When you start feeling that nip in the air and the leaves begin changing color, it’s time for all things pumpkin! Some of our other favorite pumpkin recipes are a classic Pumpkin Roll, Pumpkin Ice Cream, and a yummy Pumpkin Pie Smoothie that’s great for when you have a partial can of pumpkin puree leftover! How can you resist a cute little handheld treat topped with one of those adorable candy pumpkins? You don’t need any fancy decorating skills if you just make smart choices about how to accessorize a cupcake.
Why this recipe works
The pumpkin cake batter is made from scratch with real pumpkin puree and spices for better flavor and texture than any box mix. The batter is made in one bowl in all of 10 minutes, and that includes time spent opening a can of pumpkin puree. It’s super, dupe simple and no-fail thanks to the pumpkin which adds moisture to avoid the problem of cupcakes drying out.Did I already mention the cinnamon cream cheese frosting that I could basically eat with just a spoon? Yeah, that stuff is gooooood.I have noticed that even folks who generally turn up their noses at pumpkin desserts can’t resist them in cupcake form.
Recipe Ingredients
Pumpkin: You can make homemade pumpkin puree (actually a really fun project that will have your kids oohing and ahhing) or just use the canned kind from the store. Just be sure it’s pumpkin puree and not pumpkin filling which has spices and stuff added to it.Dark brown sugar: If you only have light brown sugar, that will work, but I like the extra depth and molasses flavor of the dark brown sugar for this recipe.Warm Spices: There’s cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger in these pumpkins, although you could just replace them with pumpkin spice if you have a jar of it on hand. But I rarely have pumpkin pie spice in my cupboard since it’s just one more jar and I only use it for a couple months out of the year.
How to Make Moist Pumpkin Cupcakes
Recipe Tips
Using room temperature ingredients gives the best results when baking cakes and cupcakes. They combine together better, which results in a more even bake.Don’t overmix the cupcake batter. Mixing the batter too long can result in denser cupcakes instead of the light, wonder crumb we are striving for.Bake the cupcakes in the center of the oven or consider rotating the pan partway through baking so they rise evenly.
Variations
If you want to change things up, these pumpkin cupcakes would be delicious with chocolate frosting, the graham cracker frosting from my s’mores cupcakes, or eggnog frosting. Or make it Halloween themed with a black and orange version of this homemade rainbow chip frosting. Another idea would be to add mini chocolate chips or chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter or the frosting. Or drizzle the cupcakes with caramel!
More Pumpkin Recipes
Pumpkin Pull Apart BreadPumpkin SnickerdoodlesPumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese FrostingLight & Creamy Pumpkin Chiffon Pie
More Fall Recipes
Beverages Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
Apple Cider Milk Tea With Boba And Caramel Apple from Magical IngredientsApple Cider Old Fashioned from Books n’ Cooks
Breakfast and Baked Goods
Apple Cider Donut Muffins from Cheese Curd In ParadisePear and Apple Cider Scones from A Kitchen Hoor’s AdventuresSpiced Pumpkin Coffee Cake from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Side Dishes
Balsamic Roasted Purple Brussels Sprouts W/ Grapes & Chestnuts from Savory MomentsCinnamon Sweet Potato Pumpkin Muffins from BlogghettiFall Roasted Vegetable Medley from Family Around the TableGlazed Cippolini Onions With Rosemary from Life Love and Good FoodSweet Potato Latkes from Take Two Tapas
Main Dishes
Apple Cider Pulled Pork With Apple Slaw from Simple and SavoryButternut Squash Pasta Sauce from Jen around the world
Desserts
Apple Blondies from Eat Move MakeApple Turnover from Art of Natural LivingButterscotch Pie from Lemon BlossomsGf Cinnamon Graham Cracker Cupcakes from Frugal & FitNo- Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake With Salted Caramel Glaze from West Via MidwestOatmeal Scotchies from Palatable PastimePear Bundt Cake from The Fresh CookyPear Cobbler from Fresh April FloursPear Crisp Ice Cream from Jolene’s Recipe JournalPecan Butter Cookies from An Affair from the HeartPecan Pie Bars from Devour DinnerPumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies from SueBee HomemakerRosemary Pecan Shortbread With Honey-Ginger Icing from The Spiffy CookieSweet Tea Panna Cotta from Karen’s Kitchen StoriesTurtle Waffle Ice Cream Sandwiches from That Recipe
