These cute as a button Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes frosted with a caramel cream cheese icing are irresistible. They're the perfect two-bite size, and packed with Fall flavors. The dulce de leche cream cheese icing pairs beautifully with the flavors of pumpkin and spice. Serve them on your holiday desserts table and watch them disappear.
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Caramel Cream Cheese Icing
Many of the recipes on my website are birthed from real-life experiences. I made these mini cupcakes for my son's Thanksgiving class celebration. There's nothing first graders love more than cupcakes, and these fit into tiny hands perfectly. It came as no surprise, the Parents were eating these as quickly a the kids. When I saw this, I knew I was onto something that appealed to all ages. Dulce de Leche is a thick rich caramel but, it does roll off the tongue a bit smoother, doesn't it? Sprinkled with toffee bits, it's the perfect way to finish these two-bite pumpkin wonders.
Helpful Tips for Making Mini Pumpkin Cupcakes
- If you've noticed lately, the amount of product in a box of cake mix seems to be shrinking regularly. When I first developed this recipe, cake mixes were a standard 16.25 ounce boxes. Due to the fact that amount has decreased by one ounce, I've had to revisit this recipe and adjust the ingredient amounts to accommodate.
- This recipe will easily make 70-80 mini cupcakes so, if you're short on pans you may need to borrow a couple from a friend.
- The pumpkin gives moisture to the batter that doesn't require extra oil and the ingredients are simple. No one will ever believe you started these cupcakes with a cake mix.
Other Pumpkin Desserts to Add to the Menu
For more pumpkin desserts to love, you may find other recipes to try
- Pumpkin Spice Layered Lush
- Pumpkin Cake Roll with Pecan Toffee Cream Cheese Filling
- Pumpkin Pie Crumble
- Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
- Pumpkin Pie Punch from The Cookie Rookie
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Caramel Cream Cheese Icing
Servings: 75 servings (may vary)
Calories: 66kcal
Ingredients
- 1 15.25 oz box Spice cake mix
- ⅓ cup all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 3.4 oz box instant vanilla pudding
- 1 15 oz can pureed pumpkin
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla
- toffee bits for garnishing
- 1 recipe Dulce de Leche Cream Cheese Icing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line miniature cupcake pans with liners.
- Sift together cake mix, flour, brown sugar and pudding mix.
- Add pumpkin, oil, buttermilk, eggs and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Beat on medium high speed for about 3 minutes until fully combined and the batter is smooth.
- Using a teaspoon, fill each cup about ⅔ full. After filling, drop the pans on the counter a couple of times to remove any air bubbles from the batter.
- Place the cupcakes into the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes back clean.
- Place onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting with Dulce de Leche Cream Cheese Icing. Garnish with toffee bits.
- Store cupcakes chilled.
Notes
Get the recipe for the Dulce de Leche Cream Cheese Icing here
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 66kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 76mg | Potassium: 6mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 13IU | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg
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My name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.
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Lauree Robinson
Can this be made as a cake?
Melissa
Sure, you could.
Debbie
Where could I purchase this frosting or is there a receipe?
Melissa
Hi Debbie, yes the recipe for the dulce de leche (caramel) icing can be found here.
Beverly Trojanowski
Could I make regular size cupcakes with this recipe and how long do you think they should bake?
Melissa
Yes, you can. 18-20 minutes.