Brownie Bottom Pumpkin Cupcakes

So a when I made the banana bread cupcakes with the brownie bottom, I thought to myself this is good, but what would be even better is pumpkin!  One of my favorite breads is pumpkin bread with chocolate chips in it. YUM!!!  Today I was in a baking mood, especially since my little guy decided to take a really long nap. =)  So I whipped these bad boys up and I loved them!  Now I am giving them away to friends and neighbors because if I don't, I will seriously eat them all.  If you like pumpkin chocolate chip cookies or chocolate chip pumpkin bread, you must make these!

Brownie Layer
1/4 c. butter
3/4 c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
2/3 c. flour
2 tbsp. cocoa
1/8 tsp. salt
1/3 c. chocolate chips

Combine all ingredients.  Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.  Spray with non-stick spray (it helps the cupcakes come out of the liners better).  Place about 1 tbsp into each liner, making sure the bottom is covered.  Pat it down to fill the bottom.  Next, add the cupcake mix.


Pumpkin Cupcakes
2 eggs
3/8 c. oil
1 c. sugar
1 c. pumpkin puree
1 c. flour
1/8 c. cornstarch
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (or 1 tsp cinnamon + 1/2 tsp ginger + 1/4 tsp each of cloves and nutmeg)
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt


Preheat oven to 350.  Combine oil, sugar, pumpkin and eggs. Stir dry ingredients together in a separate bowl, then add to the pumpkin mixture and mix until well blended.  Spoon about 2 tbsp. into muffin tins.  Bake for about 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.  Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from muffin tin.  Let them cool completely before frosting.  Frost with your favorite cream cheese frosting or try mine.

Frosting
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
4 tsp. vanilla
4 c. powdered sugar
4 tbsp. cornstarch
1/8 tsp salt


Mix until well combined and there are no cream cheese lumps.  You may use more or less sugar, depending on the thickness you want.  This isn't a frosting that will form cute little shapes, it's one that you spread on and then decorate with cute sprinkles. =)

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