Ingredients

  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • Pinch kosher salt
  • 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3/4 cup lightly packed brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 large eggs
  • 8 1/2 ounces sweet potato puree
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon maple extract
  • 3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
  • Pinch fine salt

Method

  • Special equipment: a piping bag fitted with a tip
  • For the graham cracker crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a standard muffin pan or cupcake pan with 12 cupcake liners.
  • In a small mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, butter, granulated sugar and salt and mix well with a fork.
  • Drop about 1 tablespoon of the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of each cupcake liner and press down to line the bottom.
  • Bake for 5 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven but keep the oven on.
  • For the cake batter: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat.
  • Continue to cook, swirling occasionally, until the butter turns golden brown and there are little burnt bits at the bottom of the pan.
  • Skim the foam from the top and pour it into a bowl (including the brown bits) to stop the cooking.
  • Let cool to room temperature.
  • In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt and set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together the brown sugar and browned butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.
  • Beat in the eggs and then scrape down the bowl.
  • Mix in the sweet potato puree and vanilla extract, beating until just combined.
  • Reduce the mixer speed to low and add in the dry ingredients, mixing until just incorporated.
  • Divide the batter among the cupcake liners with the graham cracker crust, filling them three-quarters full.
  • Bake until a tester inserted into the centers comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
  • Set the pan on a rack to cool.
  • For the frosting: In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, maple syrup and maple extract together until smooth.
  • Add the confectioner' sugar and beat on low speed until incorporated.
  • Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.
  • Add the salt and mix to incorporate.
  • To assemble: Use a piping bag to frost the cooled cupcakes generously.