Pumpkin muffins with just a box of cake mix and a can of pumpkin. It seems like it's too good to be true. Is this Pinterest Pin {MYTH} or {FACT}?
I started this recipe fully intending to use just the cake mix and a 15 ounce can of pumpkin. I chose to use a spice cake mix for added flavor since pumpkin on its own isn't very flavorful. I added the two ingredients to my mixer bowl and started mixing. The batter got so thick it was more like a dough. I knew the muffins would turn out hard and chewy if I made them like this, so I added an egg for extra moisture. It was still too dry, so I added 1/3 cup apple sauce. It was getting better, but it was still too thick. 1 1/3 cups of milk later, and I finally had something resembling a cake batter. I poured it into my muffin tin and baked them for the time indicated on the box.
20 minutes later
The muffins were done baking! I popped them out of the pan and tasted one. The flavor was delicious, but since I had to mix the batter so long to get the consistency right, it had gone a little flat. Without the extra mixing I'm sure these would have been great! They tasted very rich even though they were relatively healthy (for something that has cake in it, that is).
Conclusion
This pin is a {MYTH}
Don't make these muffins with a can of pumpkin and a boxed cake mix. It's just too good to be true. Your muffins will be way too thick and lumpy. Add a few more ingredients and your muffins will be much better. You're still getting away with making pumpkin muffins with a cake mix after all.
Final Recipe
1 box spice cake mix (or yellow if you don't want the spices or would rather add your own)
1 egg
1 15 ounce can of pumpkin
1/3 cup apple sauce (or oil if you don't mind the fat)
1 1/3 cup milk or water
Mix all ingredients with mixer on low speed until combined. Beat 2 minutes on high. Pour batter into prepared muffin pan (I used silicone liners, they work great). Bake at the temperature on your cake mix box (probably 350 degrees Fahrenheit) for the time indicated (anywhere from 15-25 minutes) until toothpick comes out clean.
I hope you enjoy this recipe. Any Pinterest pins you would like tested? Let me know!
