Effortless Fall Baking: The Ultimate 2-Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins Recipe
Get ready for the easiest and most delightful fall treat imaginable! These incredible 2-ingredient pumpkin muffins are a game-changer, crafted with just a box of spice cake mix and a can of pure pumpkin puree. Forget complex recipes and extensive ingredient lists; this simple method delivers incredibly moist, flavorful, and perfectly spiced muffins that capture the essence of autumn in every bite.
What makes this recipe truly stand out is its minimalistic approach. You only need two core ingredients – pumpkin and a box of cake mix – eliminating the need for additional oil, eggs, or milk. Many know this classic as a low-fat, lighter option, often featured as a Weight Watchers-friendly recipe, offering a delicious way to enjoy muffins with significantly fewer calories and less fat than traditional recipes.
These versatile muffins aren’t just for pumpkin season. Whip up a batch, store them in the freezer, and you’ll have a perfect grab-and-go breakfast or a delightful afternoon snack ready to satisfy your pumpkin spice cravings anytime the mood strikes. Feel free to get creative with your favorite mix-ins, like a handful of chocolate chips for an extra treat or a burst of fresh blueberries for added tang. For an indulgent touch, you can even top them with a luscious cream cheese frosting, transforming them into decadent pumpkin cupcakes!
If you’re a devoted fan of pumpkin-flavored sweets, you’ll also adore these baked pumpkin donuts or my quick and cozy pumpkin spice mug cake. They’re all designed to bring you maximum pumpkin joy with minimal effort.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Recipe Highlights: Why You’ll Love These Muffins
- Effortlessly Easy: Seriously, these are some of the simplest muffins you’ll ever bake, perfect for busy mornings or impromptu baking sessions.
- A True Family Favorite: Deliciously moist, perfectly spiced, and incredibly easy to make, they’re a treat everyone will adore, especially as autumn leaves begin to fall.
- Just 2 Ingredients: The magic lies in just a single can of pumpkin puree and one box of dry spice cake mix. No fancy ingredients, no fuss!
- Health-Conscious Option: Made without added oil or eggs, these muffins offer a lighter alternative to traditional recipes, appealing to those looking for a guilt-free indulgence.
- Versatile & Customizable: Easily adapt them with various mix-ins or turn them into frosted cupcakes for a more celebratory dessert.
[feast_advanced_jump_to]
The Magic Behind Just Two Ingredients
It sounds almost too good to be true, doesn’t it? Yet, the beauty of these pumpkin muffins lies in the brilliant combination of only two items you likely already have in your pantry:
- Spice Cake Mix: This is the secret star of the show! A standard box of dry spice cake mix (typically 15.25 ounces) comes pre-portioned with all the necessary dry ingredients, including flour, sugar, leavening agents, and a harmonious blend of warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. This eliminates the need for you to measure out multiple ingredients, ensuring consistent results every time. Its inherent flavor profile perfectly complements the pumpkin. (See substitution notes below for other cake mix options.)
- Pumpkin Puree: Make sure you grab a can of 100% pure pumpkin puree, such as Libby’s or any reliable store brand. This is the ingredient that provides the incredible moisture, rich color, and signature pumpkin flavor to your muffins. It’s crucial to note: this is pure pumpkin and NOT the same thing as pumpkin pie filling or mix, which contains added sweeteners and spices that would throw off the balance of this recipe. Always double-check the label!
That’s it! With these two simple components, you’re just minutes away from a batch of delicious, homemade pumpkin muffins. See the full recipe card below for exact quantities and detailed nutrition information.
Step-by-Step Guide for Perfect Pumpkin Muffins
Baking these muffins couldn’t be simpler. Follow these straightforward steps to achieve perfectly baked, fluffy pumpkin muffins every time:
1. Prepare Your Oven and Muffin Pan
Begin by preheating your oven to a moderate 375ºF (190ºC). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even baking as soon as your batter is ready. Next, line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper cupcake liners. If you don’t have liners, you can lightly grease and flour the muffin tin cups, but liners make for easier removal and cleanup.
2. Combine the Two Magical Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, simply combine the entire box of dry spice cake mix with the can of pumpkin puree. There’s no need for any other wet ingredients; the pumpkin provides all the necessary moisture.
Using an electric mixer, beat the pumpkin puree and cake mix on medium speed until they are just combined. You’ll notice the batter is quite thick – this is completely normal and contributes to the dense, moist texture of the muffins. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tougher muffins.
Pro Tip for Mixing: To prevent the dry cake mix from creating a flour cloud in your kitchen, press the beaters of your electric mixer into the pumpkin puree before turning the mixer on. This simple trick will save you from a messy cleanup!
3. Fill the Muffin Liners
Evenly distribute the thick batter among all 24 paper liners in your muffin pan. This recipe yields a generous two dozen muffins, perfect for sharing or stocking up your freezer.
Because the batter is so thick, these muffins tend to hold their shape while baking. If you prefer a smoother, more uniform muffin top, use the back of a spoon to gently smooth out the batter in each liner before placing them in the oven.
4. Bake to Perfection
Place the muffin pan into your preheated oven and bake for approximately 18 to 20 minutes. Baking times can vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin. It should come out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it, but no wet batter. This indicates a perfectly baked, tender interior.
5. Cool and Enjoy!
Once baked, allow the muffins to cool in the pan for a few minutes. This brief resting period helps them set before you handle them. Then, carefully transfer the warm muffins to a wire rack to cool completely. While they are delicious warm, cooling them fully allows their flavors to deepen and prevents them from becoming soggy during storage.
Smart Substitutions for Your Muffins
While the classic combination is perfect as is, you have some flexibility if you want to experiment or if certain ingredients aren’t available:
- Cake Mix Alternatives: If spice cake mix isn’t on hand, you can achieve a similar cozy fall flavor with carrot cake mix or butter pecan cake mix. These options also come with complementary spices. However, be aware that using a plain yellow cake mix or chocolate cake mix will result in a very different flavor profile, as the pumpkin spice notes primarily come from the cake mix itself. For a plain cake mix, you’d need to add your own pumpkin pie spice.
- Pumpkin: The Golden Rule: Always, always use 100% pure canned pumpkin. It’s an unadulterated ingredient, providing just pumpkin and nothing else. Crucially, pumpkin pie filling and pumpkin pie mix are not suitable substitutes. These products are pre-sweetened and seasoned, which will throw off the balance of the recipe, making your muffins overly sweet and potentially altering their texture.
Delicious Variations to Elevate Your Muffins
These 2-ingredient pumpkin muffins are a fantastic base for customization. Here are some ideas to make them uniquely yours:
- Flavorful Mix-ins: Boost the texture and taste by folding in:
- Chocolate Chips: Mini chocolate chips or regular chocolate chips are always a hit.
- Blueberries: Fresh or frozen blueberries add a lovely tart contrast.
- Chopped Nuts: Pecans, walnuts, or even candied pecans bring a delightful crunch.
- Dried Fruit: Raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped apricots can add chewiness and natural sweetness.
- Extra Spices: For an even bolder pumpkin spice flavor, add ½ to 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice blend or a dash of extra cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter.
- Simple Glaze: For a touch of sweetness and shine, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk (dairy or non-dairy). Drizzle over cooled muffins.
- Crumbly Streusel Topping: Create a delectable streusel topping with flour, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon. Sprinkle it generously over the muffin batter before baking for a crunchy, sweet crown.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Turn these muffins into true cupcakes with a classic cream cheese frosting. It pairs beautifully with pumpkin!
Essential Equipment for Muffin Making
You don’t need a lot of specialized tools to make these easy muffins, but having the right basic kitchen equipment will make the process even smoother:
- Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining the ingredients without spills.
- Hand mixer: While you could mix by hand, an electric mixer makes quick work of creating a smooth, thick batter.
- Muffin baking pan: A standard 12-cup pan is perfect for this recipe.
- Cupcake liners: These ensure easy removal and quick cleanup.
- Wire rack: Crucial for cooling your muffins evenly and preventing sogginess.
Storage Solutions for Freshness
One of the best things about these pumpkin muffins is how well they store, allowing you to enjoy them for days or even months!
- Room Temperature Storage: Once completely cooled, store your muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To help absorb any excess moisture and keep them fresher for longer, place a paper towel at the bottom of the container.
- Freezer Storage: For longer enjoyment, these muffins freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. To freeze them, first ensure they are completely cool. Then, wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place the wrapped muffins into a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible.
- Thawing Frozen Muffins: When you’re ready to indulge, simply thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, or let them sit at room temperature for a few hours. For a warm, freshly baked taste, you can also pop a thawed muffin into the microwave for 15-30 seconds or toast it lightly in a toaster oven.
A few additional tips for optimal freshness:
- Cool Completely: Always ensure muffins are entirely cool before storing them, whether at room temperature or in the freezer. Warm muffins create condensation, leading to soggy textures.
- Avoid Stacking: If storing in a container, try to avoid stacking muffins directly on top of each other, especially if they are still slightly warm or if you want to prevent squishing any delicate toppings.
- Paper Towel Trick: Lining the bottom of your storage container with a paper towel helps absorb any moisture, keeping the muffins from becoming sticky or damp.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2-Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins
Pumpkin muffins are traditionally a fall staple, usually made with a blend of all-purpose flour, leavening agents like baking powder and/or baking soda, aromatic pumpkin pie spice, salt, pure pumpkin puree, brown sugar, eggs, and vegetable oil. However, this revolutionary 2-ingredient recipe simplifies the process dramatically, using just a box of spice cake mix and a can of pumpkin puree to achieve a similar delicious outcome with minimal effort.
No, typically pumpkin muffins do not need to be refrigerated. They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’ve added a perishable frosting, like cream cheese frosting, then refrigeration would be recommended to maintain freshness and safety.
Absolutely! If you have homemade pumpkin puree, it can be a wonderful substitute. Just ensure its consistency is similar to canned puree – not too watery. If it seems very thin, you might want to drain some of the excess liquid or reduce it slightly on the stovetop to prevent a soggy muffin texture.
Yes, it’s completely normal for the batter to be quite thick when mixing just pumpkin puree and cake mix. This dense consistency is what contributes to the incredibly moist and rich texture of the final muffins. Don’t be tempted to add extra liquid!
These muffins are naturally made without added oil or eggs, which can be beneficial for some dietary needs. If you choose a gluten-free cake mix, the recipe can easily become gluten-free. For specific dietary concerns, always check the ingredients list on your chosen cake mix and pumpkin puree. As mentioned, this recipe is often favored for Weight Watchers due to its lower calorie and fat content compared to traditional muffins.
Beyond Muffins: More Pumpkin Delights to Explore
Loved how simple and delicious these easy pumpkin muffins are? Don’t stop there! Dive into more delightful pumpkin-inspired creations with these additional easy recipes:
- Baked Pumpkin Donuts with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Instant Pot Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
- Pumpkin Spice Mug Cake
- Pumpkin Avocado Toast
📖 Recipe
Pin Recipe
Save RecipeSaved!
Email
Print
2-Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins
Equipment
-
Large mixing bowl
-
Hand mixer
-
Muffin baking pan
-
Cupcake liners
-
Wire rack
Ingredients
- 1 box spice cake mix 15.25 ounces
- 1 can pumpkin puree 15 ounces
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC) and line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
-
Add the spice cake mix and pumpkin puree to a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat the pumpkin puree on medium speed until just combined. This creates a thick batter. Press the beaters into the puree before turning them on to prevent the dry ingredients from flying everywhere.
-
Evenly distribute the batter into the 24 paper liners. The muffins will hold their shape while baking, so smooth the muffin tops with the back of a spoon if desired.
-
Bake for 18 to 20 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs but no liquid batter. Cool for a few minutes before transferring the muffins to a wire rack to cool completely.
Video
Notes
Weight Watchers Points: This recipe is estimated to be 3 points per muffin (24 muffins total). WW Points will vary depending on the cake mix used and the point system used. WW changes its program periodically, so the best way to calculate points is via their app or website.
Nutrition
Important Food Safety Note
As with all baking, it is unsafe to consume raw flour. Please do not taste raw flour, raw dough, or uncooked batter. Always ensure your muffins are fully baked before enjoying.