Okay so maybe I could make these pumpkin cupcakes anytime of the year, but for some reason fall rolls around and the cool weather and falling leaves just makes me want pumpkins and sweet potatoes and turkey...not that we actually have cool weather in New Orleans right now. Yesterday's high was 84. 84!! In mid November! I keep trying to brainwash myself to think fall and it will feel like fall...but the weather gods are just ignoring me.

Anyway...my coworker bought me this pumpkin cupcake pan from Williams-Sonoma as a gift a while back and I instantly fell in love with these cupcakes. I've been waiting all year for fall to come back around to make these again. They have a great soft crumb with a good pumpkin flavor that's not too overpowered with spice. Again, I love the bit of salt in there too, and although the original recipe comes with a frosting, I like them plain. When they're naked I can delude myself into thinking they're appropriate breakfast.