These pumpkin muffins only require 2 ingredients and about 5 minutes of prep!
Yes, you read that right. Two ingredients — no eggs, no oil, and no butter — and about 5 minutes of prep! These easy Pumpkin Muffins are made with a box of cake mix and a can of pumpkin for a lighter way to satisfy your pumpkin spice cravings!
I definitely cannot take credit for this easy pumpkin muffin recipe, since it seems to be a fairly well-known way of “hacking” a boxed cake mix. That said, I’m still excited about these sweet, tasty treats that my boys have been enjoying since they were toddlers!
The healthy pumpkin muffins are a perfect breakfast or snack for kids (or for adults), since they taste great and still manage to sneak in some extra veggies. Keep these two ingredients on hand, because you never know when a baking — or muffin — mood will strike!
HOW TO MAKE PUMPKIN MUFFINS WITH A CAKE MIX
As we’ve already covered, you only need TWO ingredients: a box of spice cake mix and a can of pumpkin.
Just combine the dry cake mix with the pumpkin puree. Do NOT add any other ingredients called for on the box!
I like to fold the batter together with a spatula first, and then I use an electric mixer to make sure that it’s fluffy and completely combined. You can do this all by hand — it just takes a bit longer.
That batter is thick!
The standard-size muffins bake at 375 degrees F for about 18 minutes. If you’re making mini muffins, you will need to decrease the baking time to about 8-10 minutes.
Grab a girlfriend and a hot cup of coffee, or tuck a muffin in your kiddo’s lunchbox for a busy school day. These easy pumpkin muffins are a lighter way to celebrate the best season of the year!
COOK’S TIPS:
- This is really just a method, which can be tailored any number of ways to suit your family’s tastes. My kids love the pumpkin spice flavor that you get with a spice cake mix, but you can also use a yellow cake mix or a chocolate cake mix instead.
- Want to make pumpkin mini muffins? Use the same instructions, but bake the batter in a mini muffin tin for about 8-10 minutes.
- Want to make cupcakes? Just dollop these pumpkin spice muffins with a bit of cream cheese frosting, or cover chocolate pumpkin muffins with chocolate frosting. The combinations are endless!
- Be sure to spray your muffin tin with cooking spray or line with paper cups. If using the paper cups, I suggest giving the paper cups a little spritz with nonstick spray as well. Otherwise, these muffins may stick since they don’t have fat in them.
- Freeze the extras! These two ingredient pumpkin muffins keep really well in the freezer, so stash some away for easy breakfasts or snacks throughout the fall. You can thaw them in the microwave or leave them to sit on the counter for an hour or so.
Love pumpkin recipes as much as we do? Try these favorites, too:
- Pumpkin Spice Smoothie
- Healthy Pumpkin Muffins with Applesauce
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Granola
- Healthy and Easy Pumpkin Soup
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili
Two Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins
These pumpkin muffins only require 2 ingredients and about 5 minutes of prep!
Ingredients
- 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin (just plain pumpkin -- NOT the canned pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 (15.25 ounce) box spice cake mix
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
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Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray or line with baking cups. If using paper liners, I suggest that you give the paper liners a little spritz of nonstick spray as well, just to prevent any sticking.
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In a large bowl, use a spatula to fold together pumpkin and dry cake mix. Then I like to use an electric mixer to make sure that the batter is fluffy and completely combined. It will be thick!
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Use a scoop to fill prepared muffin tins with batter.
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Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for about 5 minutes and then remove muffins to a wire rack to finish cooling.
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These freeze really well, so store in an airtight container or a zip-top bag in the freezer and just thaw as necessary.
Recipe Notes
This recipe yields approximately 13 standard-size muffins OR approximately 30 mini muffins.
COOK'S TIPS:
- This is really just a method, which can be tailored any number of ways to suit your family’s tastes. My kids love the pumpkin spice flavor that you get with a spice cake mix, but you can also use a yellow cake mix or a chocolate cake mix instead.
- Want to make pumpkin mini muffins? Use the same instructions, but bake the batter in a mini muffin tin for about 8-10 minutes.
- Want to make cupcakes? Just dollop these pumpkin spice muffins with a bit of cream cheese frosting, or cover chocolate muffins with chocolate frosting. The combinations are endless!
- Be sure to spray your muffin tin with cooking spray or line with paper cups. If using the paper cups, I suggest giving the paper cups a little spritz with nonstick spray as well. Otherwise, these muffins may stick since they don't have fat in them.
- Freeze the extras! These two ingredient pumpkin muffins keep really well in the freezer, so stash some away for easy breakfasts or snacks throughout the fall. You can thaw them in the microwave or leave them to sit on the counter for an hour or so.
This post was originally published in February, 2013. It was updated in September, 2018.
This recipe sounds delicious but I just want to make sure I’m reading it correctly. I’m a bit stumped on step three. Do I follow the cake mix instructions and make the cake batter and then mix the cake batter with the pumpkin or do I just mix the contents of the cake box in powder form with the pumpkin to form a batter? Thank you for taking the time to reply 🙂
Hi, Crystal! Thanks so much for your note! I know it sounds odd, but trust me — these turn out great! You do NOT follow any of the instructions on the box of cake mix. Instead, just mix the contents of the cake box in powder form with the pumpkin to form a batter. After a bit of folding the ingredients together with a spatula, I promise that you will end up with a batter. 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to clarify. My son is a very picky eater and I think he will love these muffins 🙂
You’re welcome, Crystal! I actually just made another batch of these this morning to send to preschool for snack time with the other kids. They’re always popular. 🙂 I will say, though — make sure that you whisk your dry cake mix powder before adding the pumpkin…that will just help to break up any big clumps of mix so that the batter is smooth throughout. Enjoy!
Finally got around to making these. Absolutely delicious and both husband and kid approved. Will be making these for my daughter’s preschool class. Thanks so much!!!
That’s awesome!! So glad that you liked them! I take them to my son’s preschool class as well and they are always a huge hit!
Just made these 2 ingredient muffins. They are so delicious I will definitely keep the makings for them on hand through the fall/winter season’s! They don’t rise very much but are super moist.
Thanks, Norma! So glad that you enjoyed them!
I just made them too! They’re wonderful!
I must confess, I was concerned about them perhaps not rising enough, ( as another person had observed, so, I DID add one egg. They rose, were light AND Moist!
I also made a homemade light, cream cheese frosting. They are PERFECT!
Crystal, only use the box of cake mix and the can of pumpkin, no other ingredients. These are delicious and super easy. I make them every year during the fall season. I am getting ready to make them and decided to see if any of this particular recipes had a suggestion of adding chopped pecans.. I feel reasonably sure it would be ok. My skepticism is to keep the pecans from sinking to the bottom of the muffins, I would normally shake the pecan pieces in a very small amount of flour and sift out the flour for a slight coating to prevent them from going to the bottom of the muffins. My only fear is the tiny amount to flour making the muffins a little dry.
Hi, Jackie! I think the pecans would be delicious. If you chop the pecans pretty small, I bet they won’t sink to the bottom. Also, if you decide to use the traditional flour method, I bet the muffins would be okay. Let me know how they turn out! 🙂
Can you use carrot cake mix instead of spice cake
Yes! Any cake mix will work, Jackie. It will just change the taste of the muffins. 🙂
I make this all the time with carrot cake and pumpkin. This is a good fall treat.
Sounds delicious! I’ll have to try that combo next! 🙂
If I want to make standard size muffins how long should I bake them ? How long for jumbo muffins?
Hi, Rebecca! For the standard size muffins, I would bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes. I’ve never made the jumbo muffins, but I imagine that you will just need to add a few minutes to the regular baking time. So start with 400 degrees for 23 or 24 minutes, check them, and leave them in longer if necessary. Enjoy!
I thought the temperature for a standard muffin was 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes. Has the recipe changed?
Hey, Kerry! Sorry for that confusion — she was asking about the old version of the recipe, which was mini muffins. The instructions above are for the standard size muffins (18-20 minutes at 375). The post was just updated since her old comment! 🙂
Got it, thanks!
I made six jumbo muffins. I baked them at 350 for 35 minutes. I kept using a toothpick to see when they were done.
Thanks, Jim!
Can I use a bundt pan for these and what oven temp and time?
Hi, Vikki! I honestly don’t know, since I haven’t tested the recipe in a bundt pan. In general, I would go with a standard cake mix instruction. So, I would try baking the bundt cake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes – 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Enjoy!
Do you think this recipe would work to make little Whoopi pies?(2″)
Hi, Lillian! Yes, I think it would probably work. They would be like little muffin tops! 🙂 Let me know if you give it a shot!
This isn’t 2 ingredients. Boxed Cake Mix has your basic dry ingredients in the box like flour, baking powder/soda, salt, sugar, etc…
I think it just implies you NEED 2 INGREDIENTS, (1)A CAKE MIX AND (2)A CAN OF PUMPKIN. Clearly that’s what she means. If I say just add butter, I’m not saying all the ingredients in butter.
These were delicious! Thanks so much for this easy recipe. I experimented a bit and added some chopped up pecans and that was delicious as well. I now have an easy, quick go to last minute healthier treat when my grandsons pop in.
Thanks, Linda! I’m so glad that you like them. The pecans sounds like a delicious addition!
You only need 2 things to make the muffins!
These are so easy to make and delicious! New mid morning go to.
Yay! Thanks, Jaymee!
Can i use any other can of filling like cherry?
Hi, Megan! I honestly don’t know. I’ve never tried it with cherry pie filling. It might work with a yellow cake mix, though! Just make sure that you’re using about 15 ounces — often the pie fillings come in larger size cans, so you wouldn’t need all of it. Let me know if you give it a shot!
Can I use sweet potato puree?
You could also have a bowl of cinnamon and sugar ready so that when they come out of the oven you can roll them in the mixture. I bet that would be fantastic! & now I’m going to have to try it lol
That sounds amazing, Shasta!!! Dip them in melted butter and then roll in the cinnamon sugar! 🙂
I make these often and add brown sugar to the top before baking. No butter, I just kind of pat the brown sugar in to the muffin tops and then bake. They are a big hit wherever I take them. ????
I just love how simple they are!
I love that idea, Lindsay! Thank you! 🙂
What would the oven temp.and minutes be for cupcake tin?
Hi, Tami! That’s what I’ve used here — a cupcake tin is the same as a muffin tin, so the cooking time and temp will be the same. Enjoy!
Thank you Blair
Do you think this recipe would work to make little Whoopi pies?(2″)
Do they need to be stored in the refrigerator? If so how long will they last in the refrigerator?
Can they be stored at room temperature? If so, how long will they last?
Hi, Rhonda! No, they do not need to be refrigerated. The muffins will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2-4 days. To keep them longer, store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
I have been making them for years. I add raisins and pecans. They are delicious.
Perfect additions! Thank you!
I have made these several times & add chocolate chips to the mix….the kids love them!
YUM! Love that combo, Crystal! Thank you! 🙂
These are easy and delicious!! If I were to make a loaf how long would you suggest baking and at what temp? Thanks.!
Hi, Lisa! I typically bake my pumpkin bread at 350 degrees F for 45-55 minutes (but add extra time if you’re using a light or ceramic pan). It’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
You will likely have more batter than you need for 1 loaf of pumpkin bread, so you might have two loaves, or 1 loaf and some muffins. I’ve never tried using this particular recipe for pumpkin bread, so I don’t know exactly how much you’ll get out of one box. Enjoy! 🙂
I just made these and found that they take longer to bake than the recipe calls for. – I baked a bath at 350 degrees for 13 minutes and another at 375 for 10 minutes but the middle of the muffins seem to be a bit too soft – or is it that they are just moist?
They’re definitely moist, but you want them cooked through all of the way in the center. Depending on the type of muffin tins, the temp of your oven, whether or not you use silicone liners, etc. the baking time may vary. Just use a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffin to know when they’re done. The toothpick should come out clean. 🙂
I’ve made these many times in the past and I LOVE them. I’m wondering if I could add some of my protein powder to these as well? Any insights on how to go about doing that?
Hi, Ellie! I’m so glad that you like the muffins! I’ve never experimented with adding protein powder, so I have no idea how it would impact the taste and texture of the muffins. I would just start adding it really slowly. For instance, add 2 tablespoons or 1/4 cup and see how it works. If you’re pleased with the result and you want to add more the next time, you can gradually step it up. They will be a bit drier the more that you add, so I wouldn’t go crazy with it. 🙂
I added around a 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt. It adds protein and a little moistness. I may add more next time I’ll let you know how it turns out.
So should I add an egg for moisture?
Hi, Stacy! No, I’ve never added eggs and these muffins stay really moist (thanks to the pumpkin). 🙂 Of course, if you want to add an egg, it won’t hurt. In addition to their nutritional value, eggs can provide structure, leavening, richness, color, and flavor to baked products — they just won’t make the muffins more moist.
I love these I do bake mine on 350 for 18 mins and I always add dark chocolate chips I always add 2 eggs even tho I don’t need to. They are super moist and have become a hit for girls coffee get together. Thanks for a great idea
Sounds perfect! Thanks, Barbara!
Can I use sweet potato puree?
Hi, Kelly! I haven’t tried it with the sweet potatoes, but I would think that should work fine — as long as the sweet potato puree has a similar consistency to the canned pumpkin. I wouldn’t use a really thin and runny sweet potato puree like baby food — you want something a bit thicker. Enjoy!
why cant you use pumpkin pie mix?
I think that the pie mix would technically “work,” but the pie mix is very sweet and includes spices in it. Since the cake mix is already really sweet and has spices in it, you’d basically be making the muffins twice as sweet and spicy. Hope that makes sense!
First of all, thank you for all of your wonderful recipes. Always look forward to your email each Sunday. I had a problem with my muffins and hope you can help to solve. Went by directions and added a few chopped walnuts. The problem is that they came out very gummy. The toothpick came out clean when tested. I baked again for fifteen more minutes and still a little gummy. What did I do wrong? I have an oven thermometer and it checked out at 375*. Thank you.
Hi, Jane! Thanks for your kind note! The muffins may have a slightly more gummy texture than a traditional muffin because you’re not adding a fat like butter or oil. It’s similar to when you use applesauce to replace the fat in a baking recipe — it ends up with a slightly different texture. That said, they shouldn’t be too gummy or odd in taste/texture. I’m wondering if maybe they were over-mixed? Sometimes mixing batter too much can result in a dense muffin. Also, did you use Libby’s brand pumpkin puree? That’s the only brand that I ever use, but I’ve heard that alternative brands (like store brands or generics) may have more water in them, which can alter the texture of your baked goods. A muffin batter that’s too wet will definitely taste more gummy when it’s baked. Other than that, I can’t think of what the problem might be. Again, thanks for your support of the blog and for reading along with us!
Thank you for your quick reply. I probably over mixed. Yes, I do use Libby’s.. They look beautiful. I ended up putting them back in the oven and baked 20 more minutes. They are better but still a little gummy. Next time, I’ll try to hold back the urge to over-mix. A problem I have. Thank you again.
Sounds good! Thanks, Jane!
Well this has to be the easiest recipe ever. & yes they are delicious. HOWEVER……what did I do wrong that they didn’t rise? Yes I used Duncan Hines Spice Cake Mix. Yes I used Libbys Pumpkin. Yes I used a blender. Yes I sprayed my muffins tins. Yes at 375 degrees. Yes for 18 minutes. Kinda frustrating. Thanks for your reply.
Hi, Jules! It sounds like you did everything “right,” so it’s really impossible for me to know what went wrong. The leavener in the cake mix should make the muffins rise, so there’s no clear explanation why they wouldn’t in your case. I’ve never tried using a blender — perhaps they were over-mixed and therefore too dense? That’s my only guess. Otherwise, maybe the cake mix wasn’t fresh and therefore the leavener wasn’t activated? Sorry I can’t offer a clear answer, but I’m glad that you thought they were delicious. 🙂
These are perfect! Thank you for sharing ❤️ glad I tested them so early in the season so I make keep making them all Fall long!
Excellent! I’m so glad that you’ve found a new favorite for the season!
I’d like to add raisins but also some oatmeal would that work?
Hi, Janet! The raisins will definitely work well. I’m not sure about the oatmeal — maybe just sprinkle some on top of the muffins before baking? I worry that adding extra dry ingredients may dry out the batter, but I haven’t tested it to know for sure. 🙂