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Close-up of a delicious slice of moist pumpkin cake with creamy white frosting, garnished with cinnamon sticks on a rustic wooden background, highlighting a tempting pumpkin cake recipe.

Easy Pumpkin Cake Recipe (with Cream Cheese Frosting)

This easy recipe yields a delicious pumpkin cake, perfectly spiced and moist, topped with a fluffy, tangy cream cheese frosting. It's a perfect dessert for any occasion, especially during the fall season.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pumpkin Cake
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour see note on measuring
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda sifted to get rid of lumps
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 3 large eggs room temp
  • 1 cup oil extra light olive oil, vegetable or corn oil will work
  • 15 oz pumpkin puree can
Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 8 oz cream cheese room temp, cut into quarters
  • 8 Tbsp unsalted butter room temp
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pecans to decorate, optional

Equipment

  • large bowl
  • medium bowl
  • 9x13 non-stick baking pan or a Glass pyrex dish
  • stand mixer
  • whisk attachment
  • toothpick

Method
 

How to Make Pumpkin Cake
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13 baking dish. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
  2. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together eggs, oil, and pumpkin puree until well combined.
  3. Combine wet and dry ingredients, whisk until smooth, then pour into the prepared dish. Bake for 35-40 minutes at 350°F, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely before frosting and decorating with optional pecans.
How to Make Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting
  1. In a stand mixer, beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract on medium speed until combined, then on high speed for 2-3 minutes until fluffy, scraping the bowl as needed.

Notes

Make sure to measure flour correctly for best results. Pecans are an optional garnish and can be sprinkled over individual slices if desired.