When I have a favorite something-or-another, I become that annoying person who has to let the entire world know that it’s MY favorite.
Yup, that’d be me.
So, when I conjured up the idea to make a treat that included so many of my favorite things - boxed cake mix, the ooey-gooey texture of cake batter, pumpkin (aka the taste of my favorite season fall), in cupcake form - well, let’s just say I got just a wee bit over-excited.
After tasting the results, though, I can say that my excitement was very much warranted.

yields 12 cupcakes
cupcake ingredients:
- 1 box yellow cake mix (I used Gluten Free Pantry)
- 1 can pumpkin
icing ingredients:
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
directions: preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, beat together the cake mix and pumpkin. Place batter into a lined & greased cupcake pan, and bake for 18-20 minutes.
While the blondies are in the oven, get started on the icing. Combine the powdered sugar and cinnamon a medium-sized bowl. Slowly whisk in the milk.
When the cupcakes are done, set them on cooling rack for 10-15 minutes, then drizzle on the icing. I don’t think I have to tell you what to do next.
To put it simply, these. are. phenom.

(I would suggest storing the cupcakes in the fridge - or even freezing them - once they’re cooled, just because that works best with the gooey-factor.)

As I’ve mentioned before, you can call this a recipe, a concotion, and you can even call me lazy for using cake mix. I won’t mind…I’ll be too busy stuffing my face.

When do you think it’s acceptable to start becoming obsessed eating pumpkin-y foods?
(I usually try to hold off until the fall, but…)










So simple, I love it!
Those flavors sound amazing together- hello fall!
I can’t wait to try this. I think it’s totally acceptable to bring the pumpkin back now! September is less than a week away, so why not? I’m pretty sure the pumpkin spice latte comes back at Starbucks next week too
Cake mix anything is bound to be delicious- love how easy these are! I woke up mad early this morning and managed to hit the gym, bake a cake (amazing oat bran & citrus) AND do my hair all before work-> hello productivity!
These cupcakes look so good! I love that they are so simple to make and plus, they are pumpkin! Pumpkin is my favorite!
I CAN’T WAIT TO MAKE THESE!!!!!
I’m a sucker for anything with cinnamon in. Think you’re onto a winner here
well this sounds and looks amazing. might have to give these a try this weekend!
Yummy!
I eat pumpkin all year round! Totally acceptable!
Sher says
Looks yummy!!
Btw-I hope you are prepared for Hurricane Irene!!! Stay safe this weekend!!
YUM! Another good college recipe
Sarah says
Pumpkin is so good for you-why not eat it all year! Looks deliciouso!!!
It’s practically already, so knock yourself out!
Well…seeing that I broke out my pumpkin nearly a month ago, I think I have to go with anytime is a good time to get on the pumpkin train. lol It’s too delicious to be relegated to only one season!
These look great! I’ve done the pumpkin and cake mix thing before (I usually throw a little cinnamon in the mix too) but your cinnamon icing looks soooooo gooooooood!!!!!!!!!!
I think its ok to eat pumpkin-y things all year long! Haha I love pumpkin and I LOVE CINNAMON (more than I should) and well its just such a wonderful combo that its hard to not get obsessed with it… anytime of year!
You can have all of the pumpkin-flavored stuff, just let me at that cinnamon sugar icing!!! That looks so decadent!
Gasp! Wait til Fall? I have it all year. It’s one of my favorite flavors!
Stephanie @ LoveLaughterLight says
As soon as I saw the title of this post, I had to read it. Pumpkin is my favorite!!! I think I’ll have to try this recipe because it looks too darn good not to.
Thanks, Gracie!
OK.. I knowwwwww you are gluten free, BUT you have to try this!!
http://iowagirleats.com/2010/11/16/guilt-free-must-try-thanksgiving-day-dessert/
PUMKIN MOUSSE… It’s no-bake and SOOO yummy.. Maybe you could concoct a GF version! 😀
debbie says
I love cake batter. And cupcakes. But I don’t like pumpkin
No doubt these are delicious-I like the little drizzle of cinnamon! Perfect for fall-Yum!
These look scrumptious!! The flavors sound amazing and the pictures of the cupcakes only help! Can’t wait to try these out.
I love that you’re already getting into fall baking, too! I’m obsessed with anything pumpkin. These look delish!
Oh my gosh! These look delicious and like such a fast, yummy recipe! I love that all it takes is a box of cake mix and a can of pumpkin! That is my kind of cooking! I wonder how it would be with some cream cheese frosting?!
Mmm what a perfect fall treat! Although, I love pumpkin way too much to reserve it just for fall. I eat it year round. 😀
Wait, time out. Is this real life? I feel like it’s fiction. Something that pretty and tasty cannot really exist. Quit playin’ games with mah heart
I am crazy about anything pumpkin and these cupcakes look to dieeee for! I can’t wait to make them!
Kiah says
pumpkin obsession is okay…asap!
Wow these looks awesome. Pumpkin anytime is ok in my book. So… you didn’t actually follow the directions on the cake box mix, but rather just dumped it in a bowl and mixed with pumpkin?
These look great! Now if only I can find pumpkin…
You had me drooling from the title of this recipe… A MUST bake! 😀
I actually just bought a box of Vanilla Bourbon cake mix from TJ’s that I bet would work perfect for these!
Those look amazing. And I feel no guilt whatsoever eating pumpkin-y foods all year long. It’s too good to save for just one time a year!
I made my first pumpkin bread of the season just last week… I couldn’t wait either.
Love everything pumpkin…yum!
Yellow cake out of a box is quite possibly one of my favorite foods. Top it with some trans-fatty chocolate frosting and you’ve got a very happy Bethany (unhealthy, but I mean, if you’re eating cake, you might as well go all out, right?).
boxed mixes are great! i use them all the time and get many compliments. now i have another way to use them….and i want to eat pumpkin asap! i honestly feel like it can be eaten year round… but maybe that’s because i want it allll the time.
Emily @ Living & Learning says
sounds so delicious & I love the simplicity of it!
Shannon @ My Place In The Race says
I so just slobbered 😛 AMAZING!
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