When the fall season hits this easy 3-Ingredient Pumpkin Muffins recipe is on top of my list. Not only are they super simple to make but they are also wonderfully moist and have amazing pumpkin flavor.
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It can be hard to believe that you can make muffins with only 3 ingredients but that is why these really are the easiest pumpkin muffins. This Pumpkin Bread recipe is also made with a mix.
Using a spice cake mix allows you to make the muffins with out any flour, sugar, leavening ingredients or spices. A can of pumpkin puree replaces the oil and egg in the batter and milk helps to bind everything and make them the perfect consistency.
What goes into this Recipe
- Spice Cake Mix: Using a box of spice cake mix allows you to make these muffins with only 3 ingredients because this mix alone has all of the dry ingredients you need.
- Pumpkin Puree: Not to be substituted for pumpkin pie mix {or filling}, pumpkin puree is 100% steamed pumpkin. It gives the muffins amazing flavor and a moist texture.
- Milk: Water can be used but milk will give you a richer taste.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Add-In Ideas
Technically when you add something to the pumpkin spice muffins or to the top of the muffins they become 4-ingredient pumpkin muffins. I think it is always a great idea to add a bit of something extra and here are some great ideas.
- Chocolate Chips- Add them to the batter or sprinkle a few on top for awesome chocolate chip pumpkin muffins. Cinnamon chips or butterscotch chips would also be a great addition.
- Chopped Nuts- I love using pecans but walnuts, pistachios and hazelnuts would also be wonderful.
- Sanding Sugar- Sprinkle a bit on top of the muffins for a crunchy and sweet texture on top of each muffin.
- Coconut- Add a handful of shredded coconut to the muffins.
- Raisins- The combination of pumpkin and raisins is a match made in heaven.
Substitutions
If you do not have a spice mix or can’t find one, no worries. Substitute the spice mix with a box of yellow cake mix, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon of ginger and 1/4 teaspoon of allspice or cloves.
1 1/2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice can be also be used in place of the spices. Which is what is added to these Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies.
You could also try a devil’s food cake mix for a wonderful chocolate pumpkin muffins recipe.
How to make Cake Mix Pumpkin Muffins
1. Combine the spice cake mix, pumpkin puree and milk in a large bowl. Mix the ingredients together using an electric mixer {or by hand} until everything is nicely incorporated and thick.
2. Use a large cookie scoop {or about 3 tablespoons} to scoop muffin batter into 12 paper lined muffin cups.
3. Top with an add-in ingredient {if desired} .
4. Finally, bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, reduce the heat to 350 degrees and continue to bake for an additional 10-15 minutes. Or until they spring back to the touch and the tops are no longer glossy. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack before removing from the pan.
Expert Tips
- Don’t skip lining the pan with muffin liners. This helps with clean up and also makes it super easy to remove the muffins from the muffin tin.
- Use an ice cream scoop to measure the batter. Doing so will keep all of the muffins the same size which allows them to bake evenly.
- Top with chocolate chips, pecans or sanding sugar before baking. This will add another element to the muffins.
- Allow the pumpkin cake mix muffins to cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan. If you try to remove the muffins too soon they may not stay together well.
Storage and Freezing
Store- For best results store this easy pumpkin muffin recipe in an airtight container {or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap} in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They can be kept at room temperature but they will not last very long.
Freeze- These 3-ingredient pumpkin muffins freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. I like to double bag them in zipper bags.
Recipe FAQs
Canned pumpkin and pumpkin puree are the same thing. In fact, you will find both of these names used interchangeably in lots of recipes.
The key is to find 100% pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling which has sweetener and spices. Pumpkin puree {canned pumpkin} is also used in these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Pumpkin puree can replace oil and butter in baking. That is why this easy pumpkin muffins recipe is so amazing and only requires a few ingredients.
Yes! It will make two pans of mini muffins {or about 36}. Line the mini muffin pan with paper liners and bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.
I have not tested it but you could use a gluten-free spice cake mix as a substitute in these 3-ingredient muffins.
Do you love pumpkin recipes ? Try these…
Did you try this recipe?Leave a ⭐️ review below and tag @practicallyhomemade on Pinterest!
Easy 3-Ingredients Pumpkin Muffins Recipe
Ingredients
Muffins
- 1 box spice cake mix {15.25 ounces}
- 15 ounces pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup milk
Optional Topping or Add-In Ideas
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup sanding sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°.
- Combine the cake mix, pumpkin puree and milk in a large bowl and mix using an electric mixer {or by hand} until all of the ingredients are combined.
- Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners. Use a large cookie scoop {or about 3 tablespoons} to scoop batter into the muffin cups {or about 3/4 full}.
- Bake for 5 minutes at 425° and then reduce the oven temperature to 350°. Continue to bake for 10-13 minutes. The muffins should spring back to the touch and the tops will not be glossy.
- Remove muffins from the oven and let them cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Place on a wire rack to cool at room temperature. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Video
Notes
- Don’t skip lining the pan with muffin liners. This helps with clean up and also makes it super easy to remove the muffins from the muffin tin.
- Use an ice cream scoop to measure the batter. Doing so will keep all of the muffins the same size which allows them to bake evenly.
- If you do not have a spice mix or can’t find one, no worries. Substitute the spice mix with a box of yellow cake mix, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon of ginger and 1/4 teaspoon of allspice or cloves.
- To make mini muffins, line the mini muffin pan with paper liners and bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.
Nutrition
Julie Ladd says
June Bug, as you know I am the cook for the schools in Cedarville. I also cook 2 days a week for the local Senior Citizens. I make a special Thanksgiving dinner every year and I included your delicious recipe this year. IT WAS A BIG HIT!!! Love always, Julie
June says
That is so great!! Happy Holidays!