Moist Spiced Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Autumn Flavors

The ultimate autumn dessert featuring incredibly moist pumpkin cake layers infused with warm spices, topped with rich cream cheese frosting and seasonal garnishes. This perfect fall masterpiece combines the natural sweetness of pumpkin puree with aromatic cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, creating an unforgettable cake experience that captures the essence of harvest season. This gourmet comfort dessert elevates the classic pumpkin cake to extraordinary heights, perfect for Thanksgiving, holidays, or any time you crave the cozy warmth of autumn spices.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Send Recipe Jump To Recipe
Moist Spiced Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Autumn Flavors - main view
Chef profile

JUE

Enjoy home-cooked meals made with love and shared from a family kitchen.

Autumn Baking Mastery Secrets for Perfect Spiced Pumpkin Cake Creation

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

Perfect Pumpkin Cake Mastery:
Master the technique of creating incredibly moist, perfectly spiced pumpkin cake layers.
Cream Cheese Frosting Excellence:
Learn the skill of creating smooth, creamy frosting with perfect sweetness balance.
Spice Blending Perfection:
Perfect the method of balancing warm autumn spices for optimal flavor harmony.
Assembly Technique Mastery:
Master the art of layering and frosting for professional presentation and stability.
Autumn Garnish Strategy:
Learn optimal decoration techniques for beautiful seasonal finishing touches.
Moist Spiced Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Autumn Flavors - secondary view

The Art of Perfect Autumn Pumpkin Cake with Seasonal Spice Harmony

Perfect Pumpkin Cake Mastery
Master the technique of creating incredibly moist, perfectly spiced pumpkin cake layers.
Cream Cheese Frosting Excellence
Learn the skill of creating smooth, creamy frosting with perfect sweetness balance.
Spice Blending Perfection
Perfect the method of balancing warm autumn spices for optimal flavor harmony.
Assembly Technique Mastery
Master the art of layering and frosting for professional presentation and stability.
Autumn Garnish Strategy
Learn optimal decoration techniques for beautiful seasonal finishing touches.
Autumn Baking Mastery Secrets for Perfect Spiced Pumpkin Cake Creation
Pumpkin Quality: Use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, for best flavor control.
Spice Balance: Toast whole spices and grind fresh for more intense autumn flavor.
Moisture Secret: Don't overbake - cake should be moist and spring back lightly when touched.
Frosting Perfection: Ensure cream cheese and butter are properly softened for smooth texture.
Assembly Timing: Let cakes cool completely to prevent frosting from melting during assembly.
Storage Tip: Covered cake keeps well refrigerated for up to 5 days, improving flavor over time.
Moist Spiced Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Autumn Flavors - tertiary view

Moist Spiced Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Autumn Flavors

The ultimate autumn dessert featuring incredibly moist pumpkin cake layers infused with warm spices, topped with rich cream cheese frosting and seasonal garnishes. This perfect fall masterpiece combines the natural sweetness of pumpkin puree with aromatic cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, creating an unforgettable cake experience that captures the essence of harvest season. This gourmet comfort dessert elevates the classic pumpkin cake to extraordinary heights, perfect for Thanksgiving, holidays, or any time you crave the cozy warmth of autumn spices.

Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini
0% Complete

Ingredients

Custard Cream
01
For the Perfect Pumpkin Cake:
02
2 cups all-purpose flour
03
2 teaspoons baking soda
04
1 teaspoon salt
05
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
06
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
08
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
09
4 large eggs
10
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
11
1 cup vegetable oil
12
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
13
2/3 cup water
14
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
15
8 oz cream cheese, softened
16
1/2 cup butter, softened
17
4 cups powdered sugar
18
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
19
1/4 teaspoon salt
20
2-3 tablespoons heavy cream
21
For the Spice Enhancement:
22
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
23
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
24
For the Autumn Garnish:
25
1/2 cup toasted pecans, chopped
26
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, toasted
27
Ground cinnamon for dusting
28
For the Cake Preparation:
29
Butter for greasing pans
30
Flour for dusting pans
31
Parchment paper
32
For the Optional Filling:
33
1/2 cup caramel sauce
34
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
35
For the Perfect Finishing:
36
Maple syrup drizzle
37
Fresh sage leaves
38
Candied orange peel
39
For Special Equipment:
40
Two 9-inch round cake pans
41
Electric mixer
42
Wire cooling racks
43
Offset spatula

Instructions

01
Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch round cake pans thoroughly.
02
Line bottom of pans with parchment paper and dust with flour.
03
Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and all spices in large bowl.
04
Beat eggs in separate large bowl until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
05
Gradually add granulated sugar to eggs, beating until well combined.
06
Mix in vegetable oil, pumpkin puree, water, vanilla, and almond extract.
07
Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.
08
Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans, spreading smooth.
09
Bake for 40-45 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
10
Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks.
11
Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting, about 1 hour.
12
Beat softened cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, 3 minutes.
13
Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth and creamy.
14
Mix in vanilla extract, salt, and heavy cream for desired consistency.
15
Place first cake layer on serving plate and spread frosting on top.
16
Add optional caramel sauce and chopped walnuts if using for filling.
17
Top with second cake layer and frost top and sides generously.
18
Smooth frosting with offset spatula for professional appearance.
19
Sprinkle toasted pecans and pumpkin seeds around top edge.
20
Dust lightly with ground cinnamon for autumn color contrast.
21
Drizzle with maple syrup and garnish with fresh sage leaves.
22
Add candied orange peel for elegant finishing touch if desired.
23
Refrigerate cake for 30 minutes to set frosting before serving.
24
Slice with sharp knife, wiping clean between cuts for neat pieces.
25
Serve at room temperature for best flavor and texture experience.