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Easy 5-Ingredient Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes

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These tender, perfectly spiced cupcakes come together in under 30 minutes with just 5 simple ingredients. A quick cream cheese glaze and subtle coffee undertone make them taste like a bakery treat without the effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 box (15.25 oz) spice cake mix
  • 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
  • 2 tablespoons hot water
  • For the glaze: 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. In a small bowl, dissolve instant espresso powder in 2 tablespoons hot water. Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree and eggs until smooth and glossy. Add dissolved espresso and whisk again.
  4. Pour the entire box of spice cake mix into the wet ingredients. Stir with a spatula or whisk until just combined. Do not overmix; a few small lumps are fine.
  5. Divide batter evenly among the 12 cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
  6. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Tops should be golden and spring back when lightly touched.
  7. Let cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  8. While cupcakes cool, make the glaze: In a small bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and milk, whisk until thick and pourable. Adjust consistency with more milk or powdered sugar if needed.
  9. Drizzle glaze over cooled cupcakes using a spoon or piping bag. Let glaze set for about 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not skip dissolving the espresso powder in hot water to avoid gritty bits. Use room temperature eggs for smoother batter. Check oven temperature with an oven thermometer for accuracy. Let glaze set properly before serving. For extra flavor, fold in 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or sprinkle chopped pecans on top of glaze.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin spice latte cupcakes, easy pumpkin cupcakes, 5 ingredient cupcakes, fall cupcakes, coffee pumpkin cupcakes

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