Description
Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist and tender fall dessert that perfectly blends warm spices and pumpkin flavor with a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting. Ideal for family gatherings and holiday celebrations, this cake offers cozy seasonal flavors and a beautifully balanced sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 8-inch round cake pans. Gather all your ingredients measured and ready to ensure a smooth baking process.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves until well combined and evenly distributed.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the eggs, brown sugar, and vegetable oil together until smooth. Stir in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract, blending until fully incorporated.
- Create the Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to ensure a tender cake.
- Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla extract, mixing until fluffy and spreadable.
- Frost and Assemble: Place one cake layer on a serving plate, spread frosting evenly over the top, then add the second layer. Finish by frosting the top and sides of the cake for a beautiful presentation.
Notes
- Ensure eggs, cream cheese, and butter are at room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Gently fold ingredients to avoid a dense cake; don’t overmix.
- Use freshly ground cinnamon and nutmeg for enhanced aroma and flavor.
- Allow cake layers to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- If frosting is too soft, chill it in the fridge for 10 minutes before spreading.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: pumpkin spice cake, cream cheese frosting, fall dessert, pumpkin cake, seasonal dessert, autumn cake