5 Easy Recipes with Cake Mix and Canned Pumpkin – Recipe Diaries (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Jenna · This post may contain affiliate links · 22 Comments

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Cake mix and canned pumpkin are two ingredients that can be combined to create a delicious and easy dessert. The combination of the two creates a moist and flavorful cake that is perfect for fall or any time of the year.

To make this dessert, simply mix one box of cake mix with one can of pumpkin puree until well combined. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish (muffin or donut pans) and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. This dessert can be served plain or topped with whipped cream or frosting for added sweetness. Enjoy!

This recipe is so versatile it can be turned into bars, cake, muffins, or donuts.

If you have been following me on Instagram lately, I have been posting recipes you can make with a box of cake mix (15.25oz) and 1 150z can of pumpkin. People loved it! This pumpkin recipe is simple and only requires 2 ingredients. All the other ingredients listed in the recipes below are OPTIONAL which can fool a lot of people into thinking that this recipe is more than 2 ingredients. The keyword above is optional folks.

If you like pumpkin desserts for Fall try Pumpkin Muffins with Chocolate Chips, Pumpkin Fluff, or Skinny Pumpkin Pie Bars.

Jump to:
  • What can you make with these 2 ingredients?
  • Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
  • Pumpkin Donuts
  • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
  • Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins
  • Number of Servings
  • Recipe FAQS
  • 5 Easy Recipes with Cake Mix and Canned Pumpkin

What can you make with these 2 ingredients?

So far, I've made muffins, donuts, whoopie pies, and sheet cake. Cake mix and canned pumpkin are the 2 BASE ingredients. Again, all the other ingredients mentioned in the recipes are optional and are just ideas you can add to the recipe in case you think it needs to be doctored up a little.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Pumpkin Donuts

For the cinnamon sugar mix that you use for the donuts, it is best to dip them when the donuts are warm. Feel free to use a sugar substitute to help keep the points at 3.

Baked Pumpkin Donuts

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars

Some ingredients such as egg and water help the batter consistency and type of dessert you are making.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

This recipe for pumpkin muffins is reallystupideasy. The recipe makes 24 muffins/cupcakes and the base which is cake mix and canned pumpkin is only 3 points. If you add the chocolate chips the total will be 4 points.

Weight Watchers Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Number of Servings

Depending on how you divide the number of servings per recipe the points can vary. 24 servings are 3 points. 48 servings are2 points. You figure out cake mix points by what the box says per ounces. In the recipe builder there is an option for oz if you look for yellow or chocolate cake mix.

Recipe FAQS

Can I use sugar-free cake mix?

Yes, you can but from what people are telling me on Instagram there is not a sugar-free spice cake mix flavor out there. You can, however,use yellow or chocolate sugar-free cake mix. Add a little cinnamon or pumpkin spice to the batter, but that is optional as well. So many options! Please use your recipe builder to figure out the points. I'm not a fan of sugar-free cake mix.

How do you store these?

Whenever I make a batch of these muffins, I will only make half of the recipe at a time so I am not wasting a whole lot of muffins before they start getting bad in the fridge.

How do you figure out points for recipes?

The recipe builder app from WW is what I use to figure out points for all my recipes. It comes with your WW membership. I would suggest entering my recipes into the builder once you’ve tried it and liked it. That way you can easily track your day. It is also helpful to use if you have a question about the points regarding a recipe.

Why am I still getting different points from what you have listed?

This could be quite a number of reasons and here are a few that I have come across.
Number of servings
Low-Fat vs Fat-Free ingredients
Zero Point foods are different for all 3 plans
Using the nutrition info calculator instead of the recipe builder

If you tried this 5 Easy Recipes Using Canned Pumpkin and Cake Mix orany other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Follow along on Tiktok @jennarecipediaries

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5 Easy Recipes with Cake Mix and Canned Pumpkin – Recipe Diaries (6)

5 Easy Recipes with Cake Mix and Canned Pumpkin

★★★★★5 from 4 reviews
  • Author: Jenna
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 12-15 min
  • Total Time: 25 min
  • Yield: 24 1x
Print Recipe

Description

This pumpkin recipe is simple and only requires 2 ingredients. All the other ingredients listed in the recipes below are OPTIONAL

Scale

Ingredients

Base Recipe

1 15 oz box of spice cake mix

1 15 oz can of pumpkin

½ cup of water (does not count as an ingredient)

Pumpkin Muffins 3 Points, 24 muffins

Chocolate Chips (optional)

Whoopie Pies

1 can of Dairy-Free Almond Reddi Wip (filling)

Pumpkin Spice Donuts

¼ cup of sugar (optional)

1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars

1 egg

½ cup mini chocolate chips

Pumpkin Cupcakes

Frosting:

1 15 oz can of pumpkin

1 1 oz box of instant vanilla pudding mix(sugar-free)

¼ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

1 container of cool whip

Instructions

Muffins or base recipe: Mix all the base ingredients together in a bowl. Fold in chocolate chips (optional) to the batter. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners and scoop the batter into each cupcake liner. Bake at 350 for 12 to 15 minutes. Do not add any of the other ingredients on the back of the box. Just the 3 base ones.

Makes 24 muffins, 3 smart points each

Whoopie Pies: Using a tablespoon, scoop the batter on to cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 for 12 to 15 minutes.

Makes 4 dozen cookies: 3 smart points

Donuts: Add about 2 tablespoons of cake mix into each donut pan hole and bake them in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Continue with the rest of the batter. In a small bowl combine the sugar and cinnamon. Dip each side of the donut into the cinnamon and sugar mix. Enjoy. Smart Points per donut 3. You can spoon the batter into the donut pan or use a ziplock bag and cut a hole in the bag to pipe the batter into the pan. Makes 24 donuts 3 smart points per donut

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars: In a bowl, mix together to the cake mix, pumpkin, and egg until well combined. Spray a 9 X 13 pan with cooking spray. Spread the cake mix batter onto the pan. Sprinkle the chocolate chips all over the pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until a tooth pick comes out clean. Makes 24 servings 4 smart points per bar

Pumpkin Cupcakes

Mix together cake mix and pumpkin puree. Add in about ¼ cup of water if the consistency is too thick or if you please. Divide batter in muffin tins.

Meanwhile, mix together a box of instant vanilla pudding (dry) and 1 can of pumpkin puree until the instant pudding is dissolved. Add in ¼ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice. Gently, fold in the whole container of cool whip. Once the cupcakes have cooled, frost the cupcakes with the pumpkin fluff frosting. Enjoy! Makes 24 cupcakes, Smart Points 4 (1 cupcake)

Notes

Points listed above includes all 3 WW plans

  • Category: Easy
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: 2 ingredient pumpkin muffins

More Fall

  • Paula Deen's Green Bean Casserole
  • Pumpkin Muffins with Chocolate Chips
  • Caramel Apple Salad
  • Weight Watchers Baked Apples

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Waya says

    I just made this today because I had an idea and wanted to make sure that it was an idea that someone's tried and was sure enough, it was. I found this site and couldn't have been happier that my idea was valid. The only difference that I made to mine was that I added about 6 tablespoons of applesauce with the pumpkin into the cake mix, and I also used Betty Crocker German Chocolate cake mix instead of the spice cake mix. I did this because the subtle cocoa flavor mixed with pumpkin makes it that much more fall-esque, in my opinion. The result? Let me just tell you, lacking the cowl and whisk almost equaled, wanting to just eat the mix uncooked because it was so good. I'm glad we didn't, though, because this turned into a cake once done that rivaled an actual bakery cake when it comes to taste, moistness, density, and texture. This is absolutely phenomenal, definitely making again.

  2. Jenna says

    Yes you can mix it by hand. If it gets too thick while stirring add in some water.

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5 Easy Recipes with Cake Mix and Canned Pumpkin – Recipe Diaries (2024)

FAQs

How to hack a Betty Crocker cake mix? ›

How To Hack A Boxed Cake Mix And Make It Infinitely Better
  1. Add additional eggs. ...
  2. Use butter instead of oil. ...
  3. Replace water with milk or coffee. ...
  4. Go crazy with mix-ins. ...
  5. Whip it good. ...
  6. Add sour cream or mayo. ...
  7. Add instant pudding mix. ...
  8. Brush cooled cake with simple syrup.
May 16, 2019

What can I add to my Betty Crocker cake mix to make it better? ›

Boxed cake mixes can take on a lot of extra flavor and a little more liquid, so don't be afraid to add a splash of vanilla or almond extract to a white cake or a little coffee extract to a chocolate cake. Fresh lemon or orange zest is wonderful in a lemon cake and also divine in a yellow or white cake.

What does canned pumpkin replace in baking? ›

Substitute Pumpkin for Eggs, Oil or Butter | LIBBY'S®

What can I add to a cake mix to make it like homemade? ›

Recommended
  1. Spices. Perhaps the simplest way to add a subtle boost of flavor is incorporating spices into your cake mix. ...
  2. Malted Milk Powder. ...
  3. Browned Butter. ...
  4. Sprinkles and Chocolate Chips. ...
  5. High-Quality Extracts. ...
  6. Food Coloring. ...
  7. Instant Espresso Powder. ...
  8. Sour Cream.
Nov 29, 2023

How to jazz up a box cake mix? ›

Pure vanilla extract and pure almond extract are great options, but you could also try lemon extract or orange extract paired with fresh citrus zest. Although more expensive, vanilla bean paste or fresh vanilla beans will provide even richer flavor to a boxed mix.

How to make cake from a box taste homemade? ›

8 Simple Tips and Tricks to Make Box Cake Better
  1. Use Room Temperature Ingredients. ...
  2. Replace Water with Milk or Buttermilk. ...
  3. Substitute Sour Cream in the Mix. ...
  4. Substitute Oil for Butter. ...
  5. Use More Eggs. ...
  6. Add Vanilla Extract. ...
  7. Make It a Chocolate Lovers' Cake. ...
  8. Decorate Your Cake Like A Pro.

How to make a box cake taste like a bakery? ›

Step 1: Look at the directions on the cake mix. Step 2: Add one more egg (or add 2 if you want it to be very rich). Step 3: Use melted butter instead of oil and double the amount. Step 4: Instead of water, use whole milk.

How do you doctor up cake mix? ›

It's now my go to and the cakes turn out so good! Omg I JUST did this experiment!! The absolute winner is to replace the water with buttermilk and instead of using regular eggs, use two egg yolks for every full egg and some vanilla bean paste. So typically it will be four egg yolks depending on the recipe.

How to make a Betty Crocker cake taste homemade? ›

More Fat, More Flavor

Most box cake recipes call for vegetable or canola oil. The only trouble is, these oils have almost no flavor. Replace the oil with an equal amount of melted butter (and a pinch of salt if using unsalted butter), to boost richness. For an extra decadent cake, add two tablespoons of mayonnaise.

Can pumpkin replace egg in baking? ›

Aside from giving your baked goods a seasonal touch, pumpkin puree is excellent for replacing eggs. Use 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree for each egg, says Traci Weintraub, chef and founder of Gracefully Fed, a restaurant in Los Angeles.

Can I substitute pumpkin for oil in cake mix? ›

Although canned pumpkin is a good substitute for oil and eggs, it can negatively impact the final product. So, you may need to experiment with proportions until you achieve a satisfying taste and texture.

Can pumpkin replace egg? ›

Pumpkin Puree

For each egg, a recipe calls for, add in one quarter cup of pumpkin puree. For replacing oil add in a one-to-one ratio, so if a recipe calls for one half cup of oil, one half cup of pumpkin can be added instead.

What does adding pudding to cake mix do? ›

Put some pudding in the mix: Add a small box of pudding mix in with the cake mix. (Don't make the pudding.) The mix adds additional flavor, moistness, and a denser texture.

Can I use milk instead of water in cake mix? ›

Use milk instead of water

Most box cake recipes will tell you to add water to the mix. Instead, try adding milk using the same proportions. This will make the cake richer and creamier because it ups the fat content. You can even use buttermilk here for a pleasant tang.

Can I replace oil with melted butter in cake mix? ›

Most cake mixes call for oil, but butter will bring in amazing flavor. To substitute butter for oil in baking just melt the butter, measure it, let it cool, and add it as you would the oil. Compared to oil, butter will create a cake with a firmer, cakeier texture.

How do you make a Betty Crocker box cake more dense? ›

How To Make Boxed Cake Denser
  1. Add 2 extra egg yolks. ...
  2. Swap out oil for melted butter. ...
  3. Add 2 mashed ripe bananas, fold in just before baking. ...
  4. Add 1 cup pumpkin purée, fold in just before baking. ...
  5. Swap out water for coconut milk. ...
  6. Swap out oil for ricotta cheese. ...
  7. Add 4 ounces of chocolate, melted. ...
  8. Swap out water for heavy cream.
May 16, 2023

Can I use butter instead of oil in boxed cake mix? ›

Most cake mixes call for oil, but butter will bring in amazing flavor. To substitute butter for oil in baking just melt the butter, measure it, let it cool, and add it as you would the oil. Compared to oil, butter will create a cake with a firmer, cakeier texture.

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