Pumpkin Spice Glazed Cake Bites
Pumpkin Spice Glazed Cake Bites

These Pumpkin Spice Glazed Cake Bites are the perfect little fall treat! Soft, fluffy spice cake is covered in a sweet pumpkin spice glaze for a delicious bite-sized dessert that’s bursting with cozy fall flavor. They’re incredibly easy to make, perfect for sharing, and taste like you spent hours in the kitchen!
Hey!! It’s fall, y’all!!
I look forward to fall ALL year long! I am definitely not a summer girl. You can keep the sweaty days and buggy nights because I am over here counting down the days until I can wear boots and sweaters, make all my favorite soups, and bake everything pumpkin spice!
Plus, the only thing better than fall is Christmas, and fall means the Christmas countdown has officially begun! And we can’t forget Thanksgiving, which is one of my favorite holidays. Basically, everything I love starts happening in the fall!
My birthday is August 31st, and I celebrate by putting up all my fall decorations the very next day and baking pumpkin stuff. ALLLLL the pumpkin stuff!
Which brings me to these amazing Pumpkin Spice Glazed Cake Bites!
Some days I feel like spending hours in the kitchen making something completely from scratch. Other days, I just want something that tastes like I spent hours making it without actually doing all that work. LOL!
That’s where these little bites of heaven come in!
They start with a simple box of spice cake mix and get dipped in the most delicious homemade pumpkin spice glaze. The glaze gives them a sweet coating while helping keep the cake underneath wonderfully soft and moist.
They’re adorable, easy to make, and perfect for packaging up to share with friends.
Or you could just eat them in bed while binge-watching Netflix like I do. No judgment here!
Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Spice Glazed Cake Bites
There are so many reasons these little cakes have become one of my favorite fall treats!
- Super easy to make: A boxed cake mix keeps everything simple without sacrificing flavor.
- Full of fall flavor: Warm spices and a sweet pumpkin spice glaze make every bite taste like autumn.
- Perfectly bite-sized: These mini cakes are great for parties, bake sales, and holiday dessert trays.
- Great for sharing: Make a big batch and package them up for friends, neighbors, or teachers.
- Soft and moist: The sweet glaze coats each cake bite and helps keep it from drying out.
- Perfect for making ahead: You can bake the cakes ahead of time and glaze them when you’re ready.
And seriously, they’re just so cute!
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how few ingredients you need!
For the Cake Bites
Spice Cake Mix: This is my favorite shortcut! A box of spice cake mix gives these little cakes all those warm cinnamon and spice flavors without having to measure out a bunch of ingredients.
Water, Eggs, and Oil: Use the amounts listed on your cake mix box. Different brands may call for slightly different amounts.
You can also use a pumpkin cake mix if you can find one, but I personally love using spice cake because spice cake is my jam!
For the Pumpkin Spice Glaze
Powdered Sugar: Creates the sweet coating that makes these cake bites so delicious.
Water: Helps give the glaze the right consistency for dipping.
Corn Syrup: Helps create a smooth glaze that coats the cakes.
Pumpkin Pie Spice: Adds that cozy pumpkin spice flavor we all love.
Fall Sprinkles (Optional): I love adding a little sparkle with gold sugar sprinkles, but pumpkin sprinkles or any festive fall sprinkles would be adorable!
A quick note: These cake bites get their pumpkin spice flavor from the glaze. The original recipe uses spice cake mix rather than pumpkin puree.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Glazed Cake Bites
These little cakes are so easy to make, and most of the work is just dipping them in that amazing glaze!
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Muffin Pans
Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease your mini muffin pans.
You’ll need about 50 mini muffin cups, but don’t worry if you only have one pan. You can easily bake these in batches.
Step 2: Make the Cake Batter
Prepare your spice cake mix using the water, eggs, and oil called for on the package.
Beat the ingredients with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to medium speed and beat for another 2 minutes.
Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Step 3: Fill the Mini Muffin Cups
Spoon the batter into your prepared mini muffin cups, filling each one about halfway.
If you prefer smaller, rounder cake bites, you can fill the cups closer to one-third full.
Just remember that the cakes will rise as they bake!
Step 4: Bake the Cake Bites
Bake for 10–13 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack.
Allow them to cool completely, approximately 30 minutes, before glazing.
Step 5: Make the Pumpkin Spice Glaze
In a 3-quart saucepan, combine the powdered sugar, water, corn syrup, and pumpkin pie spice.
Heat over low heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar has dissolved and the glaze is smooth.
Remove from the heat.
The glaze should be thin enough to dip the cakes but thick enough to coat them.
Step 6: Dip the Cake Bites
Place a wire cooling rack over a baking sheet or waxed paper to catch any dripping glaze.
Carefully dip each cooled cake bite into the glaze, gently lift it out with a fork, and place it on the cooling rack with the top side facing down.
Add your sprinkles immediately after dipping each cake because the glaze starts setting quickly!
Step 7: Let the Glaze Set
Allow the glazed cake bites to sit for about 15 minutes, or until the glaze has set.
Then they’re ready to enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Spice Glazed Cake Bites
I’ve picked up a few helpful tips for making these little cakes, and I want to share them so yours turn out delicious!
Don’t overfill your muffin cups. Filling them halfway works for the original recipe, but if you want smaller cake bites instead of mini cupcakes, try filling them about one-third full.
Let the cakes cool completely. Warm cakes are much more delicate, and dipping them before they’ve cooled can cause them to break apart.
Watch your glaze consistency. The glaze should coat the cakes easily without being so thick that it pulls them apart.
Use a deep bowl or saucepan for dipping. This makes it easier to coat the cakes without having to flip them around too much.
Sprinkle immediately! The glaze sets pretty quickly, so decorate each cake bite as soon as it comes out of the glaze.
Use a cooling rack. This allows the excess glaze to drip away instead of collecting underneath the cakes.
Fun Variations
I love the original spice cake version, but there are a few easy ways to change these up!
Try Pumpkin Cake Mix: If you can find a boxed pumpkin cake mix, use it instead of spice cake for another delicious fall variation.
Change the Sprinkles: Gold sugar sprinkles are beautiful, but orange, brown, or pumpkin-shaped sprinkles would be perfect for Thanksgiving.
Make Them Extra Spiced: If you really love pumpkin spice, you can add a little extra pumpkin pie spice to the glaze to suit your taste.
Skip the Sprinkles: These are just as delicious with their simple, sweet pumpkin spice coating!
Perfect for Fall Parties and Holiday Gatherings
These Pumpkin Spice Glazed Cake Bites are one of my favorite desserts to make when I need something easy for a crowd.
Because they’re small, they’re perfect for fall parties, Thanksgiving dessert tables, school celebrations, bake sales, and homemade holiday treat boxes.
They’re also great when you want to offer a few different desserts without everyone needing a giant slice of cake.
And since the recipe makes approximately 50 cake bites, you’ll have plenty to share!
How to Store Pumpkin Spice Glazed Cake Bites
Once the glaze has completely set, store your cake bites loosely covered in a cool, dry place.
For the best texture, enjoy them within a couple of days.
If you need to prepare them farther in advance, I recommend baking the unglazed cake bites ahead of time and freezing those instead.
Can You Freeze Them?
Yes! You can freeze the unglazed cake bites.
Allow them to cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag.
When you’re ready to serve, thaw them and prepare the pumpkin spice glaze fresh.
I haven’t tested freezing them with the glaze already on, so I recommend freezing them before glazing for the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do These Cake Bites Have Real Pumpkin in Them?
Nope! The original recipe uses spice cake mix and pumpkin pie spice in the glaze, so you get those delicious pumpkin spice flavors without needing pumpkin puree.
If you want to experiment, you can try using a boxed pumpkin cake mix instead.
What If I Don’t Have Pumpkin Pie Spice?
No worries!
You can make a simple substitute using cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Just remember that cloves have a strong flavor, so you’ll want to use only a small amount.
Why Is My Pumpkin Spice Glaze Too Thick?
Glaze can be a little finicky sometimes!
If yours becomes too thick or sticky for dipping, add water one teaspoon at a time, stirring until it reaches a smooth, dippable consistency.
You want the glaze to coat the cakes without pulling them apart.
What If My Glaze Is Too Thin?
If your glaze is too runny, try stirring in a little more powdered sugar until it thickens.
You can also let it sit briefly to see if it thickens as it cools.
Why Are My Cake Bites Falling Apart in the Glaze?
Make sure the cakes have cooled completely before dipping.
Try using a deeper bowl or saucepan so you can dip each cake without having to turn it over repeatedly.
Handle them gently with a fork and allow the excess glaze to drip off before placing them on the cooling rack.
Can I Make These Ahead of Time?
Absolutely!
You can bake the cake bites ahead of time and prepare the glaze closer to when you plan to serve them.
This is especially helpful during the busy holiday season!
Can I Make These in Regular Muffin Pans?
You can use a regular muffin pan, but you’ll end up with larger cakes instead of bite-sized treats.
You’ll also need to adjust the baking time and check for doneness with a toothpick.
For the original recipe, I recommend using mini muffin pans.
More Delicious Pumpkin Desserts
If you’re anything like me, once pumpkin season starts, you want ALL the pumpkin desserts! Here are a few more easy and delicious fall treats to add to your baking list.
- Pumpkin Gooey Butter Bars – Rich, buttery cake bars topped with a sweet, creamy pumpkin layer that makes every bite irresistible.
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Snickerdoodle Bars – Soft, cinnamon-sugar bars with a creamy pumpkin cheesecake layer for the ultimate fall treat.
- No-Bake Pumpkin Lush – A creamy, layered pumpkin dessert that’s perfect when you want something sweet without turning on the oven.
- Pumpkin Danish Hawaiian Rolls – Sweet, soft Hawaiian rolls transformed into an easy pumpkin-filled breakfast treat.
- Chocolate Ganache Pumpkin Pie – A delicious twist on traditional pumpkin pie with a rich chocolate ganache topping.
Whether you’re baking for Thanksgiving, sharing treats with friends, or just celebrating the return of sweater weather, these Pumpkin Spice Glazed Cake Bites are such a fun way to enjoy all those wonderful fall flavors.
And if you happen to eat a few while curled up in bed watching Netflix, I certainly won’t tell anyone!
Happy fall baking, y’all!

Glazed Pumpkin Spice Cake Bites
Pumpkin Spiced Glazed Cake Bites; Sweet little bites of spice cake glazed with an amazing Pumpkin Spice Glaze, perfect for fall!
Ingredients
- Cake Bites
- 1 box spice cake mix
- Water, eggs, and oil according to cake mix package directions
- Pumpkin Spice Glaze
- 8 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- Optional
- Fall sprinkles or gold sugar sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease approximately 50 mini muffin cups. Bake in batches if necessary.
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix with the water, eggs, and oil specified on the package. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping the bowl occasionally.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each approximately halfway.
- Bake for 10–13 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pans for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Allow to cool completely, approximately 30 minutes.
- Place a cooling rack over a baking sheet or waxed paper to catch glaze drips.
- In a 3-quart saucepan, combine the powdered sugar, water, corn syrup, and pumpkin pie spice. Heat over low heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat.
- Carefully dip each cooled cake bite into the glaze. Gently lift it out with a fork and place it on the cooling rack, top side down.
- Immediately decorate with sprinkles, if desired. Repeat with the remaining cake bites.
- Allow the glaze to set for approximately 15 minutes. Store loosely covered.
Notes
If the glaze is too thick, add water one teaspoon at a time. If it's too thin, stir in additional powdered sugar. For smaller cake bites, fill the muffin cups closer to one-third full.


Ingredients You’ll Need
Perfect for Fall Parties and Holiday Gatherings



What is sprinkled on top of little cakes? Looks too big to be just spice mix.
Hi Dianne!! I just sprinkled these with gold sugar sprinkles when they first came out of the glaze (it sets up really fast, so you will want to sprinkle each one after you glaze) but you can use pumpkin sprinkles or any fall sprinkles you like. You can even skip the sprinkles all together :) Hope you enjoy!
This sounds fantastic, do you know the “nutrition facts” for the glaze, specifically how many grams of sugar? I want to make this for the family and I have to count my carbs and sugar intake unfortunately due to gestational diabetes.
I had gestational diabetes too with my second son. It was hard during the holidays!! Thankfully crust free pumpkin pie made with splenda saved me lol. I am not quite sure how many carbs and sugar would be from the glaze for each one since the amount of glaze each one needs can vary. Based on the best estimate I can get through a nutrition calculator maybe about 14 grams of sugar and 14 of carbs. You can leave out the corn syrup for a thinner glaze and then Google says there is 2.5 carbs in a tablespoon of powdered sugar and 2.4 grams of sugar and I’m just estimating about a tablespoon of glaze per cake bite. Sorry I couldn’t be more help!! I believe there are some sugar free powdered sugar recipes out there that might help take that carb and sugar count down a ton.
I make mini cake muffins with a box of cake mix and 1 can pumpkin. Skip the cake box directions. This would add another layer of pumpkin yumminess to your recipe.
Ohh that sounds delicious!!! I will have to try that!!!
Scan you freeze the mini muffins with glaze?
I know for sure you can freeze the muffins, I am not so sure about the glaze but you can freeze the muffins and glaze later
I followed the recipe exactly and the glaze came out really thick and sticky making it difficult to “dip” the muffins. I ended up just dipping the tops. Any advice?
Glaze can be finicky sometimes, if you ever find your glaze a little too thick just add a teaspoon of water at a time until it is desired thickness. If it is too thin you can add more powdered sugar. So while it can be picky it is an easy fix to get it to the right consistency.
I’m going to try this with cake pops. Basically same thing set inside mini muffin paper cups. Spice cake with cream cheese frosting maybe to make the cake pops?? Not sure what I’ll dip with…. maybe the glaze!! Oh the possibilities!! Thanks for the inspiration!!
I absolutely loved making these! They were so so cute! I filled the cups up about 1/3 as I found filling them up 1/2 created a cupcake. I used parchment paper to let them sit after dunking them in the icing…but the icing stuck to the paper instead of the treat. Next time I will use wax paper…or just use a cooling rack and let it drop off. I also added more water to make the icing a bit thinner…perhaps that’s why? Anyway I just love them and I love this recipe. I went out and bought a mini muffin tin just for this! I plan to make many many more. I love how the icing keeps the moisture in, as I ended up mailing a bunch of these away, and I am confident they will still be moist when they arrive. XO