It's that time of year when everyone is reaching for pumpkin flavored foods. This healthy Pumpkin Cupcake Recipe is my go-to choice! It is so simple to make, and delicious. The instructions below are simple, and you've probably already seen this mentioned on other websites or specifically, in Weight Watchers groups. At only 2 SmartPoints per cupcake, it is definitely a popular option!
Healthy Pumpkin Cupcake Recipe
This post contains affiliate links from Amazon. I may earn a commission from purchases made via these links.
I make these into 24 cupcakes or muffins. They are a bit denser than a typical cupcake, so some would consider them more of a muffin. I use regular cupcake or muffin tins. You can spray the pan, or you can use liners. That is totally your preference.
My favorite two muffin tins are the silicone muffin tin and these Faberware Non-Stick muffin tins. I prefer these because they are super easy to clean and don't stick or burn easily.
Vegan or Gluten Free Options: These are accidentally a vegan recipe since most cake mixes are actually vegan until you put the oil, butter, egg into them. Since you do not use that in this recipe, you are already eating a vegan treat. Just watch ingredient lists if this is a concern, as not all brands are vegan. You can also use a gluten free cake mix and have the same results, but the points would be 4 SmartPoints per cupcake since there aren't often sugar-free gluten-free cake mixes available.
- 1 box Sugar-Free Yellow Cake Mix
- 1 can (15oz) 100% Pumpkin Puree
- 1 cup water
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, mix the dry cake mix with pumpkin puree and water. *Do not add any oil, egg, or other recommended items on cake mix packaging!
- Spray or line cupcake or muffin tin.
- Fill each liner ½ full.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 20-22 minutes or until toothpick in center comes out clean.
Makes 24 Cupcakes
2 SmartPoints per cupcake
Not everyone loves a strong pumpkin spice flavor, and that is part of why I love these. They are super mild and don't have an overpowering pumpkin spice flavor. In fact, they are straight pumpkin, not the pumpkin pie mix, so if you want more of a pumpkin spice flavor you need to add that separately.
Weight Watchers SmartPoints Snack Ideas
As someone who likes a nice sweet treat every day, this easily fits into my points. At only 2 SmartPoints per cupcake or muffin, they make a good breakfast option, but also an excellent snack. You can dress them up for just 1 more point by adding in some dark chocolate chips in the batter, coconut flakes, or even a small teaspoon of cream cheese frosting.
As you navigate the SmartPoints program with Weight Watchers, you'll learn that snacking helps to stay satisfied. Choosing some good low point SmartPoints Snacks is a must. Alongside some fresh raw fruits and vegetables, this is one treat that feels decadent but is low in calories, fat, and points value.
Make these healthy pumpkin cupcake recipe year round, or simply during the always popular pumpkin spice season of Fall. You are sure to appreciate the ease of making these, along with the delicious flavor!
More Weight Watchers Desserts:
Weight Watchers Pumpkin Pie Eggroll
Weight Watchers Pumpkin Pie Tarts
Oreo Pudding Chocolate Lasagna
Check out Where I Party with other bloggers sharing great recipes and crafts!
Linda Katz
Which size can of pumpkin? 15oz or 29 oz ?
Katie
Choose a 12oz or 15oz can of 100% pumpkin puree.
Katie
Pumpkin puree is the plain canned pumpkin without any spices or additions. If you are making your own by cooking down pumpkin, you could use that. Otherwise what is listed is the plain pumpkin. 🙂
Jean cravens
I can't wait to try these.I don't make many desserts because I want to eat to much of it,but these will be perfect.
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome
Would that be about 2 cups of pumpkin? I use fresh cooked and not canned - and these look great! Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner party!
Katie
It is a 12oz can 🙂 So 1 1/2 cups.
Miz Helen
Your Pumpkin Cupcakes will be awesome! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday,we are so happy to have you join us. Have a wonderful week and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen
Sheree Thomas
Thanks for sharing this recipe on the Simply Sweet Home Linky Party. You were my choice for this week's Feature Friday. Stop by the blog and Grab your I've Been Featured Button.
Valerie Lawrence
Question? Where do you get the ww sugar free cake mix.
Katie
I have found them at both Walmart and Meijer in my area. They are usually on the bottom shelf in the cake mix area. You can also look in the specialty diets section, or order online from Amazon.
Debbie Lakey
Could I use one cup of unsweetened applesauce instead of the one cup of water?
Katie
You could definitely try that. I do not know how well it would work.
Debbie K Lakey
I would like to add pumpkin pie spice but I'm not sure how much.
Katie
I would start with 1/2 teaspoon and see if it enough. Some like it super pumpkin spiced flavor so 1 teaspoon would work if you really like a richer flavor of the spice.
Amanda
How do you calculate the points per cupcake? The pumpkin is 0 and the entire box of sugar free cake mix is 4 points to my understanding. Am I misreading it? Should it be 4 points per serving of one cupcake (when making 24 cupcakes) or 4 points for the entire batch?
Katie
The entire box of cake mix is much more. You have to multiply the nutritional information on the box by the number of servings the box makes 🙂 The points listed here are correct.
Victoria
Once these are baked, can they be frozen? It's just me, so 24 cupcakes would be crazy! lol
Natasha
Made these yesterday. They are delicious!!! Do these freeze well? I have them in the fridge, they are so good cold but thinking I might have to freeze some depending on how long they stay good. Thank you for sharing such a great recipe!
Katie Hale
Yes - they freeze well. Just make sure they are completely cooled so no condensation builds in the container 🙂