• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Carefree Kitchen
  • Home
  • Recipe Box
    • All Recipes
    • Appetizers
      • Cheese
      • Dips
    • Breakfast
      • Quick Bread Recipe
      • Breakfast Casseroles
      • Eggs
      • French Toast
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Main Dish
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Pasta
      • Pizza
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Turkey
    • Sides
      • Potatoes
      • Rice
      • Veggies
    • Desserts
      • Bars
      • Cakes
      • Cookies
      • No Bake
    • Breads
    • Sauces & Condiments
    • Drinks
    • Einkorn Flour
  • Videos
  • Gift Guide 2020
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Box
  • Videos
  • Gift Guide 2020
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Breakfast » Easy Pumpkin Muffins With Cake Mix

    Easy Pumpkin Muffins With Cake Mix

    Published: October 20, 2021 · Jill Baird · 2 Comments

    best pumpkin muffin recipe

    Sharing is caring!

    39 shares
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe

    These Easy Pumpkin Muffins are a quick and delicious way to enjoy the flavors of the fall season.  They’re super moist, full of yummy pumpkin flavor and topped with a crunchy brown sugar streusel.

    Jump to:
    • Easy Pumpkin Muffins
    • Ingredients in Spice Cake Pumpkin Muffins
    • How to Make Easy Pumpkin Muffins
    • Recipe Variations
    • Storing and Freezing
    • Easy Pumpkin Muffins Recipe

    Easy Pumpkin Muffins

    When we say easy, we mean 4-ingredients easy.  This Easy Pumpkin Muffins Recipe is made by tossing a can of pumpkin puree into a box of spice cake mix and a couple of eggs and melted butter.  The flavors are perfect, the muffins bake up super moist and you don’t even need a mixer or measuring cups to make the batter.

    The concept isn’t completely new - you will find some 2 ingredient pumpkin muffins that literally just use a box of cake mix and a can of pumpkin puree.  But, we’re going for yummy instead of healthy here.  These little guys are even topped off with a buttery brown sugar and pumpkin spice streusel.  They’re so good, and so easy, you’ll be making these for every school fundraiser, Halloween party, and cool fall weekend.

    See below for other variations and ways to hack a box of cake mix and a can of pumpkin puree, and let us know what you loved.

    pumpkin muffins with cake mix cooling on a wire rack, Pumpkin muffins with spice cake mix.

    Ingredients in Spice Cake Pumpkin Muffins

    • Pumpkin Puree: the easiest route to go is to buy unsweetened canned pumpkin puree.  You can also make your own Homemade Pumpkin Puree using small pie pumpkins or sugar pumpkins.
    • Eggs: any type of large eggs will work.
    • Butter: use unsalted butter for this recipe.  You can also substitute vegetable oil, or even half vegetable oil and half applesauce if you want something with a little less fat.
    • Cake Mix: try and find a Spice Cake Mix as it already has a great blend of pumpkin pie spices in it (both Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines have versions).

    Streusel Topping:

    • Butter: use cold, cubed butter to make this streusel.
    • Brown Sugar: you can use either light or dark brown sugar.
    • Flour: all-purpose flour works great.
    • Pumpkin Pie Spice: you should be able to find pumpkin pie spice mix in the spice section at the grocery store.
    A photo from the top of a muffin pan filled with pumpkin muffin batter. best pumpkin muffin recipe.

    How to Make Easy Pumpkin Muffins

    1. Make the batter.  In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, eggs, and melted butter.  Whisk together until smooth. Add in spice cake mix. Mix until combined. 
    2. Scoop into muffin pans.  Grease or line 24 muffin tins with paper liners.  Using an ice cream scoop or a spoon, scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tins, filling them about ¾ of the way full.
    3. Make the streusel topping.  In a large bowl, combine cold cubed butter, brown sugar, flour and pumpkin spice.  Stir with a spatula, wooden spoon or even your hands, mixing until a crumble forms, then sprinkle about 1 tablespoon onto each muffin.
    4. Bake.  Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20-22 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 
    5. Cool and serve.  Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before removing the muffins from the muffin tin and cooling completely at room temperature.  Enjoy!
    Muffin tins full of batter with streusel being spooned over the top, easy pumpkin muffin recipe.

    Recipe Variations

    • Pumpkin Cupcakes: treat these like cupcakes and top with cream cheese frosting.
    • Pumpkin Bread: bake this recipe in two 8”x4” loaf pans.  The bake time will increase, so keep an eye on it and check the doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the loaf.  If it comes out clean, your bread is baked.
    • Gluten-Free Pumpkin Muffins: try using a gluten-free spice cake mix to make your muffins gluten-free.  You could even substitute gluten-free flour in the streusel if you still want a crunchy topping.
    • Add-ins: try adding chopped pecans or walnuts, chocolate chips, or even dried fruit to the pumpkin muffin batter before baking.
    • Mini Muffins: bake the batter in mini muffin pans for a baby shower, dessert buffet, or snack for the kiddos.
    Baked pumpkin cake mix muffins cooling on a wire rack, pumpkin muffins from cake mix.

    Storing and Freezing

    • Refrigerator: store your leftover Easy Pumpkin Muffins in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.  We recommend bringing them to room temperature before eating.
    • Freezer: these freeze great for up to 2 months.  Store in an airtight container or freezer bags and thaw out in the fridge overnight or on the counter top for a few hours.
    Print

    Easy Pumpkin Muffins Recipe

    These Easy Pumpkin Muffins are a quick and delicious way to enjoy the flavors of the fall season.  They’re super moist, full of yummy pumpkin flavor and topped with a crunchy brown sugar streusel.
    Course Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes
    Total Time 35 minutes
    Servings 24 muffins
    Calories 171kcal
    Author The Carefree Kitchen

    Ingredients

    Easy Pumpkin Muffins

    • 1 15-oz can Pumpkin Puree unsweetened
    • 2 large Eggs
    • ½ cup Butter melted and cooled
    • 1 15.25-oz box Spice Cake Mix

    Streusel Topping

    • 6 Tablespoons Butter cold and cut into small cubes
    • ½ cup Brown Sugar
    • 1 cup Flour
    • 1 Tablespoon Pumpkin Pie Spice

    Instructions

    Easy Pumpkin Muffins

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
    • Grease or line 24 muffin tins with paper liners and set aside.
    • In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, eggs, and melted butter. Whisk together until smooth. Add in spice cake mix. Mix until combined.
    • Using an ice cream scoop or a spoon, scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tins, filling them about ¾ of the way full.

    Streusel Topping

    • In a large bowl, combine cold cubed butter, brown sugar, flour and pumpkin spice. Stir with a spatula, wooden spoon or even your hands, mixing until a crumble forms. Set aside.

    Baking

    • Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of streusel topping onto each muffin.
    • Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 
    • Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before removing the muffins from the muffin tin and cooling completely at room temperature. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 118mg | Potassium: 57mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 194IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

    Here are more of our favorite pumpkin recipes for you to try:

    • Pumpkin Spice Syrup
    • Pumpkin Pie
    • Best Pumpkin Bread
    • Pumpkin Rice Pudding
    • Pumpkin French Toast
    • Pumpkin Cheesecake
    • Einkorn Pumpkin Muffins
    • More Fall Recipes
    • More Breakfast Recipes
    • More Quick Breads

    If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment on this post. I love hearing feedback from you helps me and other readers too! If you love Pinterest,  feel free to leave a comment and photo there too.  Also, if you like to share, use the hashtag #thecarefreekitchen on Instagram and tag me @thecarefreekitchen so I can find you and give your post some love. You can also find me on Facebook at The Carefree Kitchen. Thank you!!

    pinterest pin for pumpkin muffin

    These Easy Pumpkin Muffins are super moist, full of yummy pumpkin flavor and are topped off with a crunchy brown sugar streusel. They're so easy you don't even need a mixer or measuring cups.

    « Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodle Cookies
    Pumpkin Muffins with Cheesecake Swirl »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Katie

      October 21, 2021 at 3:07 pm

      These are my favorite thing to make during the fall! They're always the best texture and the perfect amount of pumpkin flavor.

      Reply
    2. Nellie Tracy

      October 21, 2021 at 1:13 pm

      Great recipe, perfect for fall!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! I'm Jill.

    I love sharing my love of food with you and helping you find easy solutions for all of your family's meals and delicious treats.

    Learn More

    Let's Be Friends!

    • Facebook
    • Instragram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Most Popular Posts

    • Lemon Pepper Rotisserie Chicken 
    • Cheesy Bean Dip
    • Ramen Cabbage Salad
    • Classic Parker House Rolls
    • Easy Taco Soup Recipe
    • Carne Asada
    • Air Fryer Squash
    • Chipotle Chicken Burrito {How to Make a Chipotle Burrito at Home}

    Explore More Recipes

    Footer

    About The Carefree Kitchen

    The Carefree Kitchen is where I get to share my love of food with you! Every recipe is tested and approved by my family and friends. These recipes are easy to prepare, nutritious, and delicious!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Copyright © 2023 · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer • Terms and Conditions

    39 shares