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!
Love pumpkin recipes? You also need to try this Pumpkin Steamer or this Pumpkin Bread.
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!
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 but you are running short on time, here’s your solution!
Ingredients
- Cake Mix: You’ll need a spice cake mix to bring in all of those fall flavors. If you can’t find spice cake mix, you could probably use a vanilla cake mix and add in some pumpkin pie spice.
- Pumpkin Puree: This is pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie spice. Make sure to check your can to make sure you have the right thing.
- Eggs: I use large eggs.
- Water
- Oil: You can use a neutral cooking oil, like vegetable oil, avocado oil, or canola oil.
- Cream: This is heavy whipping cream.
- Cream Cheese: Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature so that it blends easily.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar is what sets this frosting apart. I like to use light brown sugar.
- Vanilla: This adds an extra dose of flavor.
How to Make Quick and Easy Pumpkin Cupcakes
STEP 1: Make the batter by mixing together the cake mix, pumpkin puree, eggs, water, and oil.
STEP 2: Fill a cupcake tin lined with liners with the batter. Each cup should be about 2/3 full.
STEP 3: Bake the cupcakes until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely.
STEP 4: Make the frosting by whipping the cream to soft peaks in one bowl. In another bowl, whip the cream cheese until soft and creamy. Add the brown sugar and vanilla to the cream cheese and beat well. Fold about 1/3 of the cream into the cream cheese mixture, then fold in the remaining cream. Pipe the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes.
More Pumpkin Recipes
Pumpkin Pie Cake
Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcakes
Pumpkin Cobbler
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Quick and Easy Pumpkin Cupcakes
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.1 package spice cake mix, 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree, 3 large eggs, 1/3 cup water, 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 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.1 cup heavy whipping cream
- In another bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add in the brown sugar and the vanilla extract, and beat again until completely combined.1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 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.*
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 🙂