How to Make a 2-Ingredient Pumpkin-Bread Recipe: Review, Photos

I bought a 15.25-ounce box of Duncan Hines mix and a 15-ounce can of Kroger’s 100% pure pumpkin purée, which cost me a total of $6.79.

Other brands, such as Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, and Walmart’s Great Value, also sell spice cake mix.

I poured the full bag of spice cake mix into a large bowl then scooped out all 15 ounces of pumpkin purée and added that too.

After I folded the two ingredients together, an aroma of clove and nutmeg filled my kitchen — and I hadn’t even put anything in the oven yet.

Using a spatula, I spread the vibrant orange mixture in the pan so it was even on top.

My house was filled with the delicious scent of pumpkin and clove.

The cake was even more moist than my favorite Starbucks pumpkin bread, and one slice was just a fraction of the cost. The loaf also smelled just as enticing.

However, I thought the taste of the spices was lacking, especially considering it was a “spice cake” mix. Next time, I might add a dash more cinnamon, clove, or even pumpkin-spice mix.

While this probably won’t be my go-to recipe when I’m looking for a treat that evokes the coziness of fall, there’s no denying how easy it was. I would definitely make it again when I’m looking for a quick, warming snack.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in November 2023 and was updated in September 2025.