Easy Pumpkin Muffins From Cake Mix
This post may contain affiliate links which won't change your price but will share some commission.These easy pumpkin muffins are made from a cake mix, canned pumpkin and spices. Easy to make at home and can be frozen for later.
There’s just something about a slight chill in the air that encourages baking and filling the house with the smells of autumn.
Maybe it’s the joy I get from wearing sweaters and jeans after a long summer.
I’m not really sure but this is the time for all things baking! With 5 ingredients (no eggs or vegetable oil needed!) this easy pumpkin muffin recipe sure fit the bill for simple and delicious!
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Cake Mix Muffins Recipe
If you need easy because life is chaotic or you want to spend time with your kids in the kitchen, I’ve got you covered!
These easy pumpkin muffins are made with a box cake mix, but I promise no one can tell! Already you’ve bypassed a bunch of measuring and a bunch of prep time. Win win!
I love to cook from scratch but life sure can get busy and we all need to have a few shortcuts up our sleeves.
This is a perfect recipe with delicious flavors to entice the kids to bake with you. Time in the kitchen + yummy goodness = love!
Now let me just admit these pumpkin cake muffins aren’t pretty. ~lol~ But I promise you they’ll be gone in a jiffy because they’re a moist treat for any time of the day!
Is pumpkin pie filling and canned pumpkin the same?
Use pie filling or pie mix only if you’re making a dish and don’t want to add your own sweetener or spice. For most other recipes, it’s hard to go wrong with the pure canned pumpkin. Since this recipe uses a cake mix stay with canned pumpkin!
Pumpkin Muffin Ingredients
- pkg yellow cake mix
- can pumpkin
- tsp ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg
- ground cloves
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Pumpkin Muffins
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use cooking spray to grease a 12 cup muffin pan or line with paper liners.
Pour cake mix into a large mixing bowl.
Add canned pumpkin to dry mixture.
Add one teaspoon ground cinnamon to dry ingredients.
Stir in nutmeg and cloves.
Mix ingredients until smooth. If you don’t want to drag out your electric mixer (I just used a hand held one) a whisk will do the job with a little elbow grease!
Use cookie scoop to spoon equal amounts of batter into the prepared muffin tins or muffin liners. If you love all things sweet you could always sprinkle a touch of sugar on the top before baking.
Cooking time is 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of one comes out clean. Let cool on a wire rack until room temperature.
Substitutions
Using a yellow cake mix is my favorite way to make this recipe but you could try other types such as a spiced cake mix or maybe even carrot cake! (If you try it let me know how you like it!)
You can also substitute 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice for the nutmeg and cloves or even add a smidgen of ginger..
Depending on how adventurous you are you could also try adding raisins, cranberries, walnuts, pecans, chocolate chips or maybe even butter or cream cheese frosting for the top!
Can I refrigerate or freeze these pumpkin muffins?
Pumpkin muffins don’t need to be refrigerated but you can if desired. Otherwise put in an airtight container or in the freezer. These are perfect to tuck in a lunch box or send to work with a loved one.
Pumpkin Muffins Printable Recipe & Video
Easy Pumpkin Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 18.25 oz pkg yellow cake mix
- 1 15 oz can pumpkin
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 12 cup muffin pan or line with paper liners.
- In a large bowl mix together the cake mix, canned pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves until smooth.
- Spoon equal amounts of batter into the prepared muffin cups.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of one comes out clean.
Video
Notes
Don’t you just want to curl up with a warm blanket and savor these moments before winter is upon us?
Me, too. So come over and set a spell, ‘ya hear?
🎃 More Pumpkin Recipes!
- Cranberry Pumpkin Quick Bread
- Pumpkin Spice Muffins with Streusel Topping
- Turtle Pumpkin Pie
- Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Icing
And if you want more recipes with canned pumpkin check out these 58 easy recipes from Real Simple!
I’ve done these before and they are so easy. I had forgot I had a recipe on my blog for this too.
That’s so funny, Rosemary! Those of us blogging forever have so much content!
These look amazing. I love Fall aromas too. I made an apple crisp the other day and the house smelled delicious.
Fall is my favorite! It pleases all my senses!
Those look delish! Canned pumpkin is going on the shopping list!
I pick up extra during the season, Sara! Enjoy the recipe!
Your pumpkin muffins sound amazing and so easy too.
They’re not the prettiest muffin but they are delicious!
These look delicious. Laura
Thanks so much, Laura!
These have me ready for cooler fall temps!
Can you use pumpkin muffin mix? Instead of cake mix?
Hi, Stephanie. I don’t see why you couldn’t just add the extra ingredients to a pumpkin muffin mix. There might even be a recipe on the box. Let me know if you try it!
Hi Marty, I have made these muffins many times. Sometimes I use spice cake mix and sometimes I use the same recipe that you use. I also add cinnamon chips to mine. They are delicious. Thanks for posting.
You can also use the spice cake mix and leave the additional spices out.
Hi, Jeanie. I’ve done that before as well. So yummy!
Hi, May. My family loves these easy pumpkin muffins and I hope you do, too! Sometimes you just need a shortcut! Have a great fall season!
I tried this recipe on a loaf pan because I could not find the muffin pans. I only added 1/4 cup water (because mix seemed a bit thick) and tiny bit of olive oil. Cake turned out moist. I ate 1/3 of it after baking it today, so the recipe works.
Hi, Dina. Thanks for letting me know the muffins turned out well in a loaf pan. That’s definitely something I need to try. I’m guessing you liked it since you 1/3 of it! I can just taste it with melted butter on it right now! Have a wonderful holiday season!
I had leftover pumpkin from after making some pumpkin granola and so I was trying to find a way to use up the leftover pumpkin. Oh my goodness! I am so glad I stumbled upon this. I just made it, and the muffins turned out so yummy! I did add chocolate chips to mine, but I think they would be just as delicious without chocolate chips. I bookmarked this one!
Hi, Kristin. I’m going to have to try chocolate chips in my pumpkin muffins because I’ve had other folks tell me it was great as well. You can’t go wrong with chocolate!
Can you bake this in a loaf pan? I’m thinking standard size not minis.
I think that would be fine in a loaf pan but you would need to adjust the bake time and add a bit more time. I would just check every few minutes and test the inside for doneness. You could also put tinfoil over the top if it gets browned faster than the inside cooks. Let me know if you try it!
Can you use the prepared pie filling instead and not use the spices?
Hi, there. I’m really not sure about the pie filling. I’m thinking it might make the muffin dough too runny. I really don’t know. If you try it let me know!
The prepared pie filling already has sugar in it. Since the cake mix also has sugar in it, using prepared pie filling instead of canned pumpkin, will at the very least make these muffins very sweet.
I just baked the pumpkin muffins and they tasted absolutely delicious! I cooked them 7-8 minutes longer and they still came out a bit undercooked. I plan to try again without the paper liners in hopes they will cook better. Either way they are easy and taste great! 🙂
Hi, Amanda. The time may vary with whether you used a dark or light muffin pan and on your oven so cook them until you’re happy! I usually use paper just because it’s easier cleanup. Thanks for commenting!
The pumpkin muffins turned out grest.just wanted to know if they go in the fridge when cooled off
Hi, Leann. I don’t refrigerate the muffins but put them in a lidded container. Enjoy!
Hello! i was wondering if you use the ingredients on the cake box as well? Like eggs, etc.?
Hi, Michaela. You do not add the extra box mix ingredients, just the ones listed here. Enjoy!
Oh my goodness, these all sound so good and easy. Perfect. I have saved them all. Thanks so much for linking to the Holiday Baking Party. Hugs, marty
Pumpkin muffins made with a cake mix. YUM! I have to try that – mine are usually way flat. Yours are beautiful!
Thank you so much, Holly. These muffins are terrific and easy is the key word! Have a great weekend!
I really want to try these. Wonder what a spice cake would be like instead of yellow ?
Hi, Amelia. I think a spice cake would be amazing! Go for it!
I topped this with a drizzle of sweetened condense milk after taking it out of the oven. Really good!!!
Hi, Catie. What a great idea to add sweetened condensed milk! Thanks for sharing!
I was wondering how you got all of your “sites” (pinterest, instagram, bloglovin’ etc.) at the bottom of each post. If you could help point me in the right direction that would be awesome! I just found your blog today and I LOVE it. I love finding new recipes to try and your blog provides just that. I have already suscribed on blog lovin’ and can’t wait to see what’s in store!!
So easy and yummy!