Cupcakes don’t get easier than these Quick and Easy Pumpkin Cupcakes! Only 5 ingredients in the cupcakes, these cupcakes are also frosted in my very favorite frosting!
Originally posted October 30, 2008 – Well, September is officially upon us, so it’s time for all things fall, right? I know I’m ready! To get you started, I decided to bring these Quick and Easy Pumpkin Cupcakes from years ago back to the front of the blog. If you are ever short on time, or if you need a recipe that is fail proof, look no further. These cupcakes are filled with pumpkin flavor, and they are SO easy. Plus, they are topped with my very favorite frosting ever – this brown sugar cream cheese frosting. These cupcakes are perfect to enjoy all fall long!
The original post follows:
Have you ever had one of those days when you find out that you need a treat, and need it right away? So it couldn’t be an “experiment” – it had to be something fail proof.
I had one of those days a few days ago. I got a call from my sister, saying that it was my sister-in-law’s birthday and that we should take her out for lunch. Great idea! But I was not prepared! If you are a regular reader of my blog, you’ll know that I have been giving cupcakes to the birthday boy/girl in my family over the past 10 months. In my forgetfulness, or absentmindedness – I totally spaced her birthday, so I didn’t have a cupcake recipe planned to take to her. I knew I was going to have to go to the store since I probably didn’t have everything I needed on hand, and I only had a couple of hours before we met, so I knew I needed something I knew would work. I decided to just pick up a cake mix, since yes – they work every time! But I wanted something a little more, and I had remembered seeing a pumpkin cupcake made from a cake mix. After a quick internet search, which brought up lots of recipes, I decided on this one. It worked perfectly, was delicious, and I was right on time for the lunch with cupcakes for my sister-in-law!!
See how to make these Quick and Easy Pumpkin Cupcakes here:
For the frosting, I used a recipe I used for my first blog post on this blog. I think about that frosting a lot because it was so delicious, but have never made it since. I decided to take this opportunity to make it again, and I’m glad that I did, because it is my new favorite cream cheese frosting!
So if you are scrambling last minute for something to take to that Halloween party tomorrow night but you are running short on time, here’s your solution!
Looking for more pumpkin recipes?
Pumpkin Pie Cake
Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcakes
Pumpkin Cobbler
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars from A Treats Affair
Melt in Your Mouth Pumpkin Cookies from Dear Crissy
Pumpkin Crumb Cake Muffins from Sally’s Baking Addiction
Like what you see here? Make sure you are following Taste and Tell for more recipes and ideas!
Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter | Google+ | Weekly Newsletter | Feedly | Bloglovin
Looking for more free recipes?
Subscribe to my free recipe newsletter to get new family friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing more family-friendly inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram.
Quick and Easy Pumpkin Cupcakes
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cupcakes 1x
- Category: Dessert
Description
Cupcakes don’t get easier than these Quick and Easy Pumpkin Cupcakes! Only 5 ingredients in the cupcakes, these cupcakes are also frosted in my very favorite frosting!
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
- 1 package spice cake mix, dry
- 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
- 3 large eggs
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
Frosting:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.
Combine the cake mix, pumpkin puree, eggs, water and oil in a large bowl and mix until moistened. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
Fill each of the cupcake liners with the batter, filling each about 2/3 full.
Bake in the preheated oven until a tester inserted in the center of one comes out clean, 15-20 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the pan and cool completely.
To make the frosting, whip the cream to soft peaks. Set aside.
In another bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add in the brown sugar and the vanilla extract, and beat again until completely combined.
Fold about 1/3 of the cream into the cream cheese mixture. Once the whipped cream has been completely incorporated, add the remaining whipped cream and fold until it is combined.
Pipe the frosting on the cooled cupcakes.*
Recipe Notes:
*If your frosting is too runny, place the bowl in the refrigerator for a few minutes before piping.
Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 207
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 174 mg
- Fat: 12 G
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 47 mg
Don’t miss a thing! Follow me on Pinterest to see what I’m pinning!
Ashay says
I just made these cupcakes for Thanksgiving and they are so amazing! The frosting is the best cream cheese frosting I have ever had. My dad and I could not stop eating the frosting plain out of the bowl. I love how simple the ingredients are for the cupcakes, too, I only had to spend $4 on the entire recipe (as I had some of the ingredients at home)
bev says
Amazing
Katie Zufelt says
I loved the look of these CCakes right away so last night I whipped up a batch. Even without the frosting they are pretty! So light and fluffy and taste terrific!!! I don’t like candy corns so I will garnish mine with reeses pieces!!! Thanks so much for the great idea!!!!
Roxana says
These are just what I’m looking for. How full do you fill your cupcake liners? I’d like to make them for a babyshower and want them to look as cute as yours. Thanks!
Deborah says
@Roxana, I would fill them the same as you would a normal cupcake – between 2/3 and 3/4 full. I hope you love them!
Anonymous says
These are so good!! Amazing frosting.
Campbell's House says
Love your blog! I made these for thanksgiving, but i substituted gingerbread for pumpkin cupcakes. I loved them. The frosting rocked, too!
Here’s to a great 2009!
Karie Lee says
These were a big hit for us! Thanks!
glamah16 says
How fun! Im sure she loved them.
Maria says
Love these cute pumpkin cupcakes!
Maria
x
Madam Chow says
I’m seeing so many pumpkin posts that I’m getting itchy to start baking with it again!
Emiline says
They’re cute AND perfect!
Cynthia says
Deb, these are grogeous.
Jessie says
I love your cupcakes. They are adorable and look YUMMY!! I am also a part of daring bakers-can you advise on how to add the DB widget to my blog?
Megan says
I have no problems using a cake mix! 🙂
The frosting sounds devine. One cup of whipping cream = double yum!!!
Heather says
how adorable! i love the little candy corn toppings!!
Maryann says
That frosting sounds wonderful 🙂
Dawn says
I have many of those days when I want something sweet now and want those quick & easy shortcuts.
Looks good to me…I'm game with these.
Rico says
Fantastic cupcakes…and as they are fairly small easy to eat …just pop a whole one in your mouth and let them melt..hehe.. keep cooking they are great.
http://ricocofeeshop.blogspot.com
Bellini Valli says
Who wouldn’t love and appreciate these pumpkin flavoured cupcakes. I think we are related too:D I love pumpkin with a cream cheese icing…I love everything with a cream cheese icing!!
Paula says
Um, I’m sure we are related somehow and so I’d like these when you make my birthday cupcakes! 🙂 My oldest daughter would pilfer those candy corn right off the top. These sound wonderful and actually would fit in wonderfully to a Thanksgiving menu. Love that cream cheese frosting! YUM!
Gigi says
Perfect fall cupcakes! Happy Halloween!
Joanna says
these could not look any cuter! i love candy corn (but who doesn’t?) and on top of pumpkin cupcakes? omg how perfect is that?
Sophie says
Cute and tasty cupcakes to the rescue! What a yummy birthday gift :)!
Katie says
These look very cute. Happy halloween
Juliet says
Sounds delicious! I’ve been on a pumpkin kick at my blog and this sounds like a great recipe to try. I might make the frosting with low-fat cream cheese and see how that turns out.
http://thinkinsidetheicebox.com
Grace says
“Have you ever had one of those days when you find out that you need a treat, and need it right away?”
mmm…pretty much every day, and these would do quite nicely. heck, a couple spoonfuls of the frosting alone would suffice. 🙂
Darius T. Williams says
Ahh – this does looks quick and easy…and tasty!
-DTW
http://www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com
Peabody says
I’d like to find those in my trick or treat bag.
Patsyk says
These look great! I love the candy corns for decoration!
ashley says
very cute! happy halloween!
Susan says
Beautiful…
Yummy sounding ….
Super easy!
Wow they are perfect- now I know what to do with the spice cake mix in my closet that I keep pushing aside!
Thanks…:)
Mrs. says
Would it be so wrong if I just made the frosting and ate that? I mean, some of these fancy cupcake places sell the frosting in a cup so it couldn’t be that wrong? 🙂
housewifery says
ooh I make these every year. An even EASIER version of the recipe which creates moister denser cupcakes is to just mix the pumpkin with the spice cake and omit the other ingredients. It turns the cupcakes into the kind that get better over the next few days. 🙂
Lisa says
I am going to a party tomorrow night and need a dessert. I think I found it.
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
Such cute cupcakes! Happy Halloween!
cheers,
Rosa
Katy says
phenomenal! i love experimenting with pumpkin at this time in the season!
Mary says
I need to try your frosting recipe. It sounds fabulous! And I love a cake mix for a quick, easy and foolprrof dessert!
Ingrid says
Looks and sounds DELISH!
~ingrid
Tiffany says
I LOVE the photograph. Very nice!!!! I wish I could stand the thought of pumpkin. This is the time of year I wait for, to bake pumpkin goodies. But this pregnancy has so messed up my food cravings and aversions!! I guess I’ll have to re-do Fall in the Spring maybe? hahah!!
noble pig says
Well you know I love them! Very cute.
Sylvie says
Every now and then I think most of us go for the cake-mix-to-the-rescue option. They look great!
Aimée says
Way to hustle up something great! We’ve been going nuts on pumpkin around here. Get ready for a slew of recipes…
Emily says
Way cute cupcakes! Pumpkin are my favorite and your frosting recipe sounds really good! A must try!
Have a Happy Halloween!
Maria says
These are perfect for Halloween!! I will have to try your frosting recipe. Looks amazing!
Ryley says
oh… so mean!!! I have this craving for something pumkin that I just can’t get rid off.. the other night it was so bad. I had to whip up the pumpkin cobbler that you put a dry cake mix on top of. And then Aaron had the nerve to tell me I couldnt eat it for breakfast for the next 3 days!!!
And my craving still isnt cured…
kamailesfood says
Love pumpkin cupcakes! The frosting sounds delicious. I’ve never had cream cheese frosting like that. I’ll have to give it a try.
kat says
Just perfect for the season
nicole says
What cute lil’ cupcakes.