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Pumpkin Muffins with a Cake Mix

These pumpkin muffins with a cake mix make the perfect fall treat. This recipe is made with only 3 ingredients and so easy to make!  

Pumpkin muffins with brown sugar topping on top in a muffin pan.
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The Easiest Muffin Recipe You’ll Ever Make

Since fall has arrived, I thought it was only fair to share a pumpkin recipe with you. I love all things pumpkin. I can’t seem to get enough of it! These easy pumpkin cake mix muffins are so good and super simple to make. They’re just as delicious as my homemade pumpkin muffins, but made with less ingredients and a little less work.

One of my favorite things to do when baking is to doctor up a cake mix. You guys know I’m all about saving time in the kitchen. I used a spice cake mix (my favorite!) and then substituted a can of pumpkin for the oil and eggs. I also added in some pumpkin spice and cinnamon to bring out all the yummy pumpkin flavor.

These are so easy to whip up and are perfect for making in bulk and storing in the freezer for when you need a quick snack. We also love making these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin crumb muffins, pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and pumpkin cupcakes.

Only 4 Ingredients Needed

Cake mix muffins with pumpkin are as simple as they sound! All you need is a box of cake mix, pumpkin puree, cinnamon and brown sugar. Check out my notes for each ingredient below for the best results.

Pumpkin cake mix muffin ingredients on counter.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Cake Mix: You can use a yellow cake mix (and add cinnamon) or use a spice cake mix. The spice mix will have more spice flavor if you prefer that.
  • Cinnamon: If you’re using a cake mix make sure to add in the cinnamon. You can even add in a 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin spice to boost the flavor.
  • Pumpkin: You won’t need the eggs and oil, just pumpkin puree. It does all the magic.
  • Brown sugar: To keep this recipe quick and simple we just sprinkle brown sugar on top, however if you want to take them over the top make a crumble topping with the brown sugar and add a little bit of pumpkin spice in. You could even add in some pecans or walnuts.

How to Make Pumpkin Muffins With a Cake Mix

Making pumpkin muffins from cake mix couldn’t be easier. They’re prepped in just 10 minutes and the rest is just baking and cooling time. Perfect for the beginner baker!

Step by step collage showing how to make pumpkin muffins with cake mix.
  1. Mix. Whisk cake mix and pumpkin spice in a large bowl. Then stir in the pumpkin puree until combined.
  2. Fill muffin pan with batter. Fill 12 cupcake liners with batter (each 3/4 full). Sprinkle 1-2 teaspoons of brown sugar on top and press down lightly with back of a spoon.
  3. Bake and then cool. Bake in oven at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes or until a tooth pick comes clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

These muffins taste warm with a little butter on top. If you’d rather top the pumpkin muffins with frosting, that would work too! I’d recommend a maple frosting or cream cheese frosting or maple glaze. Both would taste delicious!

Pumpkin muffins made with a cake mix in muffin pan.

Recipe FAQs

How long do you cook mini pumpkin muffins?

You can easily make this recipe into mini pumpkin muffins as well! Just follow the same instructions, however fill 24 mini cupcake liners with batter. The bake at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes.

Can I substitute pumpkin for oil in cake mix?

Yes, the pumpkin will replace the oil (and eggs) in this recipe. It’s a great substitute and much healthier than oil.

Can you make these muffins gluten free?

Yes, simply swap with your favorite gluten free cake mix.

Storing Tips

To store, you’ll need an airtight container or zip top bag. I like to line the container/bag with a paper towel, then put the muffins over top. Repeat this for each layer. You can store at room temperature for 1-2 days or in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Freeze up to 3 months. Simply remove from the freezer and let thaw for 1 hour. You can warm up in the microwave as well.

Sliced pumpkin muffins made with a cake mix on a white plate.

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Pumpkin muffins made with a cake mix in muffin pan.

Pumpkin Muffins with a Cake Mix

5 from 16 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
These pumpkin muffins with a cake mix make the perfect fall treat. This recipe is made with only 3 ingredients and so easy to make!  
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Cool Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients 

  • 1 (18.5-ounce package) spice cake mix
  • 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice , plus more if desired
  • ¼ cup brown sugar , optional

Optional add-in's: Chocolate chips, Ground cinnamon

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
    • In a large bowl, whisk cake mix and pumpkin spice. Stir in pumpkin until combined.
    • Scoop the batter 3/4 of the way full in the cupcake liners. I like to use an ice cream scoop or large cookie scoop since the batter is thick. Sprinkle 1 to 2 teaspoons of brown sugar on top. Press it down into the batter lightly with the back of a spoon.
    • Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake.
    • Remove from oven and let cool in pan 2 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.

    Video


    Notes

    Variations:
    • Cake mix: Do not add any other ingredients on the box listed. You can also use a yellow cake mix for this recipe. Simply add an extra teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon. Chocolate cake mix makes a yummy muffin as well (almost like a mug cake). 
    • Crumb topping: If you’d like to add a crumb topping, follow this crumble topping recipe
    • Chocolate chips: Sometimes we like to add in 1/2 to 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips.
    • Toppings: You could also sprinkle a little extra pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon in with the brown sugar, if you’d like.
    Storage: Store in a covered container up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 289mg | Potassium: 223mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 5517IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 3mg

    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegetarian

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