These super moist pumpkin cupcakes are easy to make, perfectly pumpkin spiced, and finished with tangy cream cheese frosting. I adapted this recipe from my very favorite pumpkin cake. They’re a must-try during the fall season!
Pumpkin cupcakes deserve their own spotlight, right?
I received some questions about turning my pumpkin cake into cupcakes, so I figure a completely separate post for pumpkin cupcakes would be helpful. Compared to cake, cupcakes cook faster and are easier to decorate, transport, and serve. LOVE THAT!
These are the BEST Pumpkin Cupcakes
And I have a list to prove it!
- Easy to prepare
- Simple, basic ingredients
- Moist and soft
- Heightened pumpkin spice flavor (just like pumpkin pie!)
- Sweetened with brown sugar
- Topped with tangy cream cheese frosting
- Fun to decorate! 🙂
Let’s Compare
Let’s compare these pumpkin cupcakes to my beloved pumpkin muffins recipe. There’s definitely a few differences!
- Ease: Both pumpkin cupcake recipes are super low maintenance. You don’t need a mixer to make either batter (though you could certainly use one!) and both batters come together in minutes.
- Actual Recipes: The recipes themselves are pretty similar. Here I cut out the milk and reduced the flour to make up for less liquid. You only need 1 cup of flour, so you are basically guaranteed mega moist cupcakes. There’s also slightly less pumpkin because it can weigh down your baked good (totally fine in a hearty, slightly denser muffin though).
- Flavor: The flavors are pretty identical, including spices.
- Texture: But here’s the real difference—these pumpkin cupcakes are not quite as dense. They’re incredibly moist and soft, but have more of a cake and cupcake texture and less of a muffin texture.
My tip: As with most of my cupcake recipes, fill the liners only about 2/3 full. This is about 3 full Tablespoons of batter per cupcake. (See 9 more tips for baking the BEST cupcakes!)
Ingredients in Pumpkin Cupcakes
Because this homemade pumpkin cupcake recipe is based off of my pumpkin cake, you’ll notice the ingredients are almost exactly the same. In a nutshell, we halve the cake recipe to yield about 12 cupcakes. The spices and vanilla extract aren’t completely halved. Rather, I kept both on the higher side for plenty of FLAVOR!
Here’s what you need:
- Flour: All-purpose flour serves as the base. It’s sturdy enough to support the thick batter.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These help the cupcakes rise.
- Cinnamon & Pumpkin Pie Spice: Instead of prepared pumpkin pie spice, you can use 1/2 teaspoon each: ground allspice and ground ginger AND 1/4 teaspoon each: ground nutmeg and ground cloves. I love using homemade pumpkin pie spice here!
- Salt & Vanilla Extract: Both add flavor. Try making your own homemade vanilla extract sometime.
- Oil: Oil, as opposed to butter, guarantees a moist crumb.
- Eggs: Eggs provide structure and moisture.
- Sugar: I only use brown sugar to sweeten these cupcakes because it’s the best!
- Pumpkin: Use 1 cup of pumpkin puree in this recipe, then browse my pumpkin recipes to use up the rest of the can.
Cream Cheese Frosting
Cream cheese frosting is a pumpkin cupcake’s BFF.
Here’s what I love most about this duo: cream cheese frosting doesn’t take away from the pumpkin flavor. Rather, it lets the pumpkin cupcakes shine. Cream cheese frosting is not selfish. That’s a true friend, is it not?! 😉 We’d have a different story with, say, vanilla buttercream because it’s too sweet, too heavy, and too overpowering.
This cream cheese frosting will hold a little shape if you pipe it, though a simple swirl with a knife works too. I like to use a round tip for piping, like Ateco 808 large round because it resembles a big puffy cloud on top. It’s the same frosting and piping tip I use for carrot cake cupcakes, too.
If you really want to go wild, try this brown butter cream cheese frosting from my banana layer cake, this cinnamon cream cheese frosting from my banana cupcakes, this pumpkin spice cream cheese frosting from my pumpkin bars, or this salted caramel frosting. Or use chai spice buttercream—another favorite fall flavor!
For decoration/garnish, we love using these little pumpkins. Or you can try these festive fall sprinkles or mellowcreme pumpkins. We also used these cupcakes as the perfect base to decorate Halloween cupcakes!
More Perfect Pumpkin Recipes
- Pumpkin Muffins & Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies & Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
- Pumpkin Roll
- Brown Butter Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
- Pumpkin Bread
- Pumpkin Bundt Cake
- Recipes to Make With Leftover Pumpkin Puree
For even more inspiration, here are my 30+ favorite pumpkin dessert recipes.
PrintPumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 12 cupcakes
- Category: Cupcakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This is my favorite recipe for super moist and easy pumpkin spice cupcakes topped with delicious cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons store-bought or homemade pumpkin pie spice*
- 1/2 cup (120ml) canola or vegetable oil*
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 cup (225g) canned pumpkin puree*
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces (226g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3 cups (360g) confectioners’ sugar, plus an extra 1/4 cup if needed
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 12-count muffin pan with cupcake liners.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice together in a large bowl. Set aside. Whisk the oil, eggs, brown sugar, pumpkin, and vanilla extract together until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and use a mixer or whisk until completely combined. Batter will be thick.
- Pour/spoon the batter into the liners—fill only 2/3 full to avoid spilling over the sides. Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
- Make the frosting: In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter together on high speed until smooth and creamy. Add 3 confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then switch to high speed and beat for 2 minutes. If you want the frosting a little thicker, add the extra 1/4 cup of confectioners sugar (I add it).
- Frost cooled cupcakes however you’d like. I used an Ateco 808 large round piping tip for these pictured cupcakes. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I recommend a cupcake carrier for storing and transporting decorated cupcakes.
Notes
- Make Ahead Instructions: Cupcakes can be made ahead 1 day in advance, covered, and stored at room temperature. Frosting can also be made 1 day in advance, covered, and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use. Leftover cupcakes keep well covered tightly in the refrigerator for 3 days. Frosted or unfrosted cupcakes can be frozen up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): 12-count Muffin Pan | Cupcake Liners | Glass Mixing Bowls | Whisk | Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Piping Bag (Reusable or Disposable) | Ateco 808 Piping Tip | Cupcake Carrier
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: You can find pumpkin pie spice in the baking aisle of most grocery stores or make your own homemade pumpkin pie spice. If you don’t have either and want to use individual spices, use 1/2 teaspoon each: ground allspice and ground ginger AND 1/4 teaspoon each: ground nutmeg and ground cloves. This is in addition to the 1 teaspoon of cinnamon—you will still add that.
- Oil: Instead of 1/2 cup of oil, try 1/4 cup (45g) unsweetened applesauce and 1/4 (60ml) cup oil. The cupcakes are just as moist.
- Pumpkin: I strongly recommend using canned pumpkin puree over homemade in this recipe, though 1 cup of homemade would work just fine. I found the flavor better with canned. I prefer Libby’s brand.
- Mini Cupcakes: For around 30 mini cupcakes, bake for about 12-13 minutes, same oven temperature.
- Be sure to check out my 10 tips for baking the BEST cupcakes before you begin!
Question: I know that with traditional cupcake recipes, you don’t want to over-mix the batter, as it can affect the fluffiness of the final result. Does the same apply for THIS recipe? Or does this recipe need to be mixed more fully? Thanks in advance!
No matter which cake or cupcake recipe you are baking, over-mixing can over-develop the gluten in the flour which can result in tough-textured or dense baked good. That unfavorable texture is also more prominent in recipes where creaming butter + sugar is involved, too. So, to answer your question, it’s best practice to only mix the batter until the ingredients are combined unless otherwise stated in the recipe. Hope this helps!
IMMENSELY! I teach a high school cooking class and I always try to make sure I pass on correct & detailed info to my students. Thanks for the quick reply!
I did these over the weekend. First of all they smelled like heaven and secondly they tasted like heaven. Beautifully moist and were easy to make. I will definitely be doing this recipe again soon. Thank you for sharing!
These cupcakes were fantastic! I was really pleased with the cupcake texture – no muffin resemblance here! They were also very easy to throw together. Will absolutely be making these again.
Thanks Sally!!
These were a very popular (Canadian) Thanksgiving dessert this weekend! So simple and easy to make also. We had them with a squirt of canned whipping cream and a small scoop of ice cream, no icing. I accidentally used too much sugar (grabbed the 1/3 cup measure instead of the 1/4 cup measure) but they were fine with the extra, I guess I didn’t pack it down very hard though.
Well, pumpkin in a can will be on sale this week so I will have to make them again soon!
These cupcakes are divine! I followed your recipe to the T and they came out perfect. Thank you for sharing!
I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE these cupcakes!!! Make them every thanksgiving and they go right away! it’s the perfect combo of pumpkin, spices and the cool cream cheese frosting – yum!
Sally I had a question, could I make these cupcakes into mini-cupcakes? How much batter would you put in each mini cupcake? Thanks xx
I’m thrilled you enjoy these so much! This recipe makes around 30 mini cupcakes, bake for about 12-13 minutes, same oven temperature.
I made these cupcakes but instead of frosting served with whipped cream like pumpkin pie they were yummy! I froze some for later they were good too with my coffee for breakfast!
Sally,
These were delicious and super easy to make. Thank you.
Question, why do cupcake liners separate from the cupcake? It usually happens the next day. It is because the cupcakes are super moist, if so, what can I do to prevent it without compromising the texture of the cupcake?
Thanks, again!
Hi Teresa! This is a tough one because there’s really no guaranteed fix. These cupcakes are moist, so the wrappers can separate after a day or so. You can try using two wrappers per cupcake, playing around with the ingredients so the cupcakes aren’t as moist, or using high quality liners (if you aren’t already.) I love these.
Can these be made as a three layer six in cake? If so any adjustment?
Hi Jocelyn! Yes, you can use this pumpkin cupcake batter to make a 3 layer 6 inch cake. I recommend following the baking instructions for my 6 inch cake (while using this pumpkin batter).
Hello, Sally! I’m from Brasil and I just wanted to say that these cupcakes are fantastic. My kids absolutely loved them! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe.
Thses pumpkin cupcakes are amazing! This is such an easy recipe too! I have a question though, can I double this recipe to make 24 or should I make 2 batches?
Hi Rebecca! For absolute best taste and texture, I always recommend making separate batches.
So simple and soooo good. Super moist. Wow! Doubled up the spices in the cupcake and added cinnamon to the frosting for a little kick. Everyone loves ‘em.
I made these for a get together with friends and now they are my new official favorite Sally cupcake recipe. I followed the cake and cream cheese frosting recipe exactly, they turned out super moist and flavorful. I liked how easy it was to use a whisk for the cake batter and not my mixer. Thanks Sally!!
Yummy
Could you bake this as a cake in a 9 inch square pan?
Hi Hayley! That shouldn’t be a problem. I’m unsure of the exact bake time though.
I made these for a work potluck, and WOW. I’ve never received quite so positive a reaction for anything I’ve baked before. One person called them offensively good, another offered to pay me to bake them for her once a week. Safe to say that this recipe is a HUGE winner.
Hi Sally,
I always enjoy your recipes ☺️Question, When adding the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients do I have to whisk when mixing them? Or can I also fold the ingredients together with a silicon spatula
Whisking helps rid all those lumps, but you can use a spatula instead.
Hi Sally,
If I wanted to bake these as large cupcakes (12 large cupcakes) instead of regular size, what should I do to the batter quantity and bake time? Thank you in advance!
Hi Danielle! No matter which size cupcake you’re baking, fill the liners about 2/3 full. Bake time depends on size, so larger cupcakes will take a few minutes longer. Use a toothpick to test for doneness.
Just made these for a Thanksgiving party and they are delicious!!
I made these cupcakes this weekend and they came out perfect!
I took mine out after 18 and a half minutes and that was just right for me, but I think my oven runs hot. I also added a tiny bit of extra pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon to the cupcakes (not much extra- I just didn’t completely level off my teaspoons), and added a little bit of cinnamon to the frosting. After I piped the frosting (1M tip), I sprinkled my cupcakes with crushed up ginger snap cookies (wawa ginger snaps!) and they looked just like cupcakes from a fancy cupcake shop and they tasted perfect. Thank you!
Hi Sally, I made a batch of 12 cupcakes yesterday just to see how it turns out and it was delicious . Now I have signed up to bring this recipe to my son’s school for a fall treat. My son loves these cupcakes. Thank you so much . This is my 5th recipe from your blog. This is the only website I go to for all my baking needs.
Sally,
Thank you for the pumpkin cupcake recipe. I just made them and they are the best pumpkin cupcakes I ever had. Super moist and fluffy!
Thanks again,
Kim
I made these today for a get together at our house. They were so delicious Sally! Pumpkin and cream cheese are such a great combo! This is my official start to fall baking!!!
Hi Sally! Can I use pumpkin pie filling for this? Thanks!
Hi Diana! No, this recipe requires the pure pumpkin. I use Libby’s brand from a can.
I made these cupcakes on thanksgiving for a cupcake bake-off (I come from a family of competitive bakers) and they did not disappoint! I have made a bunch of your other recipes and they always come out so delicious! This is by far my favorite baking website and recommend it to all of my friends. I definitely plan on using one of your cookie recipes for a holiday cookie swap in December!
Hi Elle! Yep, completely normal. Frozen berries are incredibly wet when they thaw in the oven, even coated in flour.