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 for dipping); Yellow candy melts (quantity as needed for moons); Yellow sugar sprinkles (for decorating moons); Colored sugar sprinkles (for cupcake topping); Small lollipop sticks or cupcake picks (for moon handles)

If you’re on the lookout for a seasonal treat that’s both cozy and festive, you’re gonna want to try this Pumpkin Spice Pudding Halloween Cupcakes Recipe. These cupcakes are packed with all the warm flavors of fall, plus a fun Halloween twist that makes them perfect for any spooky celebration. Trust me, once you try them, they’ll become a regular in your autumn baking rotation.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich Pumpkin Spice Flavor: The pumpkin spice pudding mix adds a deep, cozy spice blend that makes every bite comforting.
Moist and Tender Texture: Thanks to the pudding mix and apple cider, these cupcakes stay incredibly moist and fluffy.
Festive Halloween Presentation: The candy-coated moons and sprinkles really make these cupcakes pop for your fall gatherings.
Simple to Make: You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to whip these up, even if you’re new to baking cupcakes with fun decorations.

The image shows several cupcakes with black and white polka dot wrappers, each topped with a thick layer of dark purple and black sugar sprinkles that create a rough texture. Sticking out from the center of each cupcake is a small black cat figure with yellow eyes, positioned in front of a bright yellow round cookie that looks like a full moon. The cupcakes are arranged closely together on a white marbled surface, and the background is dark, making the yellow moons and black cats stand out vividly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic behind this Pumpkin Spice Pudding Halloween Cupcakes Recipe comes from combining classic pumpkin spice flavors with the moistness that pudding mix brings, and the bright apple cider adds just the right zing. Let’s dive into the ingredients you’ll need.

All-purpose flour: Essential for a tender cupcake crumb; make sure to measure properly by spooning and leveling to avoid dense cupcakes.
Baking powder: Helps these cupcakes rise and stay fluffy.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and balances the spices nicely.
Pumpkin spice pudding mix: This is the secret weapon for flavor and moisture, so don’t skip it!
Vegetable oil: Keeps cupcakes moist; it’s better than butter here because it blends smoothly with the pudding mix.
Large eggs: Bind everything together and add richness.
Apple cider: Gives a subtle fruity note that enhances the pumpkin spice perfectly.
Black and yellow candy melts (optional): For creating those festive moons and coating the cupcakes with color and crunch.
Sprinkles (optional): Adds fun texture and visual appeal.
Small lollipop sticks or cupcake picks (optional): Great for assembling the moon decorations.

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 best things about this Pumpkin Spice Pudding Halloween Cupcakes Recipe is how flexible it is. I love tweaking it for different occasions or dietary needs, so don’t hesitate to get creative!

Gluten-Free Variation: I swapped regular flour for a trusted gluten-free blend once for a friend’s party, and they came out just as moist and delicious.
Spiced Up: For a little extra kick, I sometimes add a pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg to the batter.
Frosting Fun: While the original recipe is dipped in candy melts, feel free to top with cream cheese frosting and a dusting of cinnamon for a different vibe.
Vegan Twist: If you want to try vegan, you can find pudding mix and egg replacements to make it work – just expect a slight texture difference.

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Pudding Halloween Cupcakes Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Liners

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your cupcake tin with 24 liners – I like colorful ones for Halloween but simple white works perfectly too. Setting this up early keeps your workflow smooth.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients with Pudding Mix

In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, and pumpkin spice pudding mix. Whisking well here ensures everything is evenly distributed so every cupcake has that pumpkin spice goodness.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients and Blend

Add the vegetable oil, eggs, and apple cider to the dry mixture. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes until the batter is smooth, creamy, and well combined. The cider adds moisture and just enough tang to enhance those spices.

Step 4: Fill and Bake

Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake liners, filling each about three-quarters full to leave plenty of room for rising. Bake for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Resist opening the oven too often to keep them fluffy!

Step 5: Cool on a Wire Rack

Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack before decorating. This step is crucial because if the cupcakes are warm, the candy melts won’t set properly.

Step 6: Make the Candy Moons

Here’s where the fun Halloween magic happens! Use a biscuit cutter or any round mold to trace moon shapes onto parchment paper taped to a cookie sheet (trace on the back side so it’s smooth when you flip it). Melt yellow candy melts and either squeeze or pipe around the traced circle lines first, then fill in. Add yellow sugar sprinkles right away to cover any uneven spots, then pop them in the freezer for 10 minutes to set. Once hardened, shake off excess sprinkles and flip each moon over.

Dip small lollipop sticks in more melted yellow candy and place them on the back center of each moon. Freeze again for 10 minutes so the sticks hold firmly. These moons will be the charming topper on our cupcakes!

Step 7: Dip Cupcakes & Decorate

Finally, melt black candy melts for the cupcake dipping. Take a cooled cupcake and dip the top quickly in the melted candy, then immediately dip it into colored sugar sprinkles for texture and sparkle. You want to add the moon and any additional picks right away because the candy sets fast. Adding moons while the candy’s still wet ensures they stick perfectly!

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Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Spice Pudding Halloween Cupcakes Recipe

Measure Flour Correctly: I learned the hard way that spooning and leveling your flour prevents dense cupcakes, so don’t just scoop with the cup.
Mix Batter Thoroughly but Don’t Overbeat: Mixing for 2 minutes is ideal; overmixing can cause tough cupcakes.
Cool Completely Before Decorating: Candy melts won’t set properly on warm cupcakes and will slide off.
Add Decorations Quickly: The moment you dip the cupcake in the candy, add moons and sprinkles right away before the candy hardens for perfect adhesion.

How to Serve Pumpkin Spice Pudding Halloween Cupcakes Recipe

The image shows a group of cupcakes in white cupcake liners with black polka dots. Each cupcake has one layer of purple and orange sugar sprinkles on top, creating a rough texture. On top of each cupcake is a round, bright yellow, sugar-coated cookie standing vertically at the back. In front of each cookie is a small black cat figure with yellow eyes, standing with its tail up and curved. The cupcakes are placed on a white marbled textured surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For garnishes, I stick to festive sprinkles that pair well with the Halloween moons—think orange, black, and purple sugar crystals or tiny candy pumpkins. Sometimes a dusting of edible glitter adds a subtle magic touch without taking away from the bold pumpkin spice flavor.

Side Dishes

These cupcakes are a sweet centerpiece, so I usually pair them with light savories like spiced nuts or a mild cheese board for balance at parties. For drinks, warm apple cider or chai tea complement the pumpkin spice perfectly and keep everyone cozy.

Creative Ways to Present

One year I arranged the cupcakes on a tiered stand decorated with autumn leaves and tiny faux pumpkins for a stunning effect. Another fun idea is to serve them in mini cauldrons as a spooky surprise, or wrapped individually in clear bags tied with ribbon for grab-and-go party favors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them fresh and safe from melting candy melts. They usually last about 3-4 days this way, though they’re rarely around that long!

Freezing

You can freeze unfrosted cupcakes wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in a freezer bag. Just thaw fully before decorating with candy melts and assembling the moons. I wouldn’t recommend freezing fully decorated cupcakes because the candy toppings can become brittle or decorate damage.

Reheating

If you want to warm the cupcakes slightly, gently heat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds without decorations, then add your candy melts and moons fresh. This keeps textures intact and flavors vibrant without melting your beautiful decorations!

FAQs

Can I use instant pudding mix instead of pumpkin spice pudding?

Yes! If you can’t find pumpkin spice pudding mix, using instant vanilla or butterscotch pudding mix works well too—just add your own pumpkin spice blend to the batter to keep that signature fall flavor.
What if I don’t have apple cider?

No worries! You can substitute apple juice or even milk, but apple cider offers that subtle tang that brightens up the cupcakes and complements the pumpkin spices beautifully.
How do I prevent the candy melts from drying too fast?

Keep your candy melts warm by microwaving in short bursts and stirring frequently. Working quickly after dipping cupcakes is also key—add decorations immediately before the coating hardens.
Can these cupcakes be made ahead for a party?

Absolutely! You can bake and freeze the raw cupcakes ahead, then thaw and decorate on the day of your event to keep them fresh and festive.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Pumpkin Spice Pudding Halloween Cupcakes Recipe brings a little extra joy and warmth to my fall baking—especially with those cute moon decorations that make them feel special. If you want a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make and tastes like fall in every bite, this recipe should definitely be on your list. I’m betting you’ll find it becomes your go-to pumpkin spice treat too, just like it did for me!