few minutes, until light and airy. Add molasses and eggs one at a time. Beat for about 1 minute. Add pumpkin, orange juice and applesauce. Beat until just combined.
- In a separate bowl, sift all dry ingredients together. Lightly sprinkle a spoonful of the flour mixture over the raisins and gently toss, so raisins are coated, but not clumped with flour. This step prevents raisins from sinking to the bottom half of the cakes.
- Add half of the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture and beat on a low speed until just combined. Repeat with the remaining flour. Add raisins. Stir them in with a spoon.
- Fill prepared muffin tin with batter. Bake at for 20-25 minutes, until you smell them and a toothpick comes out clean. (My oven is exactly 23 minutes.) Allow cakes to rest in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
- Stir juice, zest and maple syrup together in a bowl.
- Sift powdered sugar over juice mixture. Stir to combine.
- Place completely cooled cakes on a cooling rack over a baking sheet. Drizzle glaze over cakes, letting the excess run down the sides.
- If desired, you can scoop up the glaze from the baking sheet and repeat the process to give it an extra coating. Enjoy!
I’m so glad, Nicole. The orange and extra spices really bumps up the flavor. Enjoy!!
Oh, I think they will Andrea! Glazes are very forgiving!! Enjoy!!
Thanks, Abigail! Wow! I’ve had that mug for years. Can’t remember where I got it.
Oh my gosh this looks SINFUL!!! I gotta make it this weekend!
Meghan
I love the orange in the glaze. Orange and pumpkin just go together! These have that warm, cozy smell and taste of autumn and the orange gives just the right touch of brightness!
Yum! I love the sound of this! I’m pinning for later!
Oh wow an orange maple glaze? Totally trying this!!
These look amazing! Would be perfect for this fall morning!
This looks so good! And I love your coffee mug!
These look soo yummy! The Orange Maple Glaze add a unique touch. Definitely going to try this.
Xoxo
I am obsessed with all things pumpkin and this looks AMAZING. I can’t wait to try this recipe out with my husband this weekend! Thanks for sharing <3
xo Nicole
Whoa- this just made me drool. They look so yummy! I am definitely going to try this recipe, but I doubt they will turn out as pretty as yours! Thanks for sharing 🙂
The addition of the orange glaze puts this recipe over the top. Like the individual serving size.
These look SO GOOD. OMGosh, I cannot get enough pumpkin!