Pumpkin passion cupcakes

Ingredients

• 175 ml unrefined sunflower oil 
• 175 g g muscovado sugar light
• 3 large eggs 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 
• 200 g butternut squash grated
• 100 g golden raisins 
• 1  orange zest grated
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon 
• 200 g self raising flour 
• 1 tsp baking soda 
• 200 g cream cheese 
• 85 g powdered sugar 

Equipment

• bowl
• oven
• wire rack
• skewers
• muffin tray

Directions

1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas
2. Line a 12-hole muffin tray with paper cases.
3. Pour the oil into a large bowl and add the sugar, eggs and vanilla. Beat together, then add the grated pumpkin, sultanas and orange zest.
4. Stir in the cinnamon, flour and bicarbonate of soda, the mixture will be quite wet. Spoon into the cases.
5. Bake for 25 mins until firm and springy to the touch and a skewer inserted in the centre of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack. At this stage you can freeze the cakes for 4 months.
6. To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth then spread on top of the cupcakes. Leave plain or decorate with toasted pecans. Store in the fridge, but return to room temperature to serve for the best flavour and texture.