Description
A cozy, warmly spiced pumpkin cake that feels like a hug on a plate — moist, tender, and topped with creamy cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13 inch cake pan by greasing and lightly flouring it, or lining it with parchment for easier removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger until evenly combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, applesauce, pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, folding gently until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
- Transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Once the cake is completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly across the top.
Notes
For a decorative touch, create swirls with a spatula or pipe rosettes around the edges. Store tightly covered for up to 2 days at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: pumpkin, cake, dessert, fall, autumn, spices