This time of year pumpkins and winter squash are in season and there are so many wonderful ways to use them.  I made a few great dishes lately: butternut squash soups, ravioli, triple layer pumpkin pie, roasted squash.

One quick treat I make is pumpkin muffins with the Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread mix.  They’re quick and easy to make and all the kids love them.  I had an event to go to so I got an idea to jazz them up a bit by making a frosting and turning them into cupcakes.  I adapted a recipe I found for cream cheese frosting.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting

1 brick cream cheese (cold)

1 stick unsalted butter (room temp)

¾ cup confectioners’ sugar

2 Tbsp pumpkin

1 tsp vanilla

¼ tsp cinnamon

⅛ tsp ground ginger

In food processor blend the cream cheese and butter.  Add the confectioners’ sugar and blend until smooth.  Add rest ingredients until well mixed.  Frost cupcakes/muffins when well cooled.

They were delicious!  Great easy treat and most kids liked them.