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Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Name: Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 package spice cake mix; 15 ounces pumpkin puree; ⅓ cup water; ⅓ cup vegetable oil; 3 eggs; 8 ounces cream cheese (1 package, softened to room temperature); ¼ cup butter; 2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 Tablespoons sour cream; 6 cups powdered sugar

Written by:

2 Comments

5 from 2 votes

These pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting are an easy cake mix recipe with delicious pumpkin flavor and a fluffy cream cheese frosting.

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September is right around the corner and that means all the fall flavors and all things pumpkin recipes like this fluffy Pumpkin Cupcakes recipe.

This is an easy pumpkin cupcakes recipe since you are using cake mix you won’t even need to measure out any white sugar or all purpose flour and you will still get the best pumpkin cupcakes.

These turn out to be wonderfully moist pumpkin cupcakes because we use vegetable oil in the recipe with cake mix. So if you are a pumpkin lover, save this for the pumpkin season of baking for one of the best pumpkin cake and cupcake recipes.

A cake stand holds multiple small square pieces of frosted pumpkin cake, each topped with a swirl of cream cheese icing and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

A partially eaten cupcake with white frosting sits on a wooden surface surrounded by cinnamon sticks and autumn decor.

Recipe Ingredient Notes

Cupcake Ingredients

Spice cake mix
Canned pumpkin puree
Water
Vegetable oil (canola oil can work as well)
Eggs

Frosting Ingredients

Cream cheese softened to room temperature
Butter
Vanilla extract
Sour cream (or plain greek yogurt)
Powdered sugar
Cinnamon (option for cinnamon cream cheese frosting)

Equipment Needed

For this cupcake recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:

How to Make Pumpkin Cupcakes

Cupcake Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line muffin tins with paper liners.
Mix together dry ingredients of the cake mix with the wet ingredients, pumpkin, water, oil, and eggs until well combined with an electric mixer on medium speed.
Pour batter into prepared cups, filling 2/3 full — using a large cookie scoop can help portioning.
Bake for 18-23 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool completely on a wire rack.

Frosting Instructions

In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and sour cream until fluffy for the best results.
Beat in powdered sugar until smooth.
Spread it on top of the cupcakes by hand or with a piping bag and sprinkle a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg or your favorite warm spices.

An arrangement of pumpkin muffins with cream cheese frosting in brown parchment cups on a wooden table with decorative pumpkins, a jar of cinnamon sticks, and dried flowers in a vase.

A pumpkin spice cupcake with cream cheese frosting on a wooden surface, surrounded by autumn-themed decorations including a jar and a bowl with cinnamon sticks in the background.

Decorative Options

Add your own little twist to these cupcakes with the following topping options: candy corn, sprinkles, or cinnamon. Drizzle on some caramel sauce. You can also impress your guests by topping with Edible Fall Leaves. Halloween cupcake liners are very popular in our family, and great for parties.

Storage Suggestions

To store cupcakes, make sure to let them completely cool. Unfrosted cupcakes are easier to store after baking, then frosted cupcakes.

Container: Always store cupcakes in an airtight container to prevent the air from drying them out and contamination.
Counter: Unfrosted cupcakes can be store at room temperature (and out of sunlight) for one day.
Refrigerator: You can keep cupcakes in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Before eating, allow them time to come back to room temperature before serving. If you ice them with the cream cheese frosting, we recommend refrigerating them.

A cupcake with brown cake and white frosting, lightly dusted with cinnamon, sits on a piece of parchment paper on a wooden table.

Enjoy More Delicious Pumpkin Cakes and Cupcakes

We absolutely love pumpkin recipes, especially in the fall and winter. Check out our comprehensive collection of pumpkin recipes here.

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Questions & Reviews

Michele says:

These cupcakes look fabulous! NEVER too early for pumpkin. YUM!
Lindsay says:

These cupcakes were a big hit with my family! So moist and full of pumpkin flavor!

About The Author:

Steph Loaiza

Steph is recipe developer and bestselling cookbook author. Her advanced degrees in communication shape how she breaks down cooking techniques into simple, reliable steps for millions of home cooks around the world. Her work has been featured by Costco Connection, Women's Health, Taste of Home, and more.