Surely I am not the only one who has seen the "2 ingredient" sweets that are making their rounds on Pinterest?   I have quite a few pinned to my sweet stuff board and I decided to give one a try! And I made my favorite 3 ingredient cupcake topping in lieu of traditional buttercream!  You read that right ... only 5 ingredients for the cupcakes and topping!
5 ingredient pumpkin spice cupcakes & toppingÂ
2 ingredient pumpkin spice cupcakes
For the cupcakes, mix together 1 spice cake mix (just the dry mix - nothing else) and one 15 oz. can of pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling). That's it!  The batter is thick and does not rise much while baking. You can try to smooth out the batter as much as possible after spooning it in, but don't worry too much about what they look like since we are going to pipe on topping. Bake at the recommended temperature as per the directions on the box. The cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the center of the cupcake comes out clean.
These cupcakes are moist and dense - not a regular light and fluffy cupcake - don't say I didn't warn you 😉  The consistency is more like a pumpkin loaf, which I love ... and I am sold on the two ingredient thing!!
3 ingredient pumpkin spice cupcake topping
Using your hand mixer, mix together 1 small box of pumpkin spice instant pudding and 1 cup cold milk (I used skim). On the lowest speed of your mixer, mix in one small tub of Cool Whip - you can use lite or sugar free - just until incorporated! Pipe onto cupcakes and serve.  Or, keep frosted cupcakes refrigerated until 30 minutes prior to serving.
These cupcakes are like a double whammy of pumpkin spice flavor ... perfect for Fall!
One cupcake is NEVER enough ... so here are a few more of my favorite cupcakes!
Inspire Me Heather says
Thank you - 5 ingredients, eh? Sounds good to me! I'm Pinning this and printing it too as in our house, hubby is the baker and he could sooo do this one for us!
Shiloh Barkley says
Great recipe for last minute cupcakes!
http://www.shilohstaste.com
Sara says
5 ingredients? wow, that's awesome! and these look yummy too!
Winnie says
Wowwwww These look FANTASTIC !!
icakepops says
These cupcakes look so pretty and I bet taste delish!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
Mmmm, yes please!
chrissy from One Crafty Place says
these look delicious...thanks for sharing!
Nancy at maddaleeâ„¢ says
Hi Keri, these look fabulous, especially with the topping! Perfect for fall, thank you for sharing.
Have a good day, Nancy
Jill says
Yum! They look delicious!
Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
Harvard Homemaker says
Yum! Easy and delicious! My favorite combination. Will have to try them--thanks!
HH at HarvardHomemaker.com (my brand new blog) 🙂
Angela - Hoopsbyhand says
Now I can't wait to try this! Thank you for this recipe, I definitely pinned it. If you would like to visit us, at hoopsbyhand.com we would love it. Great job!
Ellora says
These look delicious! For only 161 calories, I'm definitely trying out this recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Ellora @ Creatively Southern
Shana says
Yummy! I can't wait to try these. I love pumpkin...Thanks!
Becky @ The Barefoot Seamstress says
These looks delish and I love easy things that don't take 15 ingredients!
sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more says
oh yummy, we don't have pumpkin spice pudding mix, that is something I would love to try.
Tanya-Lemonsforlulu.com says
Now this is exactly what I think of when I think of fall baking! Pumpkin spice, caramel color and full of goodness! Great seasonal cupcake!
Pam Fields says
I make the same base and add 1 cup of chocolate chips and serve as a muffin. I love the idea of the frosting. 🙂 Pinning so I remember next time I pull out the pumpkin and spice cake mix.
Sarah Carletti says
These look beautiful and delicious!
The CSI Girl says
Thanks for linking up for the Fall Food challenge over at The CSI Project. I am featuring you in the CSI Chic Chronicles today!
http://thecsiproject.com/2012/10/19/the-csi-chic-chroniclespumpkin-goodness/
Pamela Henderson says
These cupcakes look so YUMMY! I found you over at The Frugal Girls! I host a link party that starts on Saturday, Heavenly Treats Link Party! I would love if you would start linking up your wonderful treats! http://pamelasheavenlytreats.blogspot.com
Rita says
Love the double pumpkin kick! Thanks for sharing.
Jenn says
These sound delicious - love that frosting!
Lisa/Fresh Eggs Daily Farm Girl says
Yum! This looks so good. Please come share at my Farm Girl Blog Fest! Lisa/Fresh Eggs Daily http://fresh-eggs-daily.blogspot.com/2012/10/farm-girl-blog-fest-5.html
Heather says
Featured on www.pinspiredrecipes.blogspot.com today!!! YUM!
HungryLittleGirl says
So delicious!
I would love to have you join my new link party Wednesday Extravaganza! Come by and share this or other recipes. Here is the link
http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/1/post/2012/10/wednesday-extravaganza.html
Can't wait to see you there!
Ginger says
Featuring YOU today! Thanks so much for linking up to {wow me} wednesday!
Ginger @ GingerSnapCrafts.com
http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2012/10/take-look-at-you-my-favorites_25.html
Anonymous says
I can not find the pumplin spice instant pudding mix.So I am going to try the cookies made with vanilla instant pudding mix and add pumpkin pie spice. Hope it works<<<
nclark says
I made these last night, and all I can say is I am in heaven. I added walnuts to a little at the end, and then I put a walnut on top of the piped frosting. I could eat the entire batch by myself!!! Thank you for sharing.