Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes With Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for greasing pans
• 3/4 cup firmly packed dark-brown sugar
• 2 cups cake flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup buttermilk mixed with 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 1/4 cups canned solid-pack pumpkin