These Low-Carb Keto Pumpkin Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting have a super-soft crumb, are perfectly spiced, and are ultra-moist and tender. They're like eating pumpkin pie in cupcake form!
I've been making these Keto Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes every fall for about seven years now, and we can't get enough of them!
Made with almond and coconut flour, sweetened with a diet-friendly sweetener, and made with avocado oil - these are super healthy.
❤️ Why You'll Love These Sugar-Free Pumpkin Cupcakes: They are easy to make, perfectly spiced, have a super-soft crumb, are perfectly moist, and are healthy, gluten-free, low-carb, and keto!
Or if you want to go straight to the pumpkin pie, check out my keto pumpkin pie recipe!
And don't forget the cream cheese frosting! In my opinion, the frosting isn't optional. It takes these keto cupcakes to the next level of deliciousness!
And if you're looking for more low-carb pumpkin recipes, I think you'll love these pumpkin cookies, pumpkin bread, and pumpkin smoothie recipes!
Or if you're looking for muffins, these Paleo Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins from Perchance To Cook look amazing, too!
Ingredients
Here are the easy ingredients you will need for the cupcakes:
- Blanched Almond Flour - Low-carb flour.
- Coconut Flour - Another low-carb flour. It is very absorbent and makes the cupcakes super soft!
- Keto Granulated Sweetener - I've only tested this with an erythritol-based sweetener, but I'd imagine xylitol or a monk/fruit allulose blend would make the crumb extra soft!
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder - For rising.
- Sea Salt - Enhances the flavor.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice - Delicious fall spice!
- Ground Cinnamon - Because pumpkin pie spice never has enough cinnamon!
- Pure Pumpkin Puree - NOT pumpkin pie filling!
- Large Eggs- For moisture and binding.
- Large Egg White - My secret ingredient to give these low-carb cupcakes the perfect texture!
- Avocado Oil - Adds moisture and richness.
- Pure Vanilla - If possible, try to use pure vanilla and not the imitation variety.
And here are the easy frosting ingredients:
- Butter - It's important that the butter is at room temperature for the texture to be correct.
- Cream Cheese - Be sure to use the block variety, not the kind in the tub.
- Keto Powdered Sweetener - While any variety can be used, I prefer a powdered monk fruit/allulose blend.
- Pure Vanilla - Try to use pure vanilla if possible.
- Sea Salt - Optional, if frosting is too sweet
- Heavy Cream - Unsweetened non-dairy milk can be substituted. I don't recommend traditional milk because of the added carbs.
The sweetener
For the sweetener, I like to use a Monk Fruit Erythritol Blend.
I have only tested these with an erythritol-based sweetener. However, I'd imagine xylitol or a monk/fruit allulose blend would make the crumb extra soft!
For the powdered sweetener in the frosting, I prefer to use powdered monk fruit with allulose. It tastes just like powdered sugar and results in a super-smooth texture.
While, technically, powdered erythritol can be used, I prefer not to use erythritol-based sweeteners in glazes and frostings.
Erythritol can leave a slight cooling-like aftertaste and doesn't usually result in a super-smooth texture.
For more information on the pros and cons of the different low-carb sweeteners, you may want to check out this Ultimate Guide To Keto Sweeteners!
Coconut flour
A word of caution when it comes to coconut flour: not all coconut flours are the same! Some are much more absorbent than others.
I prefer to use Arrowhead Mills or Bob's Red Mill Coconut Flour because I know these two brands are soft, absorbent, and will work well in this recipe. While other brands *may* work, I can't guarantee the results.
🔪 Easy instructions
These are incredibly quick and easy to make - only requiring two bowls and a mixing spoon!
Step #1: Start by whisking together all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Step #2: In a separate bowl, whisk together four eggs, an egg white, pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling!), pure vanilla, and avocado oil.
💭Tip: The egg white is my secret ingredient to give these muffins the perfect texture!
Step #3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix well. Then, evenly distribute the batter into 12 lined muffin cups. Smooth the tops with your fingers if needed.
Step #4: Bake at 350 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes, or until the tops are nicely browned and no longer look doughy. If the tops are browning too fast, loosely cover with foil.
Allow the low-carb pumpkin cupcakes to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin tin, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely and frost with keto cream cheese frosting.
The frosting
Step #1: Cream together room-temperature butter and cream cheese.
For the butter, I highly recommend using organic and grass-fed. Not only does it taste 1000 times better, but it packs a nutritional punch that regular butter just doesn’t have.
It’s also important that the butter is softened to room temperature. If you don’t have time to allow the butter to soften, check out this tutorial on How To Soften Butter Quickly from Sally’s Baking Addiction.
Step #2: Slowly add in the powdered low-carb sweetener, pure vanilla, and a pinch of sea salt. Beat until thickened and smooth.
Storage
Cupcakes are best eaten on the same day. However, here's how to store leftovers:
- Store: These keto cupcakes can be stored loosely covered at room temperature for one day. Unfrosted cupcakes can be stored, tightly wrapped, in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
- Freeze: Individually wrap the cupcakes tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe baggie for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before eating. While they can be frozen with the frosting, the texture is slightly affected, so it's best to freeze the cupcakes without frosting.
Substitutions
- If you can't do dairy, feel free to use dairy-free cream cheese and dairy-free butter. It will have a slightly stronger cream cheese flavor, and you may need a bit more powdered sweetener to thicken it up.
- For the sweetener, I like to use a Monk Fruit Erythritol Blend. I have only tested these with an erythritol-based sweetener. However, I'd imagine xylitol or a monk/fruit allulose blend would make the crumb extra soft!
- I prefer powdered monk fruit with allulose for the powdered sweetener in the frosting. It tastes just like powdered sugar and results in a super-smooth texture. However, an erythritol-based sweetener will work.
- Be sure to use a block of cream cheese, not the spread, or the frosting will turn out runny.
💭 Top tips
- A word of caution when it comes to coconut flour: not all coconut flours are the same! Some are much more absorbent than others. I prefer to use Arrowhead Mills or Bob's Red Mill Coconut Flour because I know these two brands are soft absorbent and will work well in this recipe. While other brands *may* work, I can't guarantee the results.
- It’s important that the butter is softened to room temperature. If you don’t have time to allow the butter to soften, check out this tutorial on How To Soften Butter Quickly from Sally’s Baking Addiction.
- In my opinion, the cream cheese frosting isn't optional. It takes these muffins to the next level of deliciousness!
If you’ve tried these Low-Carb Keto Pumpkin Muffins or any other recipe on the blog, please let me know in the comments below!
Craving more? FOLLOW ME on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, or E-Mail to find more delicious food!
๐ Recipe
Low-Carb Keto Pumpkin Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Blanched Almond Flour - very finely ground
- 6 Tbsp. Coconut Flour
- ¾ Cup Keto Granulated Sweetener - see notes below
- ½ tsp. Baking Soda
- 1 tsp. Baking Powder
- ½ tsp. Sea Salt
- 1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
- 1 ½ tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice
- ¾ Cup Pure Pumpkin - NOT pumpkin pie filling!
- 4 Large Eggs
- 1 Large Egg White
- ¼ Cup Avocado Oil
- 2 tsp. Pure Vanilla
Keto Cream Cheese Frosting:
- ½ Cup Butter - room temperature
- 8 oz. Block Cream Cheese - softened
- 1 Cup Powdered Monk Fruit/Allulose Sweetener - see notes below for substitutions
- 1 tsp. Pure Vanilla
- 1 pinch Sea Salt - optional, if frosting is too sweet
- Heavy Cream or Unsweetened Non-Dairy Milk - optional, as needed to thin frosting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a muffin tin with 12 muffin cups. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, sweetener, baking soda, baking powder, sea salt, ground cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg white, pure pumpkin, pure vanilla, and avocado oil.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix well.
- Evenly distribute the batter between the 12 baking cups. Smooth out the tops with your fingers if needed.
- Bake for 20 - 25 minutes, or until the tops are nicely browned and no longer look doughy. If tops are browning too fast, loosely cover with foil.
- Then, allow to cool 5 minutes in the muffin tin then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Frost with cream cheese frosting.
- Cupcakes can be stored, unfrosted, tightly covered at room temperature 1 day, in the fridge for 2 to 3 days, or can be frozen up to 3 months.
Keto Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Add the room temperature butter and cream cheese to a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until combined, about 2 minutes.
- Slowly beat in the powdered sweetener until thick and creamy, scraping down the bowl as necessary.
- Beat in the vanilla until incorporated and a pinch of sea salt if it's too sweet. Thin with non-dairy milk and thicken with additional powdered sweetener if needed.
- Frosting is best eaten the same day, However, leftover frosting can be stored, tightly covered, in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
Add Your Own Notes
Video
Notes
- See how easy this recipe is to make on my YouTube channel! Watch the full video here: Keto Pumpkin Cupcakes YouTube Video!
- In my opinion, the cream cheese frosting isn't optional. It takes these muffins to the next level of deliciousness!
- A word of caution when it comes to coconut flour: not all coconut flours are the same! Some are much more absorbent than others. I prefer to use Arrowhead Mills or Bob's Red Mill Coconut Flour because I know these two brands and soft, absorbent, and will work well in this recipe. While other brands *may* work, I can't guarantee the results.
- For the sweetener, I like to use a Monk Fruit Erythritol Blend. I have only tested these with an erythritol-based sweetener, however, I'd imagine xylitol or a monk/fruit allulose blend would make the crumb extra soft!
- For the powdered sweetener in the frosting, I prefer to use powdered monk fruit with allulose. It tastes just like powdered sugar and results in a super-smooth texture. However, any powdered sweetener will work.
- For the frosting, be sure that you use a block of cream cheese and not cream cheese spread or the frosting will turn out runny. It’s also important that the butter is softened to room temperature. If you don’t have time to allow the butter to soften, though, check out this tutorial on How To Soften Butter Quickly from Sally’s Baking Addiction. For the cream cheese, you can just pop it in the microwave for about 10 seconds to soften 👍
- As a special gift to my readers, I've teamed up with Besti Sweeteners to give you guys 10% off! Simply use the code "CRAVEABLE" at checkout.
Nutrition
NET CARBS = Total Carbs - Fiber - Allulose - Xylitol
Nutritional information is approximate and may vary. Sugar alcohols, xylitol, and allulose are included in the total carbs and fiber.
Looking for more information on the keto diet? Check out my
Theresa says
Have you tried this with sprouted flour?
Cassidy says
Hi Theresa,
I haven't tried these with sprouted flour so I don't know how these would turn out with sprouted flour - sorry!
XO,
Cassidy
Martha roberts says
Can I replace the avocado oil with olive oil?
Cassidy Stauffer says
While I haven't tried it, I'd imagine it would work just fine๐ Please come back and let me know what you thought!!!
-Cassidy
Hillary Miller says
Hi Cassidy,
What a wonderful pics of Pumpkin Spice Muffins With Cream Cheese Frosting you have here.
Perhaps you're interested to submit your food photos on a food photography site that has tagline "Food Photography that will make you hungry" :)โจhttp://www.foodporn.net
It's free to submit, free to join, and a lot of members can enjoy your creation!
Cindy DG says
YUM YUM I love pumpkin! This is my fav time of year! Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! Thanks for helping get our party kicked off this week! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! ๐ I hope that you'll join us this week! Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com
Kammie @ Sensual Appeal says
Nom nom... pumpkin! These are adorable!