I saw the recipe for Plum and Cardamom Cupcakes over on No Turnip, and decided with it being plum season and all - what better way to celebrate my dear Melissa's birthday! So Plum and Cardamom Cupcakes it was. And then I realized that, surprise surprise, I had used up all the cardamom - so i substituted pumpkin pie spice to give it that little kick. My recipe here was extremely simple:

1 box yellow cake mix - (follow as directed, but substitute the puree for the water)
plums, pureed (i mixed red and black)
2 heaping tsp. pumpkin pie mix

mix. pour into cupcake cups. bake as directed. Blammo..

The batter had a really delicate pink tinge to it, and had I not used up every single drop of red food coloring when I made red velvet cake back in June, I would have kicked it up with a few drops. The frosting was basic creamcheese frosting. I was going to perk it up with some spices but i was lazy and you know what? cream cheese frosting is fuckin delicious. My actual frosting job isn't great - cupcakes are tricky for frosting, at least for me, and i'm not what you would call a frosting type of girl. I'm a plain, cake on it's own or pie girl so frosting always seems a bit much - but hey these are not for me. So frosting ahoy!

final verdict? very moist and sweet without being overly sweet. The plums give it a great taste and the pie spice compliments it well. They aren't going to knock your socks off with a strong flavour, but they taste delish. I had to cook them a bit longer than i would have normally, although it may be my oven, which is still new. I really liked the recipe and i might use a little less liquid next time (i did add a bit of water) but overall it's a keeper.