Easy Pumpkin Cupcakes for Halloween

If you’ve been wondering how to make easy pumpkin cupcakes for Halloween, you’re in the right place. These adorable treats are soft, spiced, and decorated to look like mini pumpkins – perfect for parties, school events, or just a fun baking project at home. Nothing says spooky season quite like pumpkins, and these cupcakes capture all the cozy autumn flavors while being simple enough for kids to help decorate.

Halloween is the perfect excuse to get baking, and nothing says spooky season quite like pumpkins. Whether you’re carving them, decorating your home with them, or eating them in delicious desserts, pumpkins are always at the heart of fall fun. These adorable pumpkin cupcakes are the ultimate Halloween treat – they’re soft, spiced, and decorated to look like mini pumpkins. Plus, they’re easy enough to make with kids, making them a fantastic family activity.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the shopping list, recipe, and decorating tips so you can bake the cutest pumpkin cupcakes for your Halloween celebration.

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Shopping List for Pumpkin Cupcakes

Before you get started, here’s everything you’ll need. Check your cupboards for the basics and add the rest to your grocery list.

Cupcakes:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground allspice
½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
½ cup milk (whole or semi-skimmed)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting/Decorations:

2 cups powdered sugar
½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
2–3 tablespoons milk
Orange food coloring
Green food coloring
Chocolate chips or brown candies (for “pumpkin stems”)

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Step-by-Step Pumpkin Cupcake Recipe

1. Make the Cupcakes

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake cases.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice.
Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Eggs & Pumpkin: Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in pumpkin puree and vanilla.
Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, alternating with milk, until smooth.
Bake: Divide batter evenly into cupcake liners and bake 18–20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool: Let cupcakes cool fully on a wire rack.

2. Make the Frosting

Beat softened butter until creamy.
Gradually add powdered sugar.
Add milk one spoonful at a time until smooth.
Tint most of the frosting orange and a small portion green.

3. Decorate the Cupcakes

Spread orange frosting over each cupcake to resemble a pumpkin.
Pipe green leaves or vines on top using the green frosting.
Add a chocolate chip or candy at the top as a “pumpkin stem.”

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Child-Friendly: Simple steps and fun decorating make it perfect for family baking.
Festive & Cute: They look like pumpkins, making them a hit at Halloween parties or bake sales.
Deliciously Spiced: Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice give them that cozy autumn flavor.
Make Ahead Friendly: You can bake the cupcakes the day before and decorate them fresh.

Tips & Variations

Swap chocolate chips for pretzel sticks, Rolos, or Tootsie Rolls as the pumpkin stems.
Use gel food coloring for vibrant frosting colors.
Try cream cheese frosting if you prefer a tangier flavor.

If you’re looking for a Halloween dessert that’s fun, festive, and full of cozy fall flavors, these pumpkin cupcakes are perfect. They combine the warmth of pumpkin spice with playful decorations that make them look just like mini pumpkins. Plus, they’re simple enough for kids to help with = making the baking process just as enjoyable as eating them.

So grab your mixing bowls, whip up a batch, and watch these pumpkin cupcakes disappear at your Halloween gathering.