Comments on: pumpkin cupcake comparison

By: Kim

Kim — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:50:32 +0000

Bridget- You are absolutely right ! And the MS recipe I found also uses browned butter w/ fresh sage which adds a freshness to the pumpkin batter. I believe it is a variation of this one (not sure which one is the Original).

By: bridget

bridget — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:30:30 +0000

Kim – Good point; when you mentioned the color, I think it became obvious to me – air! The creaming method in Leite’s recipe incorporates a lot of air that isn’t in the MS batter.

By: Kim

Kim — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:26:16 +0000

Bridget- It might be the sugar OR maybe the eggs (4 vs2?) but even by the color (pics above), you can see that the MS ‘looks’ more pumpkin-y don’t you think?

By: bridget

bridget — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:12:31 +0000

Kim – Thanks for weighing in! It’s particularly interesting that you think MS’s recipe is more pumpkiny, because both recipes have the same ratio of flour:pumpkin (and spices). I wonder if it’s the extra sugar in MS’s recipe that brings out the pumpkin flavor more?

By: Kim

Kim — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:56:01 +0000

First, thanks for doing a comparison! I just baked off the Winner and can totally see/taste what you mean about it being more “cupcake-y” but I think I may prefer the Martha Stewart recipe. Yes, it’s more dense and muffin-y but it is also more pumpkin-y. And I think holds up better with the classic cream cheese frosting. SO, it’s a tie in my book. I will make the MS recipe when I feel I want a more “substantial” cupcake and this one when I want a lighter, more delicate pumpkin flavor.

By: Erin

Erin — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 15:51:21 +0000

Thank you so much for posting this! I googled the difference between the Leite and Stewart cupcakes and didn’t actually expect to find a comparison and was really surprised to find one. Thanks again

By: Chaya

Chaya — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:56:10 +0000

I enjoyed reading the comparison and how you came to your decision. I have made Martha Stewart’s but now, I would like to try David Leite’s. Thanks.

By: Beth

Beth — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:24:32 +0000

What a great comparison post! I went with your recommendation and made David Leite’s recipe… wow! I think this is my new favorite fall dessert.

By: Fey Becker

Fey Becker — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:12:28 +0000

Just popped a batch of the Smitten Kitchen cuppies out and oh my god… I knew it was possible to make pumpkin cupcakes that actually tasted like cupcakes… thank you so much for helping me reach a successful completion to my quest. Now, off to play with the recipe… I wonder what it would taste like with hazelnuts?

By: bridget

bridget — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:01:54 +0000

caroline – That’s regular-sized. About three times that many minis.