Sweet Potato Pie Cupcakes

The idea of transforming that beloved pie into individual cupcakes seemed like a perfect way to create a fun and portable treat. I wanted to capture all the elements of sweet potato pie – the spiced sweet potato filling, the graham cracker crust, and the marshmallow topping – in a cupcake form.

I envisioned a moist, spiced sweet potato cupcake with a buttery graham cracker crust at the bottom, topped with a fluffy marshmallow frosting and garnished with toasted pecans and cinnamon sugar.

This recipe is the result of that vision, a perfect blend of flavors and textures in a delightful cupcake form. It’s a recipe that’s sure to be a hit with sweet potato pie lovers.

Nostalgic Appeal

Sweet potato pie is a quintessential Southern dessert, often associated with Thanksgiving, holidays, and family gatherings. It evokes feelings of warmth, comfort, and tradition.

The combination of sweet potatoes, warm spices, and a buttery crust is timeless. It’s a flavor profile that’s both familiar and satisfying.

Cupcakes, too, hold a special place in many hearts. They’re often associated with birthdays, parties, and celebrations.

These Sweet Potato Pie Cupcakes tap into that nostalgia, offering a fun and creative way to enjoy the classic flavors of sweet potato pie in a new and exciting format.

Homemade Focus (with Shortcuts)

While this recipe utilizes convenient shortcuts with the yellow cake mix and marshmallow crème, the emphasis is still on creating a homemade experience. The combination of ingredients and the assembly of the cupcakes add a personal touch.

Using a cake mix allows us to focus on the other elements, such as the graham cracker crust and the marshmallow frosting, making this recipe approachable for bakers of all skill levels. It’s very easy.

The homemade graham cracker crust and the fluffy marshmallow frosting elevate the entire cupcake. They’re key elements.

This recipe strikes a perfect balance between convenience and homemade goodness, making it ideal for both busy weeknights and special occasions.

Flavor Goal

The primary objective of this recipe is to create a cupcake that perfectly captures the essence of sweet potato pie, with a moist, spiced cake, a buttery graham cracker crust, and a fluffy marshmallow frosting.

The yellow cake mix, combined with canned sweet potato puree, cinnamon, and nutmeg, creates a moist and flavorful base that mimics the filling of a sweet potato pie.

The graham cracker crust at the bottom of each cupcake adds a buttery, slightly salty element and a satisfying crunch.

The marshmallow frosting, made with butter, marshmallow crème, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, provides a light and fluffy topping that complements the spiced cake and graham cracker crust perfectly.

The toasted pecans and cinnamon sugar garnish add a final touch of texture and flavor.

Ultimately, I wanted a cupcake that was both comforting and delicious, a treat that would transport you to a Southern Thanksgiving dinner with every bite.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that make these Sweet Potato Pie Cupcakes so special:

Yellow Cake Mix: This provides the base for the cupcakes, offering a convenient and consistent starting point.

Canned Sweet Potato Puree: This is the key ingredient, providing the signature sweet potato flavor and moisture to the cupcakes.

Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These warm spices enhance the sweet potato flavor and create a classic sweet potato pie profile.

Graham Crackers (Crushed): These form the base of the crust, providing a buttery, slightly salty element.

Melted Butter: This binds the graham cracker crumbs together and adds richness to the crust.

Granulated Sugar: A touch of sugar adds sweetness to the graham cracker crust.

Kosher Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors in both the crust and the frosting.

Butter (Softened): This is the base of the marshmallow frosting, providing richness and creaminess.

Marshmallow Crème: This adds a light and fluffy texture and a sweet, marshmallow flavor to the frosting.

Powdered Sugar: This sweetens the frosting and helps to create a smooth texture.

Pure Vanilla Extract: Vanilla enhances the overall flavor of the frosting.

Chopped Toasted Pecans (for Garnish): These add a nutty crunch and a classic Southern touch.

Cinnamon Sugar (for Garnish): This adds a final touch of sweetness and spice.

Essential Equipment

You’ll need a few basic tools for this recipe:

Muffin Tin: This is for baking the cupcakes.

Cupcake Liners: These prevent the cupcakes from sticking to the tin and make cleanup easier.

Large Bowls (at least three): You’ll need bowls for mixing the batter, making the crust, and making the frosting.

Hand Mixer (or Stand Mixer): This is essential for making the frosting.

Spatula Essential

List of Ingredients with Measurements

Here’s a precise list of the ingredients, along with their exact measurements:

For the Cupcakes:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 (15-ounce) can sweet potato puree
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

For the Graham Cracker Crust:

• 1 cup crushed graham crackers
• 4 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• Pinch of kosher salt

For the Marshmallow Frosting:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 1 (7.5-ounce) container marshmallow crème
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of kosher salt
• Chopped toasted pecans, for garnish
• Cinnamon sugar, for garnish