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The Best Pumpkin Cupcakes presented with cream cheese frosting in a warm fall-inspired scene
Chef Autumn Baker

The Best Pumpkin Cupcakes for Moist, Fluffy Fall Treats

These pumpkin cupcakes are perfectly moist, fluffy, and spiced just right, making them the ultimate fall treat. Topped with a rich brown sugar cream cheese frosting, they’re sure to delight any pumpkin lover.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 38 minutes
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

  • 170 g all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice
  • 225 g dark brown sugar
  • 280 g pumpkin purée, room temperature
  • 75 g vegetable oil, room temperature
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • BROWN SUGAR CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
  • 200 g butter
  • 15 g dark brown sugar
  • 100 g full-fat cream cheese
  • 345 g powdered sugar, sifted
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a cupcake pan with liners. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin spice. In another bowl, combine the dark brown sugar, pumpkin purée, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix. Divide the batter evenly into the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack before frosting. For the frosting, beat the butter and dark brown sugar together until creamy. Add the cream cheese and vanilla extract and continue to beat until smooth. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and mix until fluffy. Once cupcakes are cool, frost them generously with the brown sugar cream cheese frosting. Serve and enjoy your moist, fluffy pumpkin cupcakes!

Notes

For homemade pumpkin purée, roast fresh pumpkin chunks until tender and blend until smooth. Store cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can adjust pumpkin spice to taste or use a pre-made blend.