Pumpkin Cupcakes

The BEST spiced pumpkin cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. These cupcakes are made with real pumpkin, an incredible blend of seasonal spices, and topped with a flavor packed creamy frosting.

Looking for more delicious pumpkin treats? Be sure to try this pumpkin cake or these pumpkin cookies next!

Pumpkin muffins

I first had a version of these pumpkin cupcakes at a party several years ago and fell in love with them. My friend had adapted her recipe from a Taste of Home magazine recipe. I’ve tried several other pumpkin cupcakes over the years and nothing has ever compared to (or even come close to!) her recipe. A few minor tweaks of my own, and these cupcakes are the absolute best; everyone raves about them!

These cupcakes are perfectly pumpkin spiced, have the best texture, and the luscious cinnamon cream cheese frosting complements the cupcakes beautifully.

If you don’t love pumpkin pie and don’t want to go to all the effort of making a layered & frosted cake, these are the perfect Fall-time treat. These easy pumpkin cupcakes are sure to be a hit wherever you serve them!

Pumpkin cupcake tips

• When measuring the flour be sure to spoon and level the measuring cups so you aren’t adding in too much or too little flour. Too much flour and you’ll get dense cupcakes and too little flour and these cupcakes will likely sink and be too wet.
• Mix the dry and wet ingredients until just combined. Over mixing will result in dense cupcakes.
• For the perfect frosting make sure the cream cheese and butter are both the same temperature (room temperature). Avoid trying to rush the softening of the cream cheese and butter or you’ll end up with grainy and/or clumpy frosting.
• Bake the cupcakes in the center of your oven for even baking.
• Bring all the ingredients to room temperature before starting; this ensures even dispersion of ingredients for an overall better end texture.

Pumpkin cupcakes FAQs

Can I make this into a layer cake?

While you can, I think it would be easiest to use this pumpkin carrot cake recipe instead. The two recipes are similar and both have a cream cheese frosting. 

Can I freeze these cupcakes?

Yes, but only the base. I don’t recommend freezing the frosted cupcakes because the (dairy filled) cream cheese frosting doesn’t freeze and thaw as well as you may like. You can however prepare the cupcake base in advance and freeze them.

To freeze: place the completely cooled cupcakes on a sheet pan and freeze uncovered for 30 minutes. Then transfer to an airtight container to store in the freezer. Label and date; freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge for several hours and then on the countertop at room temperature until they are completely thawed out.

Can I make mini pumpkin cupcakes?

Definitely! Line a miniature muffin tin and fill 3/4ths the way full with batter. Bake the mini cupcakes around 10-15 minutes, checking for doneness at 10 minutes. To test for doneness by sticking a toothpick in the center of a cupcake. If it comes out clean (or with few moist crumbs) they are done and if it comes out wet you, add a few minutes!

Pumpkin cupcake variations

• Healthy pumpkin cupcakes: I would recommend trying these healthy pumpkin muffins and topping them with a little cream cheese frosting for a healthier treat.
• Halloween pumpkin cupcakes: these cupcakes make the perfect base to then jazz up and decorate for Halloween. Use this Halloween cupcakes post for cupcake decorating inspiration! You could also simply add a pumpkin candy corn (not sponsored) on top of the frosting for a fun Halloween decoration.
• Pumpkin cupcakes with buttercream frosting: if you’d like to replace the cinnamon cream cheese frosting with a buttercream, swap this frosting recipe out for the cream cheese one.
• Pumpkin cupcakes with maple frosting: use this maple frosting recipe in place of the cream cheese one.

Watch how to make these pumpkin cupcakes:

More Amazing Pumpkin Treats:

• Bakery Style Pumpkin Cookies soft & cakey cookies
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars (reader favorite recipe!)
• Pecan Streusel Pumpkin Pie with maple whipped cream
• Pumpkin Coffee Cake with streusel!
• Healthy Pumpkin Bread made with Greek yogurt

5 from 7 votes

Print

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Prep Time

25 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

45 mins

 

The BEST EVER pumpkin cupcakes with a delicious and easy cinnamon cream cheese frosting

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: pumpkin cupcakes

Servings: 24 cupcakes

Calories: 266 kcal

Ingredients

Cupcakes

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened not melted
• 1 and 1/2 cups white granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
• 3 large eggs
• 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin (make sure it's not watery; I recommend Libby's)
• 1 cup buttermilk (OR 1 cup regular milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar), separated
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 and 1/3 cups white all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Frosting

• 1 package (8 ounces) full fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin tin with paper liners and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. 
   

3. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add in the pumpkin, 1/4 cup buttermilk, and vanilla extract
   

4. In another bowl, combine the flour, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, ginger, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three parts, alternating each part with adding in 1/4 cup buttermilk (to use up the  remaining 3/4 cup buttermilk).

5. Fill the prepared muffin tin liners three-fourths the way full (this batter makes exactly enough for 24 cupcakes). Bake 20-25 minutes, in the center of the oven, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with few moist crumbs. 
   

6. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
   

7. For the frosting: in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla and cinnamon; beat until completely smooth. 
   

8. Frost the cupcakes. (Refrigerate any leftover cupcakes) Best within 2-3 days.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

• When measuring the flour be sure to spoon and level the measuring cups so you aren’t adding in too much or too little flour. Too much flour and you’ll get dense cupcakes and too little flour and these cupcakes will likely sink and be too wet.
• Mix the dry and wet ingredients until just combined. Over mixing will result in dense cupcakes.
• For the perfect frosting make sure the cream cheese and butter are both the same temperature (softened to room temperature). I leave out both at room temperature on the counter for 1-2 hours before making the frosting. Avoid trying to rush the softening of the cream cheese and butter or you'll end up with grainy and/or clumpy frosting.

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home