Spice Cupcakes

Total Time

Prep: 40 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Makes

14 cupcakes

Updated: Jul. 19, 2022
These moist, spicy cupcakes with creamy caramel frosting are a delicious treat. The recipe has been in my family for years. When I was growing up, it seemed these cupcakes were always in the freezer, just waiting to be snitched one at a time! —Carla Hodenfield, Ray, North Dakota

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon each ground allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • FROSTING:
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup half-and-half cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • Coarsely chopped walnuts, optional

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, bring water and raisins to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature (do not drain).
  2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg. Stir in raisins. Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and cloves; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in walnuts.
  3. Fill paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in cupcake comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
  4. For frosting, in a large saucepan, combine brown sugar, cream and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-low heat; cook and stir until smooth. Stir in butter and vanilla. Remove from the heat; cool slightly. Stir in confectioners' sugar until smooth; frost cupcakes. If desired, top with nuts.

Nutrition Facts

1 cupcake: 357 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 257mg sodium, 61g carbohydrate (46g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.