Pumpkin Pop-ups

Pop-Ups

• 1.5 c. pumpkin puree
• 3/4 c. white sugar
• 1/4 c. raw sugar
• 2 c. flour
• 1/2 c. butter or margarine
• pinch of salt
• 1 t. baking soda
• 1 t. baking powder
• 1 t. cinnamon
• 1/2 t. freshly ground nutmeg
• 1 t. vanilla extract
• 1 c. butterscotch bits
• 20 no-wax 3 oz. paper cups

Icing

• 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
• 3 T. butter
• 1 T. milk
• 1 c. confectioners’ sugar
• 1 t. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 F. Place paper cups out on a baking sheet and lightly spray with non-stick spray. Leave a little space between each cup to ensure even baking.

Cream together butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the pumpkin and vanilla. Beat until well combined. Sift together flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ones just until dry ingredients are moistened. Using a large knife, roughly chop the butterscotch bits and add to the mixing bowl and add to batter. Stir just until incorporated.

Fill each prepared cup a little bit more than half way with batter. Use a small spatula or spoon to push batter down into the bottom of the cups. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes until tops are slightly coloring and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Do not over bake as these pop-ups are meant to be very moist. If some appear to be done before others, remove the ones that are ready and continue to bake the rest.

To prepare icing, combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir as the mixture melts, being careful to get out any lumps. You can prepare this icing ahead of time, but you’ll need to melt it again just before applying to the pop-ups. On COOL pop-ups, drizzle a spoonful of icing over the top. Allow icing to cool and set up. Once icing is set, store in an airtight container.

Serve in the paper cups or, if you prefer a fancier presentation, remove each pop-up from its cup by gently tearing the paper away from it. Then plate pop-ups individually and serve with an extra drizzle of brown sugar icing.

(makes about 20 pop-ups)