Pumpkin Brown Butter Cupcakes

I went to the grocery store a couple weeks ago, and, much to my complete horror, the place on the shelf where the pumpkin was supposed to be was completely bare!  A visit to a second store revealed the same.  When I finally found pumpkin at a THIRD store, I filled my cart and never looked back.

I LOVE all things pumpkin, and I couldn't have been happier when this month's Martha Stewart's Cupcake Club selection involved - PUMPKIN!

This recipe has it's own twist on the seasonal favorite, and the co-star to this delicious dessert is BUTTER!  I had to make friends with the butter in this recipe, since the last time I made cupcakes, I may have said some hurtful things. Like the fact that I usually like oil better.  But since butter was the flavor star, getting all brown and nutty, I knew I couldn't replace it.

The optional flavor twist in this recipe is sage.  I haven't cooked much with fresh sage, and I wasn't sure how strong the flavor would be, so I compromised.  I browned the butter with the sage and then pulled the sage out.

Guess what I discovered?  Sage fried in butter is really delicious!

And if you happen to be baking and not fixing your hungry family dinner, you can turn those fried sage  leaves into a delicious little snack!  The sage, by the way, was very subtle and a nice, interesting addition.

The rest of the recipe came together as it should.  The batter was dense and thick.

As were the cupcakes.  Would you expect anything less from a hearty comfort food like pumpkin?

The brown butter glaze tied everything together.

Thanks to Monica at My Cupcake Journey for this delicious selection!

The Martha Stewart Cupcake Club is a fun group of bakers, working their way through Martha Stewart's Cupcakes book.  You can find more information HERE!  We'd love to have you join us next month for Ginger and Molasses Cupcakes!  If you'd like the recipe, you can find it in her book HERE! Or on her website HERE (It's the same as the Pumpkin Sage Bread but add 1/2 cup sugar)!   The icing recipe is also on her website HERE!

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