Get ready to experience the ultimate fall comfort food that will transform your kitchen into a cozy autumn paradise! This Pumpkin Spice Cake isn't just another dessert - it's a warm, spicy slice of heaven that captures the essence of the season in every single bite. With its perfectly balanced blend of warm spices, moist pumpkin base, and decadent cream cheese frosting, this cake promises to be the star of your dessert table and the talk of every gathering.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan, ensuring even coverage to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, and salt. Whisk dry ingredients together until well blended.
- In a separate bowl, mix pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, and eggs. Beat the wet ingredients until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Gradually pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir and mix until a uniform cake batter forms, being careful not to overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula to ensure consistent baking.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center - it should come out clean.
- Remove cake from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack for about 1 hour before frosting.
- For cream cheese frosting, beat softened cream cheese and butter in a large bowl until creamy and smooth.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture. Beat until frosting is light, fluffy, and free of lumps.
- Once cake is completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly across the top using an offset spatula.
- Optional: Garnish with a light dusting of ground cinnamon or chopped nuts if desired.
- Slice into squares and serve. Store any remaining cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Tips
- Room Temperature Matters: Ensure eggs and dairy ingredients are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
- Don't Overmix: Stir the batter just until ingredients are combined to keep the cake tender and prevent a tough texture.
- Check Oven Accuracy: Use an oven thermometer to ensure your oven is precisely at 350°F for even baking.
- Cool Completely: Let the cake cool entirely before frosting to prevent the cream cheese frosting from melting.
- Frosting Technique: For a professional look, use an offset spatula and make smooth, even strokes when spreading the cream cheese frosting.
- Storage Hack: If you want to keep the cake extra moist, cover it loosely with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container.
- Spice Customization: Feel free to adjust spice levels to suit your taste - add a pinch more cinnamon or nutmeg if you love intense flavors.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 480kcal
Carbohydrates: 62g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 110mg
