Dinner Party- Chocolate Cupcakes w/ Orange Frosting

Just last weekend my husband and I had a dinner party to attend, several young married couples gathered for fellowship and good food.  My sister-in-law and brother provided the dinner, and I opted to make dessert.  It always takes much thought and preparation for me to figure out what I am going to bring to a dinner party,  I am always worried about fulfilling everyone’s palettes. After much thought, I decided to make something with pumpkin.  It is fall and there is something about the aroma of pumpkin and cinnamon permeating my home, that reminds me of the Holidays.  Initially I thought I would make a chocolate pumpkin cake, but  I decided to make cupcakes instead.  Cupcakes allow for better portion control and are easy to handle at a party.  I also went as far to make orange frosting, and oh was it good (not exactly healthy, but at least not store bought)!!!

Cupcakes
2 1/2 Cups of whole wheat flour
1 cup of cocoa
1 1/2 tablespoons of baking soda
1 tablespoon of baking powder
3 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon of freshly grate nutmeg
3/4 cup of skim milk (almond or soy, would work as well)
1 1/2 cups of pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
1 cup of oil (vegetable or canola)
1 1/4 cups of unsweetened applesauce
1 1/2 cups of firmly packed dark brown sugar
5 large eggs

Frosting
1 8-ounce package of softened non-fat cream cheese
1/4 cup of softened butter
Juice of 1 orange
1 tablespoon of grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon  of pure vanilla extract
6 cups of confectioners sugar
1/4 teaspoon of orange food coloring