Description
Spiced pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting brings autumn’s warmth to dessert tables. Layers of moist cake and rich frosting promise comfort in each delectable slice you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 grams) brown sugar
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 8 oz (227 grams) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (240 grams) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13-inch pan with grease or parchment paper to ensure effortless cake release.
- Blend Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves in a mixing bowl, creating a harmonious spice blend that will infuse the cake with warm, autumnal flavors.
- Combine Wet Components: In a separate large bowl, vigorously mix pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, white sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture transforms into a smooth, cohesive liquid with a rich, golden hue.
- Merge Ingredients: Delicately fold the dry ingredient mixture into the pumpkin base, stirring minimally to maintain the batter’s tender texture. Mix just until ingredients are incorporated, avoiding overmixing.
- Bake and Cool: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan, letting flavors meld and settle.
- Craft Frosting: Whip cream cheese and butter until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat the mixture until it becomes light, fluffy, and irresistibly creamy.
- Finish and Serve: Once the cake has cooled entirely, spread the cream cheese frosting generously and evenly across the surface. Slice into portions and enjoy immediately, or refrigerate for a refreshing treat.
Notes
- Prevent Lumpy Batter: Whisk dry ingredients separately before combining to eliminate flour clumps and ensure smooth, even cake texture.
- Control Moisture Balance: Use room temperature eggs and pumpkin puree to help ingredients blend seamlessly and maintain optimal cake consistency.
- Avoid Overmixing: Fold ingredients gently with minimal strokes to prevent developing tough gluten strands, which can make the cake dense and chewy.
- Customize Spice Profile: Adjust autumnal spice ratios according to personal taste preferences, increasing or decreasing cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger for a personalized flavor experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg