Name: Pumpkin Spice Pudding Halloween Cupcakes Recipe
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 3½ teaspoons baking powder; 2 cups granulated sugar; 1 (3.4 ounce) pumpkin spice pudding mix; ¾ cup vegetable oil; 3 large eggs; 1 cup apple cider; Black candy melts (quantity as needed to dip cupcakes); Yellow candy melts (quantity as needed for moons); Yellow sugar sprinkles (for moon decoration); Colored sugar sprinkles (for cupcake coating); Small lollipop sticks or cupcake picks

If you’re on the hunt for a festive treat that perfectly captures the cozy vibes of fall, you’re in for a real treat. I’m excited to share my Pumpkin Spice Pudding Halloween Cupcakes Recipe that’s become a beloved favorite in my kitchen. These cupcakes have the perfect pumpkin spice flavor with a moist, tender crumb thanks to the pudding mix, and the spooky decorations add a fun Halloween twist you’ll love showing off. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll be your go-to for every fall gathering—or just a sweet afternoon pick-me-up.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Moist and Fluffy: The pumpkin spice pudding mix makes the cupcakes incredibly tender without any extra fuss.
Perfect Halloween Decoration: The candy moons and sprinkles create a festive look that’s fun for parties or family gatherings.
Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these in your pantry, which makes this recipe easy to whip up on a whim.
Kid-Friendly Fun: Decorating these cupcakes is an activity my whole family loves joining in on.

The image shows a set of cupcakes with black and white polka dot wrappers. Each cupcake has a thick layer of black frosting with purple, orange, and black sprinkles adding a rough texture on top. On the frosting, a small black cat figure with bright yellow eyes stands facing forward with its tail up. Behind each cat, there is a large round yellow cookie with a sugary sparkling surface placed vertically. The cupcakes are arranged on a white marbled surface with a dark background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before diving in, let’s talk about the ingredients because choosing the right ones will make your Pumpkin Spice Pudding Halloween Cupcakes recipe shine. The key secret here? That pumpkin spice pudding mix—it adds flavor and moisture like nothing else.

All-purpose flour: The sturdy base for your cupcakes, providing structure without weighing them down.
Baking powder: Helps your cupcakes rise beautifully and get that light texture.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens perfectly without overpowering the warm pumpkin spices.
Pumpkin spice pudding mix (3.4 oz packet): This is your magic ingredient that keeps the cupcakes moist and packed with fall flavor.
Vegetable oil: Adds moisture and keeps the crumb tender—don’t swap it for butter here, or you might lose that great texture.
Large eggs: For richness and binding everything together.
Apple cider: I love the subtle hint of fruitiness it adds, complementing the pumpkin spice perfectly.
Black and yellow candy melts, sprinkles, small lollipop sticks or cupcake picks (optional): For the decorative moons and festive finishing touches that transform these cupcakes for Halloween.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I appreciate most about this Pumpkin Spice Pudding Halloween Cupcakes recipe is how easy it is to tweak and make your own. Whether you want to add a little more spice, swap ingredients for diet needs, or just get creative with decorations, it’s totally up to you.

Gluten-Free Variation: I swapped the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and it turned out surprisingly good—just be sure to check your blend for baking powder content so you get the rise right.
Dairy-Free Option: This recipe is naturally dairy-free thanks to using vegetable oil and pudding mix—perfect for my friend who’s lactose intolerant!
Extra Spice Kick: I like adding a pinch of extra cinnamon and nutmeg for a deeper spice flavor when I’m in a pumpkin-obsessed mood.
Decoration Free Style: Sometimes we skip the candy melts and just dust the cupcakes with cinnamon sugar for a quick, less fussy version.

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Pudding Halloween Cupcakes Recipe

Step 1: Mixing the Batter to Perfection

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F because this batter comes together quickly. Line your cupcake pan with liners—24 is perfect here. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and that essential pumpkin spice pudding mix until everything is evenly distributed. Adding the dry ingredients well first prevents any clumps of pudding mix, which can throw off the texture.

Step 2: Wet Ingredients and Combining

Next, pour in the vegetable oil, crack in the eggs, and add the apple cider. Use a stand mixer or hand mixer on medium speed and blend everything for about 2 minutes. This step is key—I’ve learned that mixing this long helps the batter become smooth and creamy, making sure the cupcakes come out ultra moist. Your batter should look rich and pourable, not too thick or runny.

Step 3: Baking Your Cupcakes

Fill each cupcake liner about three-quarters full—that’s just enough room for these to rise without spilling over. Pop them into your preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. When you think they’re done, do the toothpick test: insert a toothpick right in the center, and if it comes out clean (no wet batter), you’re good to go. Cooling them completely on a wire rack is important before decorating, so don’t rush this part.

Step 4: Crafting the Candy Moons

While the cupcakes bake and cool, get ready to make the candy moons—a really fun step that adds such a cool Halloween vibe. Measure your lollipop sticks to decide how big your moons should be; I’ve found a biscuit cutter works perfectly as a stencil. Trace circles on the back of some parchment paper taped on a cookie sheet.

Melt the yellow candy melts carefully, then fill a squeeze bottle or a small zip-top bag with the melted candy (cutting a tiny corner). Trace the circles first, then carefully fill them in. To cover any unevenness, sprinkle with yellow sugar sprinkles before freezing them for 10 minutes. When they’re solid, shake off the extra sugar and flip the moons over.

Dip the lollipop sticks in a little more melted yellow candy and press into the back center of each moon. Freeze again for 10 minutes and your moons will be ready to become the stars of your cupcakes.

Step 5: Decorating Your Halloween Cupcakes

Here’s where it gets really fun! Melt the black candy melts and dip the tops of your cooled cupcakes right into the melted chocolate. Immediately toss or dip them into colored sugar sprinkles for a spooky shimmer. This step moves fast—add your candy moons and any cat-themed cupcake picks right after dipping because if you wait too long, the chocolate will harden and you won’t be able to stick the decorations on properly. I learned this the hard way, so trust me on this timing!

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Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Spice Pudding Halloween Cupcakes Recipe

Use Room Temperature Eggs: It helps the batter mix more evenly and gives a lighter texture to the cupcakes.
Don’t Overmix Dry Ingredients: Mix just enough to combine to keep your cupcakes tender instead of dense.
Prep Decorations in Advance: I like making the candy moons while the cupcakes bake to save time and stress.
Avoid Waiting After Dipping: Add moons and candy picks right after dipping to keep them sticking perfectly without breaking the chocolate.

How to Serve Pumpkin Spice Pudding Halloween Cupcakes Recipe

A cupcake with a black and white polka dot wrapper filled with dark chocolate cake topped with purple and black sugar sprinkles creating a rough texture, a small black cat figurine standing on top with shiny yellow eyes facing forward, behind the cat is a large yellow sugar disk with a slightly rough grainy texture standing upright, all set on a white marbled surface with a dark background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple but festive—colored sugar sprinkles add a fun sparkle, and those yellow candy moons steal the show! If you want a little extra flair, mini chocolate chips or edible glitter work wonders for that spooky Halloween sparkle without being overpowering.

Side Dishes

These cupcakes pair beautifully with a chai latte or hot apple cider to keep that warm fall theme going. For a party, I like serving them alongside roasted pumpkin seeds or caramel popcorn for a crunchy contrast that guests really enjoy.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged the cupcakes on a black platter surrounded by mini pumpkins and candles to create a spooky centerpiece. Another time, I presented them in individual clear bags tied with orange and black ribbons as cute party favors. When kids are involved, setting up a decorating station where they add their own candy moons and sprinkles makes it extra memorable.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After trying different methods, I find storing these cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature keeps them fresh for about 2-3 days. If your kitchen is warm, the fridge works too, but just bring them to room temp before serving to enjoy the best texture.

Freezing

I freeze uniced cupcakes wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then in a freezer-safe bag. When I want to enjoy them, I thaw overnight in the fridge and add the candy decorations fresh. Freezing after decorating tends to make candy melts a little dull, so I prefer decorating after thawing.

Reheating

If you want to warm up leftovers, pop a cupcake in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. It’s amazing how that little burst of warmth revives the soft pumpkin spice flavors and makes it feel freshly baked just again.

FAQs

Can I use regular pumpkin puree instead of pudding mix?

The pudding mix is a game-changer because it adds both pumpkin spice flavor and moisture with minimal effort. If you want to substitute pumpkin puree, you’ll need to adjust the liquid content and add spices separately, which is a bit more complicated. I recommend sticking with the pudding mix for best results.
Are these cupcakes suitable for kids?

Absolutely! The flavor is kid-friendly, and the fun candy decorations make them a hit at any Halloween party. Just keep an eye on any small lollipop sticks or picks during serving to avoid choking hazards.
Can I make these cupcakes vegan?

While this recipe uses eggs, you could experiment with flax eggs or egg replacers, but the texture might change. Also, check that your pudding mix and candy melts are vegan-friendly. I haven’t tried a fully vegan version yet, but it’s something I want to explore!
How do I avoid cupcake liners sticking to the cupcakes?

Using parchment-cupcake liners or lightly greasing regular liners helps. Also, make sure to cool cupcakes completely before peeling the liners, which helps them release more easily.
My cupcakes are a bit dense; how can I make them lighter?

Mix your batter enough to combine but avoid overmixing, especially after adding the flour. Also, fresh baking powder makes a big difference in rise, so check your expiration date next time.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how these Pumpkin Spice Pudding Halloween Cupcakes turn out every time—moist, flavorful, and so much fun to decorate. When I first tried this recipe, it quickly became a family tradition, especially because decorating the moons and sprinkles together is such a blast. If you’re looking to impress guests with a festive and delicious treat or just want to cozy up with a little taste of fall, I highly recommend giving this recipe a try. You’ll enjoy every bite, and who knows? It might just become your Halloween baking staple too!