Go Back
+ servings
pecan pie cupcakes cut in half with white frosting and a pecan on top
Print Recipe
5 from 46 votes

Pecan Pie Cupcakes Recipe

A brown sugar cupcake with pecan pie filling and brown sugar frosting - the most delightful Thanksgiving cupcake recipe ever!
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Calories: 914kcal
Author: Dorothy Kern
Cost: $8

Ingredients

For the Filling:

  • 2 tablespoons (28g) Challenge Unsalted Butter
  • cup (79ml) corn syrup
  • ¼ cup (50g) packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoons (8g) cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 large eggs lightly beaten
  • ½ cup (60g) chopped toasted pecans (chopped small)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cupcakes:

  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 ¼ cups (155g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (113g) Challenge Unsalted Butter, melted
  • ½ cup (100g) packed brown sugar
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 5 ounces (148ml) buttermilk

For the Brown Sugar Frosting:

  • 1 ½ cups (339g) Challenge Unsalted Butter, softened
  • 3 tablespoons (38g) packed brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons (45ml) heavy whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups (339g) powdered sugar
  • 12 Toasted Pecan Halves for topping

Instructions

Make the filling:

  • Add butter to a small saucepan and melt over low heat. Add corn syrup, brown sugar, cornstarch, salt and eggs and whisk until smooth. Increase heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat and stir in pecans and vanilla; cool 10 minutes. Refrigerate one hour, or until thickened.

Make the Cupcakes:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cupcake pans with liners.
  • Whisk together salt, baking powder, and flour in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • Place melted butter in a large bowl and add brown and granulated sugars. Mix on medium speed to combine, about 1 minute.
  • Mix in eggs, one at a time, mixing between each addition.
  • Add in the buttermilk and the flour in 3 additions, mixing just until combined.
  • Fill cupcake liners about two-thirds full. Bake 14-17 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. Cool completely before filling and frosting.

Make the frosting:

  • Beat the butter until smooth in a large bowl or stand mixer. Add brown sugar and cream until fluffy, 2-3 minutes.
  • Add vanilla, heavy whipping cream and salt and mix until combined.
  • Reduce mixer to medium-low speed and while mixer is running, slowly add powdered sugar and mix until smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Then increase the mixer to medium-high and beat until fluffy and light, about 5 minutes.
  • Frosting can be stored in refrigerator for up to 2 days. Let come to room temperature and if needed, re-fluff with mixer for a few minutes before using.

Assemble the cupcakes:

  • Scoop out the center of each cupcake and add approximately 1 tablespoon of stuffing into the cupcake cavity.
  • Frost cupcakes as desired (cupcakes pictured were frosted using a Wilton 1M open star tip).
  • Store cupcakes in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cupcakes can be frozen before being frosted.

Video

Notes

  • To toast pecans: place in a frying pan over medium low heat and stir often until fragrant. Learn how to toast nuts here.
  • Milk: You can use regular milk or nondairy milk in place of the buttermilk. I don't recommend nonfat milk.
  • Gluten-Free: Swap the flour for 1:1 GF AP flour easily.
  • Skip making the cupcakes and use a cake mix - but you'll need to double the filling and frosting since cake mixes make about 24 cupcakes.
  • Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freeze them (frosted or unfrosted) for up to 3 months. Serve room temperature. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupcake | Calories: 914kcal | Carbohydrates: 112g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 160mg | Sodium: 331mg | Potassium: 407mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 86g | Vitamin A: 1048IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 144mg | Iron: 3mg