Pumpkin Cupcakes with Chai Cream Cheese Frosting

For the cupcakes

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 cup canola or safflower oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 15 ounce can pureed pumpkin

For icing and decorating

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 chai tea bags
• 3 cardamom pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), at room temperature
• 3/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2 tablespoons decorative gold sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease the cupcake pans very well, and, if you like, place cupcake liners in each.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger in medium bowl). In another, larger bowl, using handheld or stand mixer, beat together the sugar and oil until the sugar is saturated by the oil. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the pumpkin. Add the flour mixture, and fold with a rubber spatula until just combined. Divide batter equally among cake pans.
3. Bake the cupcakes for 15-20 minutes, or until a tester inserted comes out clean. Cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then carefully remove the cupcakes to a rack to cool completely.
4. Make the Frosting: Combine the sugar, 5 tablespoons water, the chai tea bags, cardamom pods, and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to make sure the sugar dissolves, then simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the syrup steep another 20 minutes. Remove the cardamom pods and cinnamon stick, and squeeze out all the flavor from the tea bags, then toss them. Let the syrup come to room temperature before proceeding.
5. Using a food processor or a mixer, combine the butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, honey, and chai syrup until very smooth. If you have time, refrigerate for a few hours to let the flavors come together, but take out of the fridge at least 1 hour before frosting the cupcakes, so that it’s spreadable.
6. Spread a generous amount of frosting on top of each cooled cupcake, then sprinkle the gold sugar on top.