# Components:
→ Cupcake Batter
01 - 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 - ½ teaspoon salt
05 - 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
06 - ½ cup vegetable oil
07 - 1 cup granulated sugar
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 1 cup pumpkin puree
10 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Cream Cheese Frosting
11 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
12 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
13 - 2 cups powdered sugar
14 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
15 - Pinch of salt
→ Assembly & "Rat" Decorations
16 - 12 large chocolate truffles or donut holes (for rat bodies)
17 - 24 mini chocolate chips or candy eyes (for eyes)
18 - 12 pink candy-coated chocolates or jelly beans (for noses)
19 - 24 thin licorice strings (for tails and whiskers)
20 - 24 almond slices (for ears)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil and granulated sugar until combined. Add the eggs, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract; whisk until the mixture is smooth.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir until just combined, taking care not to overmix the batter.
05 - Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cupcake liners. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely.
06 - For the cream cheese frosting, beat together the softened cream cheese and softened butter until smooth. Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until the frosting is light and fluffy.
07 - Generously frost the cooled cupcakes with the prepared cream cheese frosting.
08 - Assemble the "rat" decorations on each cupcake. Position a chocolate truffle or donut hole as the rat's body. Attach two mini chocolate chips or candy eyes for the eyes, a pink candy for the nose, and almond slices for the ears. Finally, add thin licorice strings for the tails and whiskers, pressing gently to secure them.
