These Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes are a great copycat of the popular Starbucks fall drink. The pumpkin, coffee, and spices go together so well. And who can resist cute pumpkin cupcakes with a fun green straw?
So a few weeks ago, my family and I had a chance to go see Hillsong Live in concert. It was amazing being in a room with that many people just praising and worshiping our God.
I think my favorite part of the night was when the lead singer had them turn off all the lights in the room, and then he asked the audience to turn on their cell phone lights and hold them up.
That many lights together were able to shine out and make the room bright enough to see again. It was a great reminder to keep on being a light in the dark world that we live in.
It is easy to get discouraged by all the things that go on around us from day to day, but God is mighty to save and He has conquered the grave to give us a light to shine.
I know I am so thankful that God loves me know matter what failures and fears I have in this life. I mess up on a daily basis, but Jesus is always there to encourage me and love me without fail.
What an honor it is to be able to shine like a light to those around me. The song that Hillsong sang next was Mighty to Save. It is one of my favorite songs that we sing in our church. (You can click the name of the song to hear it, if you are interested.) I am so thankful for a mighty God!!!
As we were driving home from the concert, we passed through a small town. I could see their town sign in the distance, and I swear it looked just like a giant cupcake with writing. I turned to my husband and asked him if he saw "the cupcake".
Of course, he just thought I was a little crazy. Then he just laughed and asked how long it had been since I had eaten cupcakes.
I guess if I am seeing giant cupcakes in the dark, it has been waaaaay too long since eating my last one. I needed to make cupcakes right away!
Now that it is September and Starbucks pumpkin spice lattes are all the rage, I decided to make a copycat version of the drink as a pumpkin cupcake.
Pumpkin and coffee just go together so well. These pumpkin spice cupcakes was light with a certain dense quality from the pumpkin. But I have to tell you, it was the whipped coffee frosting that really made this cupcake.
It was so light and fluffy...I just wanted to sit in my kitchen and eat all of it with a spoon.
How to make Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes:
- Combine the cake mix, pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, coffee, and spices in a bowl and mix.
- Spoon the batter evenly into 24 cupcake liners, bake, and cool.
- Heat the white chocolate and cream in a saucepan until melted and smooth. Remove and let cool.
- Whisk together water and instant coffee, then add butter and beat until creamy.
- Pour in the cooled white chocolate mixture and beat again until creamy.
- Slowly add the powdered sugar
Since we had a picnic to attend, I topped the easy pumpkin cupcakes with the white chocolate mocha frosting right away. And of course, little mini green straws were the absolute perfect extra touch! (Yes, I know latte's do NOT come with straws...just humor me!)
Other delicious Starbucks inspired cupcakes you may like:
- Caramel Caffe Mocha Cupcakes
- Salted Caramel Mocha Brownie Cups
- Toffee Mocha Cupcakes
- Eggnog Latte Cupcakes
- S'mores Frappuccino Cupcakes
Recipe
Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes
These Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes have a white chocolate cinnamon coffee frosting. They are a delicious copycat of the popular fall Starbucks drink.
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- 1 box spice cake mix
- 1 - 15 ounce can pumpkin puree
- 3 eggs
- ⅓ cup oil
- ⅓ cup brewed coffee, cooled
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
For the Frosting
- 2 teaspoons hot water
- 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
- 6 ounces baking white chocolate squares, chopped
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Place 24 cupcake liners in a pan.
- Combine the cake mix, pumpkin, eggs, oil, coffee, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl. Beat on low for 1 minute, and beat on medium for 2 minutes.
- Spoon evenly into the cupcake liners. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Cool completely
- Stir the hot water and instant coffee until dissolved. Set aside.
- Heat the white chocolate and heavy cream over low-medium heat until melted and smooth. Let cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Place the butter and coffee mixture into a bowl and beat for 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly pour in the melted chocolate mixture and beat until creamy.
- Slowly add the powdered sugar and cinnamon on low speed. Increase the speed to high and and beat until thick and fluffy. This will take about 5 minutes.
- Use a piping bag and icing tip 2D to frost cupcakes. Keep refrigerated. Makes 24 cupcakes.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos
Bring on the pumpkin - these look amazing, Jocelyn! So fun that you got to see Hillsong Live - I bet that was incredible 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Becca!! 😉 It was an awesome experience! I would highly recommend their concert to anyone!!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes
What wonderful cupcakes!! I am going to see Hillsong Live in November in Florida...can't wait! Love their music.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Ashley!! Yaay! Hillsong is the best!! 😉
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
Any cupcake with the word latte in it is consider acceptable for breakfast! But let's face it, I will use any excuse to eat a pumpkin cupcake.
Jocelyn Brubaker
That's exactly what I was hoping to hear! LOL! And meeee toooo!! 😉
Averie @ Averie Cooks
I was going to make pumpkin cupcakes this week. Yours are way prettier than anything I could make! Okay, scratching that recipe off and putting something else on 🙂 Your icing is PERFECT!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Awww, I bet yours would be amazing girl!! Thank you so much though!! That means a lot coming from you! I adore your cooking/baking!! Xoxo
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
SUPER gorgeous!!! I think this is my favorite pumpkin cookie EVER.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Dorothy! LOL how did you know I made pumpkin cookies this week too though 😉 haha! Just giving you a hard time!!! Hugs!
Jenn
These sound and look fabulous.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Jenn!! 🙂
Jill @ KitchenFunWithMy3Sons
I love pumpkin and these look amazing!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Jill!! 😉
Happy Valley Chow
You definitely got some fantastic cupcake recipes on your blog. Thanks for sharing!
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Eric!! That makes me smile from ear to ear to hear that!! 😉
Laura @ Lauras Baking Talent
Love the song Mighty to Save... one of my favorites. What a great experience to see them live 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
It was one of my favorite concerts ever!! 😉
Karyl
these sound amazing! i'm a pumpkin and eggnog fiend.....and cupcakes of course!
and yes....GOD is mighty!!!!
even with all of life's struggles, we can easily see all of the amazing blessings he has given us! <3
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Karyl!! Amen sista!! 😉
Vanessa
I love pumpkin spice lattes. It's one of my favorite things about fall. Haha, I've had cupcakes melt in the sun before. I bet they tasted delicious though.
Jocelyn Brubaker
They are one of my favorites too! Not pretty, but yes, still so delicious! Lol! Thanks Vanessa!!
marcie@flavorthemoments
These cupcakes are gorgeous, and I love that there's coffee and pumpkin in them! Looks so delicious, Jocelyn!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much Marcie!! Pumpkin goes perfectly with coffee!! 😉
LuAnn Braley
I feel a cupcake binge coming on! *LOL*
Alyson - Lift, Bend, Bake
Love this spin on the Starbucks classic!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks so much Alyson!! 😉
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
Okay I laughed at the melted icing. I'm a cupcake tragic and I would have eaten them anyway. The unmelted ones are gorgeous.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, thanks Maureen!! Some people did eat them even though they were melted! Die hard cupcake lovers for sure! 😉
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life
Worship is my favorite part church. That is the coolest picture with all the lights! I've never seen a cupcake shape at night, but it might start with these in my dreams. Wow, that frosting looks so fluffy! And I adore those cupcake liners - SO festive!
Jocelyn Brubaker
It's my favorite part of church too! Haha, maybe I'm the only one who sees cupcake shapes in the dark! 😉 Thank you so much Mary!!
Tieghan
Oh these look just too good! I have still not broken into the pumpkin yet, but these cupcakes and the bread with the gorgeous chocolate swirl on top are so tempting! I think it is time!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
You totally need to pop open that pumpkin can and jump into the lovely orange goodness!! 😉 It's time!! Lol! Thanks Tieghan!!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
These look wonderful! The flavors I bet are great together! Oh and I love Hillsong and I am certain that song will remain in my head all day now! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Nancy!! 🙂 That song was in my head all week after the concert!! Haha! Awesome song!
karen smith
i love to go to Christian concerts ...if there was only one concert that i could go to it would be hillsong live... top concert experience ever - the presence of the LORD so full in the place. as close as it gets to heaven here on earth! thanks for sharing - your recipes and your love of the Lord, sister!
He is alive!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Love this comment!! 😉 Thank you for sharing with me too! I know exactly what you mean about the presence of the Lord at Hillsong concerts...It is quite amazing!!
Shaina
I love this time of year, pumpkin is the best! I was so excited when Starbucks got the PSL back and went right away to get one! These cupcakes are adorable with the little green straw, love it!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I absolutely agree!! 😉 It is definitely one of my favorite coffee flavors from Starbucks! Thanks so much Shaina!