Sticky toffee pumpkin cupcakes

Method

1.  Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan160°C/gas 4. Line the holes of a 12-hole muffin tin (the holes should be 5cm across at the top and just over 3cm deep) with paper muffin cases.
2.  Put the pumpkin into a heatproof bowl with 1 tablespoon of water. Cover with cling film and pierce a few times. Microwave on high for 10 minutes (based on an 800w oven) until the pumpkin is tender. Cool for 2-3 minutes before lifting off the cling film, or the steam could scald you. Transfer to a food processor and put the lid on. Whizz for 30 seconds until smooth, or use a hand blender. (If you aren’t using a microwave, put the pumpkin into a saucepan with 2 tablespoons of water and simmer, covered, over a medium heat for 15 minutes or until tender. Drain off any excess liquid, then whizz as above.)
3.  Put the oil, sugar and eggs in a large bowl. Using an electric hand whisk, mix together for 3 minutes until thick and pale. Sift in the flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger, cinnamon and mixed spice. Take a large metal spoon and mix gently yet thoroughly until you can no longer see any dry ingredients. Add the pumpkin purée and stir lightly to combine.
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4. Divide the mixture between the muffin cases, so they’re all three-quarters full. Bake for 20 minutes, until risen and cooked through. Insert a skewer into the centre of a muffin – if it comes out clean, it’s ready. Cool the cakes in the tin for 10 minutes, then cool on a wire rack.
5.  Put a tablespoonful of Dulce de Leche on top of each cake, then spread evenly across the top of each cake. Top each one with a dried apricot to decorate.