Are you a pumpkin person? I am. Frankly, I don’t need it to be a certain season to eat pumpkin. I’m the kind of girl who could happily eat it year-round and savor each bite of it. Each bit of it tastes like warm, comfort food to me.
But as life so often goes, most things have a season. Luckily, here we are coming up to the end of “pumpkin season” and before we exchange our lovely gourds for cranberries and chocolate, I have a simple pumpkin recipe for you that will never get old.
My Pumpkin Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting is a recipe I created about two years ago. We were under contract for the farm and desperately trying to get our house ready to sell. But, I was a blogger and felt as if fall was passing me by without giving me a moment to indulge in all its flavors fully.
Creating my pumpkin cupcakes recipe
One afternoon I set out to make this recipe – based on an even older recipe of mine on my old mom blog – just to squeeze a little more sugar and spice into the season. I added a dash of this, took away a dash of that and in the end created something that will be a fall family tradition for us…that we might just eat in May too. 🙂
With Thanksgiving just weeks away, the cold nights and crisp days, these Pumpkin Cupcakes feel like a homecoming of sorts. One of those familiar, old friends that you look forward to seeing…but with cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients for pumpkin cupcakes
You might be familiar with most of the ingredients you need to make pumpkin cupcakes. But the most important one will be the pumpkin itself. You can find my recipe for making homemade pumpkin puree {HERE}. I promise, it’s really simple and once you do it, you will never use pumpkin from a can again.
If you’re familiar with my recipes, then you know I often use a mild olive oil in place of other oils in my baked goods. For instance, I use olive oil in my favorite white cake recipe {HERE}. Or, I cut out the oil altogether and replace it with something else, usually sour cream or mayo. In this recipe I am using olive oil. However, if you can’t find a mild olive oil (no extra virgin here) use canola oil as a substitute. You don’t want to throw off the taste profile of the pumpkin.
The perfect flavor profile
You know how sometimes you go into those specialty cupcake shops, really excited to sample their cupcakes? Then you take one bite and find out the cupcakes taste like muffins? Or that they’re so dry you can’t finish it? Has anyone else had this experience?
Well, my goal with these was to avoid creating a cupcake that tasted like a muffin (because they’re two different things!) and to make a cupcake that’s moist, delicious and tastes like something my grandma would make.
All that said, I feel pretty proud of this little recipe. I love the light pumpkin flavor – not too much “spice” – and how moist the cake is. It’s soft, sweet and will give you all the fall feels.
The cream cheese frosting
You might not believe this, but I’m not actually the biggest fan of frosting. Similar to my issue above with texture and sweetness in the cake part of cupcakes, I often find frosting too sweet or gritty. But this, frosting for the Pumpkin cupcakes? This cream cheese frosting I LOVE. And by LOVE I mean, I will lick it directly from the mixer attachments.
When making cupcakes I almost always use this frosting. I have a few exceptions, one that can be found on this white cake recipe {HERE} and a whipped frosting that I made for an ice cream cake on old mom blog, which I promise to put here someday too.
In the meantime, though, you can find the full recipe for these delicious, sweet and flavorful Pumpkin Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting below. If you’re a big pumpkin fan you can also find my recipe for Pumpkin Bread that my children devour {HERE}.
My kitchen favorites
Here are a few of my favorite things for making cupcakes and muffins:
- Goodgrips Non-stick Pro Muffin Tin
- Perfect results Non-Stick Bakeware
- Stainless Steel French Whisk
- Nesting mixing bowls (We have these in an older color but I love them so much we bought two sets.)
- Glass Prep Bowls
Thank you so much for visiting today, friends! I hope you’ll come back again to see what else we’re up to at Sugar Maple Farmhouse. For more pumpkin recipes click {HERE}.
Pumpkin Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting
Ingredients
Pumpkin Cupcakes Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 cups + 2 Tbsp. of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1/2 cup very mild olive oil or canola oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1.5 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp. baking soda
Cream cheese frosting ingredients
- 8 oz. cream cheese
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 & 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 & 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
Pumpkin Cupcake instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Make sure they are all well mixed and then set aside.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together granulated sugar and brown sugar until there are no lumps.
- Add canola oil and blend or whisk. If using your electric mixer, put it on medium and make sure you are catching the sides and bottom of the bowl.
- Mix in eggs one at a time until well blended and then mix in pumpkin and vanilla. Make sure everything is well blended before moving on.
- Slowly begin adding the flour mixture from the first bowl, a little at a time. Make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl again and the bottom.
- Fill up your lined cupcake tins about 3/4 of the way up.
- Bake for about 19 - 23 minutes. My oven tends to cook fast so I went with 19.
Cream cheese frosting instructions
- Mix together butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy.
- Mix in vanilla and powdered sugar until everything is well blended and smooth. You can put this in the refrigerator if you need to, but you can also pipe this onto the cupcakes right away once they have cooled. I like to use it right away. If you decide to chill it you will need to wait when it comes out to use it until it softens again.
- Top the cupcakes and enjoy!
tara pittman says
I love everything pumpkin. These cupcakes do sound so delicious and I need to make them
melissa chapman says
I am not a pumpkin person in general but these cupcakes look amazing. Now that frosting on the other hand looks perfect and good on everything
Heather says
You had me at pumpkin. I can’t believe I haven’t had a pumpkin cupcake before. They look and sound delicious.
Pam Wattenbarger says
Those look like a great Thanksgiving dessert that everyone would enjoy. Cream cheese frosting is always a hit at our home.
Diana says
These cupcakes look so yummy! I love pumpkin flavored things!
Brandy Ellen Writes says
Your pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting look very delicious! I’ll have to try to make them for our holiday feasts this year.
Bri says
These look great! My family always makes pumpkin rolls (which are a pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting rolled up and then sliced). These are like the rolls’ twin sister. Same concept but prettier!
Fatima D Torres says
I love pumpkin treats during the fall. These cupcakes would be ideal to create for the family.
Debra P says
5 stars! These pumpkin cupcakes with the cream cheese frosting look amazing. I used to get mine at Starbucks but since the weather is getting colder and with all going on, it would be wonderful to make these at home. Thanks for the recipe.
Lisa Joy Thompson says
These cupcakes look delicious! We love pumpkin everything at our house and usually buy cases of canned pumpkin right about now so we can continue having lots of pumpkin-y goodness throughout the year!
melissa chapman says
I know pumpkin is a fall/winter thing but that does not mean we can not do pumpkin all year and everyone loves cupcakes.
Ryan Escat says
I love how simple it looks and I can imagine how moist this could be. Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe.
Harmony, Momma To Go says
Sounds amazing. I like how they are simple but flavorful! I love cream cheese frosting. Doesn’t sound too hard to make – Im sure much better than the store bought stuff
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
Bet these cupcakes are moist! Love the pumpkin flavor and that tall twirl of the frosting, too!
Cassie says
Oh my goodness these look so good!!!!!
Ramona says
I’ve had some pumpkin in my fridge and we made those cupcakes. They are amazing, definitely a recipe that I’m going to keep and make again, thank you so much for sharing!
Rosemary says
I’m not a huge pumpkin fan but I do love the flavors around the holidays. These cupcakes look delish and I especially love the cream cheese frosting.
Cyndi Buchanan says
These look amazing! I might have to make these for Thanksgiving.
Sarah Bailey says
Ohh now these sound like some delicious cupcakes. I have to admit I don’t think I’ve had pumpkin cupcakes but I definitely need to try it.
Ben says
Those sound awesome! I love that cream cheese and pumpkin. It’s the classic fall combo. Om nom nom.
Mar Wahrer says
You had me at cupcakes! These look like the perfect fall treat. Super yum!
Janeane M Davis says
People go pumpkin crazy this time of year. That means these cupcake will be a big hit with treat lovers.
Flossie | SuperMomHacks says
Ohhhhh such a perfect flavor combination! My girls would LOVE making these with me over the weekend!
Fatima D Torres says
One of my favorite treats during this season is pumpkin flavored cupcakes! These look delicious.
Nikki Wayne says
Looks scrumptious,better try this one before the season ends
Lynndee says
I love pumpkin spice everything. I bet this is as delicious as it looks.
Shoma says
Oh my! These beauties will definitely be added to my Thanksgiving Menu! They look so delicious! Thanks for sharing!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN says
I love the sound of these. I’ve never had pumpkin spiced anything before. These look delicious!!!
Kathy says
These look amazing. I bet they taste great too. I love the flavor of pumpkin. It’s so good.
Makenna @MoreThanRavens says
These are so cute! I have never made my own pumpkin puree before, but I’m trying to switch to a more “whole foods” diet so I may have to give it a try. I’m also not a big frosting fan either (unless maybe it’s chocolate frosting) so your frosting may be for me! I love the way you piped it onto the cupcakes.
Marysa says
This sounds like an absolutely amazing combination! I would love to make these.. I can only imagine how good the house would smell too!
Natasha Mairs says
These look really yummy!! I bet these would go down a treat in my house and perfect for autumn x
Catalina says
My family will go crazy over these cupcakes! This cream cheese frosting makes them irresistible!
Heather Behrends says
These look SO good! Seriously, I don’t think there are any better combinations that pumpkin spice and cream cheese frosting. My tummy is growling just looking at these bites of yumminess.
Alyssa says
My 5 stars won’t stick! Sorry :/ I tried this recipe and it’s so delicious. The frosting is perfectly sweet. 5 ✨
Rachel Quenzer says
Thank you for commenting and making it. Glad you loved it!
Kimmy says
You had me at pumpkin and cream cheese!
Kita Bryant says
I am craving one of these right now. Pumpkin is one of my favorite dessert flavors.
Puja Kumari says
They are looking so nice , thank for sharing this recipe. I’ll surly try it
Ice Cream n Sticky Fingers says
Yum, I bet these cupcakes with cream cheese frosting sounds so good. I tried making homemade cream cheese icing but it was a bit too runny.. I’ll have to try it again.
Aneta Anna Alaei says
These sound absolutely delicious. Will be adding them to our baking list so we can enjoy too
melissa says
oh my! this looks so good and yummy. I love everything pumpkin and the icing is like a cherry on top lol.
sydney says
Pumpkin cupcakes are my daughters favorite! I’ll have to try this recipe out with her sometime!
Amber Myers says
Yes! I will love these. I am all about pumpkin desserts.
Tasheena says
I love pumpkin cupcakes, looking forward to giving this recipe a try.
Edith Aguirre says
I love everything with pumpkin, can’t wait to try this recipe. Its my all time favorites
Marysa says
What a great combination! This sounds like the perfect fall dessert. I’d probably enjoy this more than carrot cake with cream cheese frosting!
Emily | Good Mom Living says
I am really excited to try these! I am saving this recipe because it sounds amazing!!
Emily | Good Mom Living
Terri Steffes says
These sound so good. My daughter’s birthday is Saturday. Maybe we should make these!
Ashley t says
These look and sound so delicious. Definitely gonna try these this weekend.
Stephanie Rose de Jesus says
This is a must try this holiday season!! Thanks for sharing!
Richelle Escat says
I love trying out different flavors of cupcakes. This one sounds fantastic and I love the color.
Beth Pierce says
I am a pumpkin person! It’s one of the reasons why I love fall and I am definitely trying your recipe
Dana says
This looks so delicious and the recipe looks great! I love pumpkin desserts this time of year. This will be my go-to recipe!
Gervin Khan says
These cupcakes look really delicious, and I am sure my kids will love this. Yum!
Shanna says
These cupcakes look so cute and tasty. I am not a great baker but could see myself requesting my mom to make these for a good fall treat.
Patricia says
These look amazing and perfect for the season! They remind me of a pumpkin roll cake but oh-so-easy to make!
Wanda Lopez says
You are making me want to go into the kitchen and start baking.
Danielle says
These look so yummy. Would be perfect for Thanksgiving.
Sharon says
These pumpkin cupcakes are a delicious fall treat! I love the cream cheese frosting on them.
Sol says
I love anything with cream cheese! I bet this pumpkin cupcakes are so yummy!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN says
I really love cream cheese frosting. I must try it with the pumpkin cupcakes.
Rachel says
Pumpkin and cream cheese frosting is a match made in heaven. Love the recipe.
vidya says
sounds like such a delish combo.. will definitely try it out
Portia says
The pumpkin lover I know would probably enjoy this.
ChaRasing says
I am a big fan of cream cheese frosting so everything goes with it would seem perfect. Thanks for the recipe.
Catalina says
Mmmmm…. I am drooling over these cupcakes! They look amazing!
Everything Enchanting says
I love pumpkin ❤️ These cupcakes look so yummy😍 I’ll have to give this recipe a try!
Lynndee says
Those pumpkin cupcakes look so good. Please send some my way. 🙂
Swathi says
Pumpkin cupcakes looks delicious. Love cream cheese frosting. Perfect fall cupcakes any day.