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    Home » Recipes » Cake

    Published: Nov 7, 2019 · Modified: Nov 7, 2023 by Ellie Haley · This post may contain affiliate links · 3 Comments

    Pumpkin Cake

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Pumpkin Cake is my absolute favorite fall dessert. The cake is moist and topped with a fluffy whipped cream cheese and drizzled with caramel sauce. It the perfect pumpkin cake for cozy autumn days.

    a pumpkin cake topped with whipped cream cheese icing and drizzled with caramel on a wire rack.

    Even if you aren't a pumpkin fan, I can guarantee that you will love this Pumpkin Cake! The flavors are mild, but delicious and complimented so well by the tangy cream cheese frosting and the sweet caramel drizzle on top. This cake is great for family get togethers, a fall birthday, or your dessert table for the holidays.

    If you're looking for more tasty fall dessert recipes check out my Mini Pecan Pie Recipe, Pumpkin Spice Macarons, or Apple Crumble Bars.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Ingredients Notes
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • Step-By-Step Instructions
    • Expert Baking Tips
    • More Recipes You'll Love
    • Recipe

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Pumpkin Cake is the perfect cozy cake for fall. If you want more cozy fall desserts check out my Pumpkin Skillet Cookie.
    • The moist cake, light whipped and tangy cream cheese frosting, and the sweet caramel sauce come together to create the perfect bite.
    • This cake is so beautiful that you might not even want to cut into it!
    • The whipped cream cheese frosting is light, and fluffy, and has a rich and creamy flavor. I use the same frosting on my Lemon Poppy Seed Cake.

    Ingredients

    all of the ingredients laid out and labeled on a grey background.

    Ingredients Notes

    • Pumpkin puree will make the cake extra moist and give it the pumpkin flavor. You can find more pumpkin puree in my Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes.
    • We will add flavor to the cake with ground cinnamon. If you want more cinnamon flavor try out these Cinnamon Bun Pancakes.
    • The base of the frosting is cream cheese. It will add some tang to the cake. I also use cream cheese in my Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Scones.

    See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

    Substitutions and Variations

    • You can bake this cake in a bundt pan, into cupcakes, or a different shaped cake pan to make something other than an 8x8 pumpkin cake.
    • You can use a buttercream instead of the whipped cream cheese frosting.
    • Add chocolate chips, whatever kind you prefer, to the cake batter before baking to add richness.
    • Use store bough caramel instead of making your own.
    • You can fold the caramel into the cream cheese frosting to make pumpkin cake with caramel cream cheese frosting.

    This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    STEP 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees (F). Spray an 8x8 pan with non-stick spray and lay parchment paper in a cross shape in the bottom of the pan. This will make it easy to lift the cake out of the pan when it has cooled.

    the wet ingredients and sugar combined in a glass bowl on a grey background.

    STEP 2: In a large bowl with a hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer beat the sugar and softened butter until light and fluffy. Add the pumpkin puree and beat until fully combined. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

    the dry ingredients combined in a glass bowl on a grey background.

    STEP 3: In a small bowl combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk to combine.

    the completed cake batter in a glass bowl on a grey background.

    STEP 4: Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

    the whipped cream cheese icing in a glass bowl on a grey background

    STEP 5: In a medium bowl combine the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Mix until fully combined. In a separate bowl beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Be sure not to over whip the cream. Add about ¼ of the whipped cream to the cream cheese mixture and combine fully. Add the rest of the whipped cream and gently fold until combined.

    the sugar and water combined in a stainless steel saucepan on a grey background.

    STEP 6: In a medium saucepan combine the sugar and water over medium-high heat. Let cook, without stirring, for about 10 minutes or until the sugar turns a medium amber color. While the sugar cooks warm the heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Be sure not to boil.

    the sugar, water, and heavy cream combined in a stainless steel saucepan on a grey background.

    STEP 7: When the sugar is ready slowly add the heavy cream. Whisk constantly for 2 minutes.

    the caramel in a stainless steel saucepan on a grey background.

    STEP 8: Remove from heat and add the butter. Whisk until butter is melted and smooth. Let cool.

    a pumpkin cake topped with whipped cream cheese icing and drizzled with caramel on a wire rack.

    STEP 9: When the cake has cooled completely gently lift it out of the pan. Spread the frosting on top of the cake. You might not use all of the frosting. When the caramel has cooled drizzle it on top of the cake.

    Expert Baking Tips

    • Use an oven thermometer. Most ovens run either hot or cold. Using an oven thermometer ensures that you are baking your cake at the perfect temperature.
    • Don’t use cold ingredients. Ensure that all of your cold ingredients are at room temperature before making your cake batter. The ingredients will combine much easier and you won’t have chunks of cold butter in your batter.
    • Weigh your ingredients. One of the most common baking mistakes that I see is measuring incorrectly, especially with flour. The best way to get accurate measurements every time is to weigh them with a kitchen scale.
    • Don’t overmix. You need to mix your batter until all of the ingredients are JUST combined, otherwise, you will make too much gluten and your cake will be tough instead of fluffy.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can this cake be made ahead of time?

    Yes, you can! This pumpkin cake with caramel sauce will hold pretty well in the fridge but is best served the same day it is made.

    How do I store this cake?

    Room Temperature: The cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days.
    Refrigerator:
     If stored correctly in an airtight container this Pumpkin Cake will last up to 1 week in the fridge.
    Freezer:
     If stored correctly in an airtight container the cake will last up to a month in the freezer.

    a pumpkin cake with a slice pulled off of it on a wire rack.

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    If you tried this Pumpkin Cake or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I so appreciate hearing from you!

    Recipe

    a pumpkin cake topped with whipped cream cheese icing and drizzled with caramel on a wire rack.

    Pumpkin Cake

    Ellie Haley
    This Pumpkin Cake is my absolute favorite fall dessert. The cake is moist and topped with a fluffy whipped cream cheese and drizzled with caramel sauce. It the perfect pumpkin cake for cozy autumn days.
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 40 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 slices
    Calories 503 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For Pumpkin Cake:

    • 2 cups (396 grams) granulated sugar
    • 2 sticks (226 grams) unsalted butter room temperature
    • 1 15oz can pumpkin puree
    • 4 large eggs
    • 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoons baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    For Frosting:

    • ½ block (4 oz) cream cheese room temperature
    • ½ cup (99 grams) granulated sugar
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • pinch salt
    • ¾ cup heavy whipping cream

    For Caramel:

    • ½ cup (99 grams) granulated sugar
    • 2 tablespoons cold water
    • ¼ cup heavy cream
    • 1 tablespoon (14 grams) unsalted butter
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    For Pumpkin Cake:

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Spray an 8x8 pan with non-stick spray and use parchment paper to make a cross shape. This will help when removing it from the pan.
    • In a large bowl beat the sugar and room temperature butter until fully combined and fluffy. Add the pumpkin puree and beat until fully combined.
    • Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition.
    • In a small bowl combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
    • Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix until just combined.
    • Pour the batter in the prepared pan and place in the preheated oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
    • Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

    For Frosting:

    • In a medium bowl combine the room temperature cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Mix until fully combined.
    • In a separate medium bowl whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Be sure not to over whip.
    • Add about ¼ of the whipped cream into the cream cheese and mix until completely combined. Add the rest of the whipped cream and gently fold into the cream cheese mixture.

    For Caramel:

    • In a medium saucepan combine the sugar and water over medium-high heat. Let cook, without stirring, for about 10 minutes or until the mixture turns a medium amber color.
    • While the sugar cooks warm the heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat.
    • When the sugar is ready slowly add the heavy cream, whisking constantly for 2 minutes.
    • Remove from heat and add butter. Whisk until melted and smooth. Let cool.

    Assembly:

    • When the cake has cooled spread the frosting over the cake. You may not use all of the frosting.
    • When the caramel sauce has cooled drizzle it over the frosting.

    Notes

    • Don’t use cold ingredients. Ensure that all of your cold ingredients are at room temperature before making your cake batter. The ingredients will combine much easier and you won’t have chunks of cold butter in your batter.
    • Don’t overmix. You need to mix your batter until all of the ingredients are JUST combined, otherwise, you will make too much gluten and your cake will be tough instead of fluffy.
    • The provided nutrition information is an estimate. The calorie accuracy is not guaranteed.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1sliceCalories: 503kcalCarbohydrates: 69.6gProtein: 5.7gFat: 24.2gSaturated Fat: 12.7gCholesterol: 127mgSodium: 473mgPotassium: 142mgFiber: 1.7gSugar: 51.4gCalcium: 42mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. MaDbatter says

      September 07, 2021 at 6:04 pm

      Tried this recipe and to be honEst, thIs cake wont last in Your home. Its so moIst, flavorful and buttery. Its a melt in your mouth Party with every bite! My husband who for some weird reason hates pumpkin had more than 2 slices in a day! Love it! And the cream frostinG Pairs so PERFECTLY with the pumpkin. Everything in this recipe Belongs tHere! Love it!

      Reply
      • Ellie Haley says

        September 07, 2021 at 7:33 pm

        Thank you for the kind words! I’m so glad your family enjoyed it as much as my family does!

        Reply
    2. Hannah Mars says

      May 12, 2020 at 9:13 pm

      5 stars
      WOW! Seriously so good!!! Everyone who tried this totally raved about it. Easy to make, super soft, moist (sorry for people who hate that word haha), and the perfect pumpkin flavor! The frosting is so light and fluffy, complimenting the flavors perfectly. The caramel is the absolute cherry on top. Cannot stop obsessing over yet another one of Ellie's bomb recipes!!! You are the best!

      Reply
    5 from 8 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Ellie!

    I am a classically trained pastry chef with a deep desire to bring delicious and beautiful recipes to the homes of others. I aim to make being in the kitchen approachable instead of intimidating

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    a pumpkin cake topped with whipped cream cheese icing and drizzled with caramel on a wire rack. It says pumpkin cake across the top.

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