Of all the flavor combinations that exist, pumpkin and chocolate –  especially semisweet or dark chocolate –  is the most mysterious to me. It’s not like the salty/sweet combination of peanut butter and chocolate, or the sweet/tart combination of chocolate and raspberry. And yet here it is, being absolutely delicious.

These pumpkin chocolate chip cupcakes are no exception. I was hesitant about the frosting, but it works really well – although I think these would be just as delicious without frosting of any kind too.

Ingredients

For the cupcakes

• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• Dash of cloves
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup miniature chocolate chips

For the frosting

• 12 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons heavy cream
• Miniature chocolate chips for garnish

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake tins with paper liners; my recipe yielded 18 cupcakes.

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

In a large glass measuring cup, combine pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix well, then add all at once to the flour mixture. Stir until well-combined and smooth. Stir in chocolate chips.

Using a two-inch cookie scoop, fill cupcake wells about 2/3 full.

Bake for 17-20 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Remove from oven; immediately remove from tins and place on a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

To make frosting, beat butter on medium speed for 1-2 minutes, then add powdered sugar and cocoa powder all at once and beat on low until fully incorporated. Add vanilla and heavy cream and beat until smooth.

Fit a piping bag with a large star tip and pipe swirls of frosting onto each cupcake. Sprinkle miniature chocolate chips on top. Store at a cool room temperature for 2-3 days; these cupcakes are very tender and will get a bit sticky if they’re left out much longer.