Magical Pumpkin Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Fall’s golden embrace brings a decadent pumpkin cake with caramel cream cheese frosting that dances between comfort and indulgence.

Warm spices weave through rich pumpkin layers, creating a dessert that whispers autumn’s sweet secrets.

Each slice promises a harmonious blend of seasonal warmth and creamy decadence.

The caramel undertones add a luxurious depth that elevates this classic cake from ordinary to extraordinary.

Soft, moist, and perfectly spiced, this dessert captures the essence of cozy afternoons and crisp evenings.

Bakers seeking a show-stopping treat will find pure magic in these delectable layers.

Grab your mixing bowl and let the baking adventure begin!

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35-40 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients in Pumpkin Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and tender crumb for the cake's foundation.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: Delivers warm, aromatic autumn flavors that complement the pumpkin perfectly.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances and balances all the other flavors in the cake.

• Vegetable Oil: Creates moisture and helps achieve a supremely soft cake texture.
• Brown Sugar, White Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a rich, deep caramelized flavor profile.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cake's structure and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides depth and rounds out the overall flavor complexity.
• Pumpkin Puree: Brings signature autumn taste, moisture, and beautiful orange color.

• Butter: Creates smooth, creamy base for frosting with rich, luxurious mouthfeel.
• Cream Cheese: Adds tangy flavor and silky texture to the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize the frosting's consistency.
• Salted Caramel Sauce: Delivers intense, complex sweetness with a hint of saltiness.
• Whipping Cream: Helps adjust frosting texture and adds light, airy quality.
• Granulated Sugar: Transforms into golden caramel sauce with deep, complex flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances caramel's sweetness and adds aromatic depth.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies caramel's rich flavor profile.

Baking Tools for This Pumpkin Cake Recipe

• Large mixing bowl: For combining wet and dry ingredients, perfect for mixing cake batter and frosting.
• Medium mixing bowl: Ideal for whisking dry ingredients and preparing cake components.
• Electric mixer: Essential for beating ingredients smoothly and creating creamy frosting.
• 9×13 inch baking pan: Standard size for baking the pumpkin cake evenly.
• Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients and creating smooth mixtures.
• Spatula: Helps scrape bowl sides and spread frosting evenly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Large saucepan: Used for creating salted caramel sauce.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing center.

Step-by-Step for Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

• Cake Preparation

Gather all necessary baking tools and ingredients. Warm up the oven and prepare a baking pan with light grease. The key is creating a smooth foundation for a delightful dessert.

• Mixture Creation

Combine dry ingredients in one bowl, creating a perfect blend of spices and flour. In another bowl, mix wet ingredients until they form a silky, smooth consistency. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, ensuring everything is well incorporated.

• Baking Process

Pour batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake until the cake feels firm and a testing stick comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before moving to the next stage.

• Frosting Magic

Soften butter and cream cheese, blending them into a luxurious base. Gradually add powdered sugar and a drizzle of caramel sauce. Adjust consistency by adding small amounts of cream if needed. The goal is a smooth, spreadable topping.

• Caramel Creation

In a saucepan, transform sugar into a rich amber liquid by careful heating. Add butter and cream, creating a silky caramel sauce. Let the sauce cool slightly before incorporating into the frosting.

• Final Assembly

Generously spread the caramel cream cheese frosting over the cooled cake. Slice and serve this decadent autumn treat that promises to delight everyone at the table.

Tips for Frosting and Flavor

• Add a splash of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the batter for an incredibly tender, moist cake that stays fresh longer.
• Experiment with different spice blends like chai masala or swap pumpkin pie spice with cardamom and ginger for a unique flavor profile.
• Fold in toasted pecans or walnuts into the batter for extra texture and a delightful autumn-inspired crunch.
• Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 weeks, preserving its freshness for spontaneous dessert moments.
• Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe accessible for those with dietary restrictions.

Serving Pumpkin Cake with a Sweet Finish

• Autumn Dessert Companion: Pair this luscious pumpkin cake with a warm mug of spiced apple cider or creamy chai tea to enhance the seasonal flavors.
• Garnish Elegance: Sprinkle chopped pecans, toasted pumpkin seeds, or a light dusting of cinnamon on top of the frosted cake for added texture and visual appeal.
• Holiday Presentation: Serve individual slices on rustic wooden platters or vintage dessert plates during fall gatherings to create a cozy, inviting atmosphere that celebrates the warmth of the season.
• Dessert Versatility: Transform leftover cake slices into a decadent trifle by layering cake cubes with extra caramel sauce and whipped cream in clear glass dessert cups for an impressive alternative serving style.

Store This Frosted Cake with Care

• Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Keep the frosted cake covered in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain moisture and prevent the cake from absorbing other refrigerator odors.
• Room Temperature Freshness Tip: If serving within 1-2 days, store the cake at room temperature in a cake carrier or covered with plastic wrap. This helps maintain the cake's soft texture and prevents unnecessary chilling.
• Freezing Magic Method: Slice the unfrosted cake into portions, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before adding fresh frosting and serving.
• Frosting Longevity Hack: Separate the cake and frosting when storing for longer periods. Keep the frosting in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week, allowing you to frost the cake when ready to serve, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor.

Moist Pumpkin Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Seasonal spice cake Pumpkin cake with caramel cream cheese frosting celebrates autumn’s warmth with rich, comforting flavors. Delicate layers of moist pumpkin cake paired with silky caramel frosting invite you to savor fall’s sweet embrace.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 15-oz (425 g) can pumpkin puree
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 mL) vegetable or canola oil
• 1 cup (240 mL) brown sugar
• ½ cup (120 mL) white sugar
• 2 cups (480 mL) all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) pumpkin pie spice
• 2 tsps (10 mL) baking powder
• 1 tsp (5 mL) baking soda
• ¼ tsp (1.25 mL) salt
• 2 tsps (10 mL) vanilla extract
• ½ cup (120 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 6 oz (170 g) full-fat brick-style cream cheese
• ½ cup (120 mL) salted caramel
• 2–3 cups (240–360 g) powdered sugar
• 1–2 tbsps (15–30 mL) whipping cream
• 1 cup (240 mL) white sugar
• ⅓ cup (75 g) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• ½ cup (120 mL) whipping cream

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Instructions

1. Prepare Dry Mixture: Sift flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a mixing bowl, ensuring uniform distribution of ingredients.
2. Create Wet Base: Whisk oil, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree until smooth and well-integrated, developing a rich, cohesive mixture.
3. Combine Batters: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until just combined to maintain a tender cake texture and prevent overmixing.
4. Bake Cake: Pour batter into a greased 9×13 inch pan, spreading evenly, and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
5. Craft Caramel Sauce: Melt sugar in a saucepan, watching carefully as it transforms to a deep amber color, then whisk in butter, whipping cream, vanilla extract, and salt to create a luscious homemade caramel.
6. Prepare Frosting: Cream butter until light and fluffy, then blend in cream cheese until smooth. Gradually mix in powdered sugar, incorporating caramel sauce and whipping cream to achieve a silky, spreadable consistency.
7. Finish and Serve: Once cake has completely cooled, lavishly spread caramel cream cheese frosting across the surface, creating an indulgent autumn-inspired dessert ready to be sliced and savored.

Notes

• Spice Selection Matters: Use fresh pumpkin pie spice for maximum flavor intensity and aromatic warmth.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure eggs, butter, and cream cheese are at room temperature to create smoother, more evenly blended mixtures.
• Moisture Management: Do not overmix batter; gentle folding prevents tough, dense cake texture and maintains delicate crumb structure.
• Caramel Caution: Watch sugar carefully during homemade caramel sauce preparation, as it can quickly transition from perfect amber to burnt in seconds.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 40 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg