First, use the knife to cut the cupcake in half or into thirds. If you are cutting the cupcake in half, be sure to cut it horizontally so that the top and bottom of the cupcake are still attached. You can make vertical or horizontal thirds when slicing the cupcake.
Next, use the fork to gently pull the two or three pieces of the cupcake apart. If desired, you can add food coloring, frosting, sprinkles, etc., to the exposed surfaces of the cupcake pieces.
That’s all there is to it! Now enjoy your pull apart cupcakes!
What You Need for the Recipe
In order to make these Thanksgiving Pull Apart Cupcakes, you will need the following ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
baking powder, one teaspoon
Salt, 1/2 teaspoon
A pinch of baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/3 cup buttermilk or milk
1 recipe of your favorite frosting (enough to frost 24 cupcakes)
orange and yellow food coloring (optional)
Step by Step Instructions for Making the Cupcakes
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix until just combined. Do not overmix!
4. fold in 1 cup of whole cranberries. (If using frozen cranberries, do not thaw first)
5. Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full. Gently press 5-6 pieces of chopped cranberry into the top of each cupcake.
6. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick or cake tester comes out clean when inserted into the center of the cupcake. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely
Toppings Ideas for Thanksgiving Pull Apart Cupcakes
-Miniature marshmallows
-Chocolate chips
-Candy corn
-Nuts (pecans or walnuts work well)
-Pumpkin seeds
-Dried cranberries
-Chopped up candy bars
Baking Tips and Tricks for Perfectly Moist Cupcakes
When it comes to baking cupcakes, there are a few key tips and tricks that will help you achieve perfectly moist results every time. Here are a few of our favorites:
Start by ensuring that your ingredients are all at room temperature before beginning to bake. Room temperature ingredients mix together more easily and result in a more consistent final product.
Be careful not to overmix your batter. Overmixing can result in tough, dry cupcakes. Mix just until the ingredients are combined – no more!
Bake your cupcakes in the middle of the oven to ensure even cooking. If your oven has hot spots, rotating your pan halfway through baking can help prevent uneven results.
Let your cupcakes cool completely before frosting or serving. This allows them to set up properly and prevents the frosting from melting or sliding off.
Additional Recipes to Enjoy with the Pull Apart Cupcakes
In addition to the pull apart cupcakes recipe, there are a few other recipes that go great with them. One is a recipe for pumpkin spice cupcakes. These cupcakes are made with pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. They’re perfect for Fall and Thanksgiving.