This homemade pumpkin buttercream frosting takes just 5 minutes to prep and has all of the flavors of a pumpkin pie! Real pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice are used to make this fool-proof frosting that tastes amazing on my easy pumpkin cake, moist pumpkin cupcakes, and so many other fall treats.
Why You'll Love This Buttercream Recipe
- So easy to make. What I love about American buttercreams are their quick prep times. It takes just 5 minutes to make this pumpkin frosting. No cook time and everything gets whipped up in a stand mixer bowl.
- Real pumpkin flavor. Pumpkin desserts are truly the best when made with real pumpkin puree. I also added both my homemade pumpkin pie spice and ground cinnamon to add even more fall flavors.
- Smooth & creamy. You can easily pipe this frosting onto cupcakes or spread over the top of cake layers.
- Just 6 ingredients. This pumpkin spice frosting is made to perfection with just 6 simple pantry ingredients!
In order to make this pumpkin frosting, I tested it about 6+ times and used my classic vanilla buttercream recipe as inspiration.
With the addition of the pumpkin flavor and just a little bit of cinnamon, it has the best flavors of autumn!
Jump to:
One of my favorite ingredients to work with as a home baker is pumpkin! Whether it's these pumpkin cheesecake stuffed cookies or these pumpkin chocolate chip cupcakes, I just can't get enough.
Ingredients for Easy Pumpkin Frosting
- Butter: I used unsalted butter, which is my go-to for all of my best frosting recipes.
- Pumpkin Puree: I recommend using a canned pumpkin puree and not homemade. That way it's less watery. Please, do not use canned pumpkin pie filling!
- Pumpkin Spice: Use a homemade spice blend you already have or you can also just buy this from the store.
See the recipe card for the full ingredients list and the exact amounts.
How to Make The Best Pumpkin Buttercream Frosting
Follow along below for the step-by-step process.
Step 1: In a large bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy.
Step 2: Add the powdered sugar, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon and mix together on low speed until combined.
Step 3: Increase the speed to high and beat for another 1-2 minutes until the frosting is super smooth and creamy.
Step 4: I like to use this frosting on top of cupcakes or on cake.
Professional Home Baking Tips
- Room Temperature: The butter needs to be at room temperature in order to create the perfect consistency of buttercream frosting. If you start with cold butter, you'll have a difficult time getting the frosting to come together.
- Pumpkin: Use pumpkin puree for the best pumpkin flavor.
- Baked Desserts: Make sure any dessert you use this frosting on is completely cooled before frosting. If not, the frosting will melt right off.
- Powdered Sugar: Do not reduce the amount of powdered sugar this recipe calls for. It's what helps to stabilize the frosting and gives it that smooth and creamy texture without being wet and runny.
Ways To Use This Homemade Pumpkin Frosting
This recipe makes enough frosting to perfectly frost 12 cupcakes, like these pumpkin spice latte cupcakes or these chocolate pumpkin cupcakes.
If you want to layer a cake with it, I recommend 2x the recipe for any 2 or 3 layered cake. If making a pumpkin sheet cake, there's no need to make extra!
Recipe FAQs
If you're going to use it in the next 24 hours, you can keep it on the counter at room temperature. Otherwise, you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. To freeze, just place it in an airtight container and keep frozen for up to 2 months.
Absolutely. Just swap the unsalted butter for salted butter.
If your frosting is too thin, add 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar at a time until you've reached your desire thickness.
📖 Recipe
Homemade 5 Minute Pumpkin Buttercream Frosting
Equipment
- Electric Stand Mixer
- Piping Bag
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
- In the bowl of an electric stand mixer using the paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy (about 1-2 minutes).
- Add the powdered sugar, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon and mix on low speed until combined (about 30 seconds).
- Then increase the speed to high and beat for another 1-2 minutes (frosting should be light and creamy).
- Use it to frost your favorite cupcakes and cake recipes!
I never knew you could make a pumpkin frosting! It tastes like the flavors of a pumpkin pie and I absolutely love it on top of my pumpkin cupcakes.