Are you sick of the pumpkin recipes yet? I hope NOT!! Fall is just starting so I’m hoping you’re prepared for the bombardment of pumpkin recipes the next month. I’ve shared a few already the past few weeks and have just a few more for you before baby comes. This next recipe is one that I’ve been wanting to make for years!! I’ve seen recipes for Pumpkin Cupcakes but most required a TON of ingredients and time, and I just wasn’t up for it. Call me lazy, but I’ve been on the search for an EASY Pumpkin Cupcakes recipe and finally found THE ONE!
The recipe comes from Real Simple, and I only made a few modifications. I also decided that if you’re going to make Pumpkin Cupcakes you HAVE to make a Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting to go with them, and that’s what I did. The hubby admitted to having 4 of them on the first night I made them. I also gave some to some friends that stopped by last week. They stopped by again Friday and admitted to eating all 6 cupcakes (there were two of them) within 24 hours. All agreed that the frosting and the fluffy and moist cupcakes together was a great combo.
MY OTHER RECIPESSo glad to have found this recipe and to have made a few changes!! It is the best Pumpkin Cupcakes recipe we have yet to try, and of course the best part was the frosting!!! It comes from Kraft Recipes, and was perfect for this cupcake recipe. π
My kids have never really been BIG fans of pumpkin recipes, but they absolutely loved these cupcakes. They, too, were slightly obsessed with the frosting and may have licked the bowl clean when it was made. Glad to find another “TWO THUMBS UP” pumpkin recipe for the blog.
For more pumpkin recipes, check out:
How to make Pumpkin Cupcakes:
- 1 box Yellow Cake Mix (plus ingredients listed on back minus the water)
- ½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- ½ tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 - 15 oz. can pumpkin puree
- 1 - 8 oz PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
- ¼ cup butter softened
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1½ tsp. cinnamon
- Candy Pumpkins
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Prepare cake mix as directed on box but add pumpkin pie spice and substitute pumpkin puree for the water. Add vanilla and cinnamon.
- Pour batter into cupcake liners in muffin tins.
- Bake for 17-20 minutes.
- Let cool completely.
- Combine ingredients for frosting in a medium bowl and beat until smooth.
- Pipe or spread frosting on and top with a Candy Pumpkin if desired. ENJOY!
BEHIND THE SCENES AT LILLUNA.COM:

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I am definitely not sick of pumpkin recipes! Pinned!
kara
Did you add the entire can of pumpkin puree or only enough to replace water?
Angie
I’m curious about this as well? The whole 15 oz can or just the amount of water called for in the recipe?
Lil' Luna
Yes, the whole can. π
Lil' Luna
The entire can. π
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
These are SO pretty!!
Lil' Luna
THANK YOU!!!
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Yum! These look delicious! Pinning! xo
Debbie
How many does this make?
Lil' Luna
It makes between 18-24 cupcakes. π
Angie
How would you alter the recipe to put in a bundt cake pan? I want to make it look like a pumpkin by doubling the recipe
Lil' Luna
Hmmmm… I would look on a standard cake mix box and see what the time is for 2 circle pans and work off of that. π
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Rebecca+Cooper
I love anything pumpkin! These sound amazing! π
Kathy
I am going to make these..love pumpkin!!
Lil' Luna
Let me know how it goes!!
Debbie
I’m making these right now! Bringing them to a birthday party for a friend. I made some full size cupcakes, and some mini cupcakes. They smell delicious!
Emily
My frosting ended up a little runny. Could you suggest something to help?
Jennifer
You can add more powdered sugar to give it a thicker consistency, just a little at a time until its how you like it. π
Lil' Luna
Yes, you can! Thanks for the comment. π
Lil' Luna
I would add more powdered sugar to stiffen it up a bit. π
Joanie Schwarzbeck
Hi,
Am making your cupcakes and am so excited… but, maybe on the top where you say all ingredients on the back… you should note there that you are substituting pumpkin for water! Those of us who have been baking for years don’t tend to read all the recipe before starting! Especially cupcakes! Thank you!
Lil' Luna
Thanks for the suggestion – just updated the recipe. I highly recommend reading the whole recipe first though. π
Ash
How many does this make?
Lil' Luna
I was able to get about 16 cupcakes out of this recipe. π
ash
I made these and got 20. Of course, they didn’t last long! Huge hit at the halloween party and my teenage daughter has requested them for thanksgiving!
Sandy
I have made these every weekend for the past 3 weeks. Everyone loves them. I made them for a 6 year old’s birthday, an 8 year old’ s birthday, a treat at my quilt guild, and work. They make they house smell good too!
Lil' Luna
Oh, I LOVE to hear that Sandy!! Sounds like they are a hit. And I hope they were easy too! π
Kim {on purpose home}
I made these yesterday and put a little twist on them: a churro-like topping. They were super yummy! Even my hubby who says he “hates” pumpkin liked them. Great recipe! http://www.onpurposehome.com/2014/11/21/pumpkin-churro-cupcakes/
Kim
Lil' Luna
Great idea!! So glad even the hubby liked them. π
k.gummiebear
i think i did something wrong when do u add the vanilla and cinamon to the cupcakes
jen
Yes I am getting ready to make these and I have the same question
Lil' Luna
Just updated the recipe. π
jen
Thanks! I did that hoping I was correct!
Michelle
these look yummy, bet they would be even better with a boxed spice cake! Definitely going to try yours. Thank you for sharing.
Michelle
Mar jeff
Hi eat,let want to make these but one question…….do I have to sift the powdered sugar before making the frosting?
Lil' Luna
No, you do not. π
Jill
Can i use the Libby Pumpkin Puree can? I read on a different site that using this for cupcakes won’t work. Thanks!
Elizabeth
I am a pumpkin lover! Gotta make these little cuppy cakes!!
Sara
Could you make these as mini-cupcakes? How long would you bake them for?
Lil' Luna
Of course!! I would start checking them maybe around 12 min and you could always add a min each time. I haven’t made them as mini ones before, so I couldn’t say exactly how long. Hope that helps!!
Megan
What if the yellow box recipe only calls for 3 eggs and 1/2 cup oil? It doesn’t say anything about water. Do I still use entire can of pumpkin along with oil and eggs? It’s pillsbury brand mix. Thanks!
Lil' Luna
You make the mix according to the directions on the box, but minus the water and the pumpkin puree with replace that. Hope that helps π Let me know what you think!
Megan
What if the box doesn’t say water at all? We are making these in school. I’m a teacher π
alesha
I made these this weekend and they were delicious yet a big blander than I anticipated. Maybe they couks be pumped up a little but with more pumpkin pie spice?
Thanks for the recipe!
Lil' Luna
You could definitely add more pumpkin spice if you want! Thanks for letting me know and giving them a try!
Coco Bane
I too have been in search of an easy pumpkin cupcake and the frosting looks so creamy. Thank you for posting it
Lil' Luna
Well, I hope this recipe helps! You are so welcome! Hope you like them!
michelle
Hi if I use spice cake mix instead of yellow cake mix would i still add the pumpkin pie spice or would i just leave it out?
Kristyn Merkley
I haven’t tried, but you could make it, see if it’s the taste you want, then maybe add a little more or maybe it would be just enough. Hope that helps!
Jennifer
These came out so good. This is a great recipe for an easy pumpkin pie cupcake.
Kristyn Merkley
Yay, I’m so glad! Thank you so much for sharing!
Melissa
No eggs?
Diane L Fajbik
Love your recipes!!!
Kristyn Merkley
Thanks so much!!
Linda
If you cannot find pumpkin purΓ©e can you use a can of pumpkin?
Thanks
Linda
Linda
I need to bake these on Sunday. Please let me know.
Kristyn Merkley
I’m sure it will turn out fine, though I haven’t personally tried. I bet it will taste good, still π
Linda
Do I need to add water to the pumpkin, since it’s not the purΓ©e?
Thanks,
Linda
Kristyn Merkley
No, I wouldn’t π
Jenifer Martindale
Could I substitute white cake mix for the yellow? And can these be made into mini cupcakes?
Kristyn Merkley
Yes & Yes π Let me know what you think! Thank you!
Keke Williams
I’m loving these recipe, can’t wait to try them
Kristyn Merkley
Yay, I’m glad! Let me know what you think, when you do! Thank you π