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Homemade Pumpkin Cupcakes

A Fall favorite dessert, these Homemade Pumpkin Cupcakes are moist pumpkin cupcakes topped with a spiced buttercream frosting!

A FUN FALL CUPCAKE

I’m a huge cupcake lover, but I’m also a huge pumpkin lover. So obviously I had to share my Homemade Pumpkin Cupcakes with you. These cupcakes are so good, you won’t want to stop at just one. Trust me it’s hard, I’ve tried! With easily available pantry staples, these cupcakes come together quickly. They are great to have around at home, to bring to gatherings, or to serve to guests. This just might become one of your favorite pumpkin dessert recipes! If you’re craving some sweet Fall flavor, then you need to make this Homemade Pumpkin Cupcake recipe.

Homemade Pumpkin Cupcakes close up on wire rack.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Can I use pumpkin pie filling?

No, you need to use pure pumpkin puree for this recipe for it to turn out like we want it.

Do I have to make my own frosting?

You can use canned frosting if you like Whatever works for you here.

Can this recipe be halved?

Absolutely! This makes a 24 count batch so if you want less, feel free to halve everything.

Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cupcakes and whip up the frosting (keeping them separate) one day ahead of time. Make sure that you store them in the refrigerator. Then on the day you serve, pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes.

How do I store leftovers?

These cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or a week in the refrigerator. These can also be frozen: bake and cool the cupcakes and place them in a freezer container or bag and they will keep frozen for up to 1 month. Let defrost on the countertop and then make the frosting and decorate before serving.

Three Homemade Pumpkin Cupcakes on plates Pinterest image.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

  • salted butter
  • granulated sugar
  • eggs
  • pumpkin puree
  • vanilla extract
  • baking powder
  • baking soda
  • pumpkin pie spice
  • all-purpose flour
  • powdered sugar
  • milk
  • kosher salt
  • pumpkin candy corn (optional)

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE PUMPKIN CUPCAKES:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare cupcake liners in a muffin tin. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl beat butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes until combined with a stand or hand mixer.

Butter and sugar beaten together in bowl.

Once that is beaten, add in pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla. Beat again until combined. Set aside.  

Pumpkin, eggs and vanilla beaten into butter mixture in bowl.

Sift all the dry ingredients in a separate bowl(flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice) and add half into the pumpkin mixture. 

Half of dry ingredients added to pumpkin mixturre.

Slowly fold in with a rubber spatula. Once that is just combined add in remaining dry ingredients and mix until no more flour appears. This is so you will not over mix.

Close up of dry ingredients folded in to pumpkin mixturre.

Divide batter into muffin tins, filling only ⅔ way full to avoid spilling. Level out batter with a spatula. 

Cupcake batter added to paper liners in tin.

Bake for 20-22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. 

Baked cupcakes in tin.

In a stand mixer or hand mixer use a paddle attachment to whip the butter and 4 cups of powdered sugar for 1 minute. Add in milk, salt and pumpkin spice. Beat on low for 30 seconds and then medium high for 2-3 minutes. Add 1-2 more cups of powdered sugar depending on what consistency you like for your buttercream. I added a total of 5 cups and it came out perfect for topping a cupcake. 

Frosting on spatula.

If desired, place the buttercream into a piping back with an Ateco 808 (or Wilton 1A) round tip. On the cooled cupcakes, pipe the frosting, beginning in the center, and go round and upward on top.

Frosted Homemade Pumpkin Cupcakes overhead photo on wire rack.

Top the cupcake with a mellow creme pumpkin candy.

Homemade Pumpkin Cupcakes frosted and decorated lined on wire rack.

 Serve and enjoy!

Liner pulled down from Homemade Pumpkin Cupcake with bite taken out.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?

Square close up image of finished decorated Homemade Pumpkin Cupcakes.

Homemade Pumpkin Cupcakes

A Fall favorite dessert, these Homemade Pumpkin Cupcakes are moist pumpkin cupcakes topped with a spiced buttercream frosting!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes
Servings: 24

Ingredients

Cupcakes:

Buttercream:

  • 1 ¼ cups unsalted butter room temperature
  • 5-6 cups powdered sugar
  • 4-5 Tablespoons milk
  • 1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • mellow creme pumpkin candy optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350F degrees and place liners in a muffin tin (NOTE: If you only have one 12-cup muffin pan, then you'll need to make these in two batches. Set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl beat butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes until combined with a stand or hand mixer.
  • Once that is beaten, add in pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla. Beat again until combined. Set aside.
  • Sift all the dry ingredients in a separate bowl (flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice) and add half into the pumpkin mixture.
  • Slowly fold in with a rubber spatula. Once that is just combined add in remaining dry ingredients and mix until no more flour appears. This is so you will not over mix.
  • Divide batter into muffin tins, filling only ⅔ full to avoid spilling.
  • Bake for 20-22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • In a stand mixer or hand mixer use a paddle attachment to whip the butter and 4 cups of powdered sugar for 1 minute. Add in milk, salt and pumpkin spice. Beat on low for 30 seconds and then medium high for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add 1-2 more cups of powdered sugar depending on what consistency you like for your buttercream. I added a total of 5 cups and it came out perfect for topping a cupcake.
  • If desired, place the buttercream into a piping bag with an Ateco 808 (or a Wilton 1A) round tip. On the cooled cupcakes, pipe the frosting, beginning in the center, and go round and upward on top.
  • Top the cupcakes with a mellow cream pumpkin candy.

Notes

  • These make a large batch you can halve this if you’d like.
  • These can be frozen, see my tips above on how to do that.
  • Make sure your cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 389kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 18g | Sodium: 127mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 42g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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