Pumpkin Spice Cake

This Pumpkin Spice Cake is a simple treat from scratch, filled with cozy fall flavors. It’s soft, moist and topped with an easy cream cheese frosting. This homemade recipe will make you fall in love with pumpkin all over again!

What Makes This Pumpkin Spice Cake So Great?

I’m kind of obsessed with pumpkin. Since fall is basically everything pumpkin (and apples) to me, once it rolls around I take full advantage of it. 

Every week, I seem to buy more cans of pumpkin than I can count. My pantry is overflowing with pumpkin, my Pinterest board is full of fall treats just begging to be baked, and my mind is in overdrive trying to think of the perfect Thanksgiving dessert to make.

One that involves pumpkin, of course! And even as the fall slowly winds down and I start testing Christmas recipes (yay!), I can’t resist sneakin’ in just a few more pumpkin goodies for you.

Now let’s talk about this cake, shall we?

Pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting: a classic dessert, filled with pumpkin flavor both inside and out. Besides pumpkin pie, I always look forward to a homemade pumpkin cake for dessert on Thanksgiving. The moist center and creamy frosting makes me come back for a second (and third) slice!

But since I didn’t want to wait until Thanksgiving to satisfy my sweet tooth, I decided to make my own. And guys? This Pumpkin Spice Cake is amazing. Like, so incredibly delicious that you must run home and make this right now.

And the pumpkin frosting on top? Incredible! In fact, you might have a hard time not eating this straight from the bowl. I know I did.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Spice Cake

The moist pumpkin cake itself has just the right amount of spices, and combined with pumpkin, it’s pure bliss. It bakes up soft, moist, and so full of flavor. The pumpkin and cream cheese make a smooth and delectable topping, which is absolutely perfect for this cake.

Plus, it’s really simple to make — mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients, combine and bake! Top it with the frosting and you’re done!

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy pumpkin cake recipe:

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder and baking soda
• Pumpkin pie spice
• Salt
• Pumpkin puree 
• Light brown sugar
• Vegetable oil
• Eggs
• Plain Greek yogurt
• Cream cheese
• Powdered sugar 

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Cake

This Pumpkin Spice Cake is not only insanely good, but it’s also so easy to make! You knew that was coming, right? The hardest part is waiting for the cake to cool so that you can frost it with this indulgent, pumpkin cream cheese frosting. But trust me, guys, it’s worth the wait!

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degree F. Lightly spray an 8×8-inch square pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and yogurt.
4. Add the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture, sitting until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
5. Bake until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
6. As the cake is cooling, prepare the pumpkin frosting. 
7. Refrigerate until ready to use or frost cake once cool. Enjoy!

If you’re looking to make some other than pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving, why not try out this Pumpkin Spice Cake? I guarantee it will be a dessert winner!

Recipe Variations to Try

• If you like a little crunch in your desserts, try adding chopped nuts! You can mix about half a cup in with the batter or sprinkle about 1/4 of a cup on top of the frosting.
• Substitute half of the flour for whole wheat flour to give this cake a boost of fiber!
• Make this cake festive by decorating it with candy pumpkins for Thanksgiving or marshmallow ghosts for Halloween!

How to Store Pumpkin Spice Cake

Because the pumpkin frosting contains cream cheese, you’ll need to store this easy pumpkin cake in the fridge. It’ll last up to four days in an airtight container. 

Tips for Making Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

• When buying the pumpkin, be sure to get canned pumpkin and not pumpkin pie mix! Otherwise your cake will be very sweet!
• Be sure not to over stir the batter! If you over stir it, you can create bubbles which will leave a series of pockets in your cake.
• If you don’t have cooking spray, drizzle a small amount of oil into the baking dish and spread it around with your fingers or a paper towel. Be sure to use an oil that doesn’t have a distinct flavor – canola, vegetable, or avocado oil would be good options.

Looking for more pumpkin desserts? i’ve got you covered!

• No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Trifle
• Pumpkin Nutella Muffins
• Pumpkin Creme Brulee
• Pumpkin Cobbler
• Pumpkin Spice Milkshake
• Pumpkin Pie Bars
• Eggless Pumpkin Pie