YES, only two ingredients for these easy Cake Mix Pumpkin Muffins! Or, add two additional components to copycat Starbucks pumpkin cream cheese muffins.
This post is all about how to make two-ingredient Cake Mix Pumpkin Muffins.
Time crunch or not, this is the ONLY pumpkin muffin recipe you’ll ever need! Yes, they’re easy (a 5-minute prep) and only require two ingredients. But they’re also incredibly DELICIOUS, and your home will smell like sweet Fall spices.
What’s great about this cake mix muffin recipe is that it comes with options. If you’d like to stick with two ingredients, you’ll need a box of spice cake mix and a can of pure pumpkin. Be prepared for friends and family to ask for the recipe. However, it’s totally up to you whether you want to give away your two secret components.
If you prefer buttery pecans or semi-sweet chocolate chips, add both (or one) to the pumpkin batter. If you’re interested in making copycat Starbucks cream cheese pumpkin muffins, you’ll need eight ounces of cream cheese and a cup of powdered sugar.
I LOVE the cream cheese addition in the middle of the muffin and often opt for that version. But sometimes, I enjoy the taste of a simple pumpkin muffin with all of its warm spices.
Whatever method you choose, it’s still so EASY and insanely delicious! And who says you can’t make more than one kind of batch? Let’s dive into all of the recipe details below.
Cake Mix Pumpkin Muffins
Do I Need A Can Of Pure Pumpkin Or Pumpkin Pie Filling?
It’s CRUCIAL you purchase a can of pure pumpkin and NOT pumpkin pie filling. The cake mix already has sugars and spices, so you only need a 15-ounce can of PURE pumpkin. The muffins will taste too sweet if you use a can of pumpkin pie filling.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Spice Cake Mix, 15.25 ounces.
- One Can Of Pure Pumpkin, 15 ounces.
Cake Mix Alternative Tip:
When I went to the store, they were out of spice cake mix, so I purchased a box of yellow cake mix and doctored it with spices. I added:
- one teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- one teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- one teaspoon of ground cloves
- Or omit those three and add one tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice.
Optional Mix-In Ingredients:
Whether you’re adding both or one mix-in to the batter, use about 2/3 cup. Feel free to top each warm muffin with extra chopped pecans and chocolate chips.
- Pecans, chopped.
Optional Cream Cheese Pumpkin Muffins (3 Ingredients):
You’ll need two more ingredients to make Starbucks copycat cream cheese muffins. Once the muffins finished baking, I sprinkled cinnamon sugar on top.
- Cream Cheese, 8-ounce log.
- Powdered Sugar, 1 cup.
- Cinnamon Sugar, Optional topping sprinkle.
Equipment Needed For Spice Cake Mix Pumpkin Muffins:
- Oven
How To Make 2-Ingredient Cake Mix Pumpkin Muffins, Step-By-Step
*If you prefer to make copycat Starbucks cream cheese pumpkin muffins, skip to the following “how to” recipe.
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2: Add a box of cake mix and a can of pure pumpkin to a mixing bowl. Mix ingredients thoroughly. The dough will be sticky and thick.
**If using a box of yellow cake mix, add the spices to the batter at this time and mix.**
Step 3: Add (OPTIONAL) chopped pecans and/or chocolate chips to the pumpkin muffin batter and mix. Skip this step if you don’t want to add OPTIONAL ingredients.
Step 4: Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners. Fill each one 3/4 full with the pumpkin batter.
Step 5: Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Step 6: After baking the muffins, add extra (OPTIONAL) chocolate chips and/or nuts on top of each warm muffin.
**Enjoy these Cake Mix Pumpkin Muffins right away!**
How To Make Cream Cheese Pumpkin Muffins, Step-By-Step
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2: Add an eight-ounce block of cream cheese and one cup of powdered sugar to a mixing bowl. Mix ingredients thoroughly until creamy and smooth. Set this cream cheese mixture in the refrigerator until you make the pumpkin muffin batter.
Step 3: Add a box of cake mix and a can of pure pumpkin to a mixing bowl. Mix ingredients thoroughly. The dough will be sticky and thick.
**If using a box of yellow cake mix, add the spices to the batter at this time and mix.**
Step 4: Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners. Fill each one 1/2 way full with the pumpkin batter. Next, add one tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture to each one in the middle.
Step 5: Add another dab of pumpkin batter to cover the cream cheese. The muffin cup should be full. But don’t worry, they won’t overflow when baking. (I smoothed and swirled the tops of each unbaked muffin with my fingertip.)
Step 6: Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Step 7: Sprinkle (OPTIONAL) cinnamon sugar on the tops of each warm muffin.
**Enjoy these muffins fresh out of the oven!**
FAQs & Tips For Easy Cake Mix Pumpkin Muffins
What Should I Serve With This Pumpkin Spice Muffin Recipe?
Serve these muffins for breakfast with a fruit salad or a side of bacon. The plain pumpkin muffins taste great with fried chicken or a slow cooker meal for dinner.
How Should I Store Homemade Pumpkin Muffins?
Please keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or in the fridge for up to a week. If you make the cream cheese muffins store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator (because they contain dairy) for up to one week.
Can I Freeze These Spice Cake Mix Pumpkin Muffins?
Yes! Please place them in an airtight/freezer-safe container and store them in the freezer for up to three months.
Can I Use Homemade Pumpkin Puree Instead Of Canned Pumpkin?
Of course! You’ll need about one cup and 3/4 cup to equal a 15-ounce can of pumpkin puree.
How Can I Turn These Into Pumpkin Cupcakes?
Easy! Slather some cream cheese frosting on top of each one, and you’ll be enjoying pumpkin cupcakes in no time.
What Does Pumpkin Puree Replace In Baking?
Every recipe is different so do your research beforehand, but the pumpkin puree replaces eggs and butter for this particular recipe.
Can I Make Chocolate Cake Mix Pumpkin Muffins?
Yes! Just buy a chocolate cake mix instead of the spice cake flavor. You can add in the spices if you wish.
Are Pumpkin Muffins Healthy?
Pumpkin puree is healthy, but a box of cake mix, not so much. Remember, eat everything in moderation!
How Do You Make The Best 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins?
I think adding a third ingredient to this recipe is an excellent idea! Buttery pecans always compliment the pumpkin spice flavor so deliciously.
2-Ingredient Cake Mix Pumpkin Muffins
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
- Spatula
- Oven
- 12-Cup Muffin Pan
- Cupcake Liners
Ingredients
Ingredients You'll Need For 2-Ingredient Cake Mix Pumpkin Muffins
- 1 Box of Spice Cake Mix, 15.25 ounces.
- 1 Can of Pure Pumpkin, 15 ounces.
- Cake Mix Substitution Tip – You can purchase a box of yellow cake mix and add one teaspoon of ground cinnamon, one teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and one teaspoon of ground cloves. Or just add one tablespoon of the pumpkin pie spice.
Optional Mix-In Ingredients
- 2/3 cup Pecans, chopped.
- 2/3 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Optional (3 Ingredients) For Cream Cheese Pumpkin Muffins
- 1 Cream Cheese Block, 8 ounces.
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar
- Cinnamon Sugar (Optional sprinkle to put on top of the warm muffins after they've finished baking.)
Instructions
How To Make 2-Ingredient Cake Mix Pumpkin Muffins (with optional mix-ins)
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- **If using a box of yellow cake mix, add the spices to the batter at this time and mix.**
- Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners. Fill each one 3/4 full with the pumpkin batter.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees F.
- After baking the muffins, add extra (OPTIONAL) chocolate chips and/or nuts on top of each warm muffin.
How To Make Cream Cheese Pumpkin Muffins
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- **If using a box of yellow cake mix, add the spices to the batter at this time and mix.**
- Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Nutrition
Final Thoughts On Cake Mix Pumpkin Muffins
There’s no reason not to make these easy, 2-ingredient pumpkin muffins! They’re delicious and come with many optional mix-ins, and of course, the Starbucks cream cheese copycat version is my favorite. Whichever you choose, you won’t be disappointed!
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