Description
Rich, velvety pumpkin cake celebrates autumn’s warmth with luxurious caramel cream cheese frosting. Spiced layers melt in your mouth, inviting sweet memories of seasonal comfort and indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) can pumpkin puree
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable or canola oil
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Frosting and Caramel Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 6 ounces (170 grams) cream cheese, full-fat brick style
- 23 cups powdered sugar
- 12 tablespoons whipping cream, as needed
- 1/2 cup salted caramel
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, cut into 5 pieces
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F and coating a 9×13-inch pan with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
- Create the dry foundation by whisking flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, setting it aside for later integration.
- Craft the liquid base by vigorously beating vegetable oil, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until achieving a smooth, homogeneous texture in a large mixing bowl.
- Introduce the pumpkin puree to the liquid mixture, blending thoroughly to infuse moisture and earthy undertones throughout the batter.
- Methodically fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, incorporating in two stages and pausing to scrape bowl sides, ensuring complete and even distribution.
- Transfer the fully mixed batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly to create a consistent depth.
- Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, monitoring until the cake surface feels firm and a toothpick emerges clean when inserted into the center.
- Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool completely within the pan, enabling it to set and stabilize before serving or frosting.
Notes
- Enhance moisture by adding a tablespoon of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the wet ingredients for an extra tender crumb.
- Make the recipe gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Create a dairy-free version by using coconut cream cheese and plant-based butter in the frosting for those with lactose sensitivities.
- Control sweetness by reducing sugar content by 25% without compromising texture, which works well for health-conscious bakers.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 45 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 61 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg