These Pumpkin Muffins with Spice Cake are my favorite kind of fall shortcut. Just three ingredients, minimal cleanup, and they still deliver that cozy, spiced flavor that makes the season feel special. They’re soft, fragrant, and perfect for busy mornings or last-minute get-togethers.
In our house, Halloween Rice Krispie Treats and Pumpkin Pie Milkshakes are non-negotiable once fall rolls in. The treats are festive, easy to make, and disappear faster than the candy corn.
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Why this Pumpkin Spice Cake Muffins Recipe is a Keeper
I love this recipe because they’re two-ingredient pumpkin muffins if you don’t count water as ingredient. They’re equally easy and delicious!
- Simplicity: With only three ingredients, it’s incredibly easy to make. No special skills or extensive knowledge of baking is required.
- Convenience: The ingredients are readily available in most grocery stores, especially during the fall season.
- Deliciousness: The resulting muffins are moist, flavorful, and have a perfect cake-like texture. They taste like they took a lot more effort than they did.
- Versatility: It’s a fantastic base recipe that can be customized with various additions and toppings.
What Kind of Pumpkin Do I Use for this Easy Pumpkin Muffins with Cake Mix?
It’s best to use canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to make these amazing fall muffins.
Pro Tip to Make Pumpkin Recipe
Just like scratch muffins, overmixing leads to dense, chewy results. Stir until just combined, lumps are okay.
Ingredient Notes to Make Easy Pumpkin Cake Muffins
This recipe requires two ingredients that you might even have in your pantry already.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Spice Cake Mix: You’ll need a box of cake mix to make pumpkin muffins.
- Pumpkin Puree: Be sure to use canned or homemade pumpkin puree for the delicious pumpkin flavor, not pie filling for these easy 3-ingredient pumpkin muffin.
Variations for Easy Cake Mix Pumpkin Muffins Recipe
This 2 ingredient pumpkin muffins recipe is super flexible, so it’s easy to switch up to match your taste. These are made with spice cake mix.
- Spice it up: If you’re using a plain cake mix, add 1-2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves to the dry mix before stirring in the pumpkin.
- Mix-ins: Fold in up to 1 cup of mix-ins like chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts), or dried cranberries for the best pumpkin muffins.
- Sweetness: For an extra sweet treat, add 1/2 cup of brown sugar or a few tablespoons of maple syrup to the batter.
- Protein Boost: Add a scoop of vanilla or unflavored protein powder for a more filling muffin.
- Healthy Twist: Use a sugar-free or gluten-free cake mix to adapt the recipe for dietary needs.
- Alternative Pumpkin: If you can’t find pumpkin puree, you can substitute it with sweet potato or butternut squash puree.
How to Make Easy Pumpkin Spice Cake Muffins
This recipe comes together in just 3 quick and easy steps. pumpkin muffins with cake mix are so good, they’re an easy pumpkin season favorite.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Preheat Oven and Prep Pan: Preheat the oven and place muffin liners on the cupcake pan.
- Make the Batter: Mix together the water, box of spice cake mix and pumpkin puree. Carefully spoon batter into muffin liners.
- Bake the Muffins: Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins
Prep these pumpkin chocolate chip muffins in advance to streamline your baking process.
- Dry Mix: You can pre-measure the cake mix and any dry spices and store them in a sealed container or bag. When you’re ready to bake, just add the pumpkin puree and water.
- Batter: The batter is best used immediately. If you need to make it ahead, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The batter may thicken, so you may need to add a splash of water to thin it out before baking.
Alternate Cooking Methods for Pumpkin Spice Muffins
Instead of making boring old muffins, there are a couple other ways you can make these muffins to satisfy your pumpkin spice craving.
- Loaf Pan: Pour the batter into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Bundt Cake: Pour the batter into a greased and floured Bundt pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35-45 minutes.
- Mug Cake: For a single-serving treat, combine 1/4 cup of the dry cake mix with 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree in a microwave-safe mug. Microwave on high for 60-90 seconds, or until cooked through.
- Mini Muffins: Use a mini muffin pan to make the cutest mini version of this easy pumpkin muffin recipe.
Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Pumpkin Muffins
- Store: Store the leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Reheat: Warm the muffins in the microwave for 15-20 seconds for a “freshly baked” taste.
- Use Leftovers: Use leftover muffins to make muffin-top cookies or a pumpkin bread pudding.
- Crumble: Crumble the muffins over yogurt or ice cream for a delicious fall dessert.
Questions About this Muffins with Spice Cake Mix Recipe
Sure, next time use a yellow cake mix, chocolate cake mix or white cake mix.
Nope, the pure pumpkin purée is used in place of the traditional boxed cake mix ingredients.
Overmixing the batter will result in tough, dense muffins. Mix just until the ingredients are combined and no dry pockets of cake mix remain.
Expert Tips for Easy 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins
- Fill the Cups: For perfect muffin tops, fill each muffin cup about 2/3 to 3/4 full of the pumpkin spice cake mix.
- Adjust Bake Time: Ovens vary, so keep an eye on your muffins. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with only a few moist crumbs attached.
- Add a Topping: A simple streusel topping or a dusting of powdered sugar can elevate these simple muffins and make muffins taste amazing.
- For a Richer Flavor: Use pumpkin pie spice-flavored cake mix for a more intense spice flavor.
- Frosting: After you let the muffins cool, make a delicious Cream Cheese Frosting to top this easy recipe for two ingredient pumpkin cake mix muffins.
- Serve this Recipe: Serve on a dessert table with Pumpkin Carrot Cake, No Bake Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie or Homemade Apple Fritters.
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Easy Pumpkin Muffins with Spice Cake
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Ingredients
- 18 ounces Spice cake mix, 1 box
- 15 ounces Pumpkin puree, 1 can
- 2 Tablespoons Water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir until combined.
- Spoon into muffin tins lined with paper muffin cups.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until a tooth pick, inserted into the center, comes out clean. Cool completely before serving.
Christina’s Notes
- Add to the Top of the Muffins: Sprinkle powder sugar on top. Drizzle icing on top of the muffins. Cream cheese frosting are wonderful on these 3 ingredient pumpkin muffins.
- Spray: Use a nonstick spray on the top of the muffin pan to keep the muffin tops from sticking.
- Variation tip: Use a yellow cake mix and add a few teaspoons pumpkin pie spice to make a spice cake.
- Chips: Add caramel or chocolate chips to the batter.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Christina, do you have a recipe for potato filling? Thank you
You could probably use white or yellow cake mix too… I want to try this with french vanilla cake mix (I think D.H.??? makes this)…
I try to collect some really simple recipes for my son; he has down’s syndrome & loves to help daMama in the kitchen, but gets confused/frustrated by complex recipes… This one will workgreat for him…
Thanx for sharing…