This is the only pumpkin cupcake recipe you will need! It has a moist and melt-in-your-mouth soft crumb, rich pumpkin spice flavor, and the best cream cheese frosting. Pumpkin cupcakes are so easy to make (as you’ll see in the video tutorial), and they rise beautifully every time.
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The Best Pumpkin Cupcake RecipeMake these once, and you will make them again and again – they are THAT good! This recipe was based on our popular pumpkin cake – it’s popular for good reason, and I know you will love these cupcakes just as much!
The whipped cream cheese frosting is as easy as it gets and it always gets compliments because it isn’t overly sweet and pipes beautifully. It tastes almost like a marshmallow cream. You literally add 5 ingredients to the bowl and beat them together.
Pumpkin Cupcakes Video
See how this delicious taste of Autumn comes together easily. I updated the recipe in 2024 to add pumpkin pie spice, and the taste and aroma are even better. I would pass you a cupcake right through the screen if I could.
Ingredients for Pumpkin CupcakesGrab a can of pumpkin puree (or homemade puree) and a few pantry staples to create moist, cinnamony cupcakes that are perfect for Fall. These pumpkin cupcakes are as easy as they are delicious!

Dry ingredients – all-purpose flour (measured correctly), sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice

Wet ingredients – 3 eggs (room temperature), vegetable oil (extra light olive oil works as well)

Pumpkin puree – use one 15oz can or 2 cups of well-drained homemade pumpkin puree (it’s so easy and fun to make). Be sure to use canned pumpkin puree, not canned pumpkin pie fillingIngredients for Cream Cheese FrostingOur cream cheese frosting perfectly compliments the pumpkin spice cupcakes, because it’s whipped to perfection and only requires these 5 ingredients.

Cream cheese – it’s important to use room temperature cheese to be sure the icing mixes properly

Unsalted butter – be sure the butter is also room temperature

Powdered sugar – sweetens the frosting

Salt – just a pinch is needed to balance the sweetness

Real vanilla extract – we use homemade but any storebought real vanilla extract will workHow to Make Pumpkin CupcakesIt takes almost no time to whip up a batch of these pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting for any time we have a Fall event, potluck, or party. Here are the simple instructions:

Prep – Heat the oven to 350° and then line a 24-count muffin pan with liners

Dry Ingredients – measure and mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and salt into a mixing bowl

Wet ingredients – use another bowl to completely mix the pumpkin puree, oil, and eggs.

Combine the batter – mix the wet ingredients and the flour mixture and then scoop the batter into the liners. (I use this trigger-release Ice cream scoop) Bake for 20-22 minutes and then rest in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.How to Make Cream Cheese FrostingThis is literally the easiest creamy cheese frosting because you put all of the ingredients into the mixing bowl and beat together until it’s fluffy and smooth. It comes together in minutes. If you want to make a bigger batch, you’ll want to follow our Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe.

Mix the ingredients – in the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, and beat the ingredients on medium speed until light and fluffy. Once cupcakes are cooled, ice the cupcakes (see our tips for decorating below)How to Decorate Pumpkin CupcakesThis pumpkin cupcake recipe looks great without fancy decorations, but I just love how fun these turn out with a bit of seasonal sprinkles and a fun piping tip. If you have the extra few minutes, try some of these ideas for making the cupcakes look as festive as they taste!

Orange cupcake liners (from Hobby Lobby)

Fall non-pareil sprinkles (I found these at Walmart)

Mellowcreme pumpkin candy

Large open-star frosting tip – Wilton 1M

Large frosting piping bag Make-AheadIt’s easy to make these pumpkin cupcakes ahead because they taste great at room temperature and chilled from the refrigerator. Be sure to refrigerate the icing within 2 hours.

To Refrigerate: keep decorated cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 5 days (icing can last for 2 weeks)

Freezing: before adding icing, put cakes in an airtight container to freeze for up to 3 months

To Reheat: thaw in the fridge overnight and serve cold. You can also take the cupcakes out of the fridge 30 minutes before serving them for a room-temperature dessert. Pumpkin Cupcakes are the perfect way to celebrate the tastes and smells of the Fall season! The cinnamony pumpkin spice flavor satisfies that sweet tooth, and the cream cheese icing perfectly compliments the moist cake. You’ll make this pumpkin cupcake recipe over and over again.

As I was developing and testing this recipe, I sent a couple of batches of these to my son’s school since 50+ cupcakes in the fridge are dangerous business! My son was so happy to deliver them. One bite and you will fall in love with these pumpkin cupcakes. When you try these, let me know.
More Pumpkin RecipesWe don’t celebrate Halloween at all, but we do love harvest time and Autumn, and all things pumpkin! Explore more of our pumpkin recipes here.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Soft Pumpkin Cookies

Pumpkin Pie

Fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes

Pumpkin Waffles

Easy Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Roll

Mini Pumpkin Pies

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