Heavenly Salted Caramel Pumpkin Cake Recipe for Fall Joy

Sweet autumn winds carry whispers of comfort, and this salted caramel pumpkin cake stands as a delectable testament to seasonal warmth.

Layers of moist spiced cake promise a decadent experience that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Rich cream cheese frosting swirls between tender cake layers, complemented by a luxurious salted caramel drizzle.

Warm notes of cinnamon and nutmeg dance through each delightful bite, creating an irresistible dessert.

The subtle saltiness cuts through the cake inherent sweetness, balancing flavors in perfect harmony.

Perfectly spiced and beautifully crafted, this cake transforms an ordinary afternoon into a memorable celebration of autumn’s finest gifts.

Grab a fork and savor every single, sumptuous moment.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35-40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 9

Salted Caramel Pumpkin Cake Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour, Whole Wheat Flour: Provides structure and hearty texture, choose unbleached and freshly milled for best results.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Crucial leavening agents that help cake rise and become light, ensure they are within expiration date.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, Ginger: Warm autumn spices that create depth and aromatic richness, opt for freshly ground for maximum flavor intensity.

• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness, select organic or free-range for better quality.
• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and moisture, choose dark brown sugar for deeper caramel notes.
• Greek Yogurt: Adds tanginess and keeps cake tender, select full-fat version for best texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavors, use pure extract instead of imitation.
• Pumpkin Puree: Adds moisture and autumnal character, use 100% pure pumpkin puree.

• Half & Half, Butter, Brown Sugar, Sea Salt: Creates luxurious caramel sauce, select high-quality butter and coarse sea salt for finishing.
• Confectioner's Sugar: Provides smooth, glossy glaze texture, sift to prevent lumps.

Equipment Needed for Salted Caramel Pumpkin Cake

• 8×8 or 9×9 inch baking dish: Perfect for creating your cake base and ensuring even baking.
• Medium mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry ingredients smoothly.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for mixing wet ingredients and creating cake batter.
• Small saucepan: Critical for making both caramel sauce and glaze.
• Whisk: Great for blending ingredients without lumps.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps spread batter and stir mixtures evenly.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cake to cool without getting soggy.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient amounts.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake's doneness by testing center.

How to Bake a Moist Salted Caramel Pumpkin Cake

• Cake Preparation

Gather all necessary baking tools and ingredients for a delightful autumn dessert. Create a cozy kitchen environment that feels warm and inviting.

• Baking Foundation

Mix dry ingredients in a comfortable bowl, blending flour with aromatic spices that capture the essence of fall. Ensure a smooth, even texture that promises deliciousness.

• Liquid Harmony

Combine wet ingredients with gentle movements, creating a silky batter that reflects the smooth transition of seasonal flavors. Fold ingredients carefully to maintain the cake’s delicate structure.

• Caramel Magic

Create a rich caramel sauce that weaves through the cake like golden ribbons. The sauce transforms an ordinary dessert into an extraordinary experience, adding depth and warmth.

• Layering Technique

Carefully pour batter and caramel in alternating layers, allowing each element to meld together in a beautiful dance of flavors. The technique ensures every bite is a perfect balance of sweetness and spice.

• Oven Transformation

Bake the cake until it reaches a perfect golden-brown color, filling the kitchen with an irresistible aroma of pumpkin and caramel. Watch as the cake rises and develops a beautiful texture.

• Finishing Touch

Complete the dessert with a luxurious glaze that cascades over the cake, creating a shimmering surface. Sprinkle sea salt to enhance the complex flavor profile, bringing a sophisticated edge to this comforting treat.

Tips for Deep Flavor in Caramel Pumpkin Cake

• Create mesmerizing caramel patterns by using a toothpick or knife to gently swirl the caramel layer into the cake batter before baking, giving a beautiful marbled effect.
• Roast fresh pumpkin puree instead of using canned for an intense, deeper flavor that elevates the entire cake's taste profile and brings out natural sweetness.
• Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum moisture and flavor preservation.
• Experiment with alternative warm spices like cardamom or allspice to complement the existing spice blend, creating a unique flavor dimension that surprises taste buds.
• Prepare the cake layers and caramel sauce a day in advance, refrigerating separately, then assemble and glaze just before serving to save time and enhance flavor melding.

Serving Suggestions for Salted Caramel Pumpkin Cake

• Cozy Autumn Dessert Platter: Create a rustic wooden board with slices of the cake, cinnamon sticks, whole nutmegs, and small pumpkins for a seasonal presentation that celebrates fall flavors.
• Warm Beverage Companion: Pair each slice with a steaming mug of spiced chai latte or rich cappuccino to complement the cake's warm spices and caramel notes.
• Elegant Garnish Options: Top individual servings with a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of toasted pecans, or a light dusting of ground cinnamon for added texture and visual appeal.
• Dessert Wine Pairing: Serve alongside a small glass of sweet dessert wine like moscato or a caramel-noted port to enhance the cake's rich, indulgent profile.

Storage Tips to Keep Pumpkin Cake Fresh

• Fridge-Friendly Storage: Keep the salted caramel pumpkin cake covered in an airtight container inside the refrigerator. The cake stays fresh for up to 5 days, maintaining its delicious moisture and rich flavor profile.
• Freezer Magic: Slice the cake into individual portions, wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake remains delectable for 2-3 months, perfect for future sweet cravings.
• Room Temperature Timing: Allow the cake to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving after refrigeration. This helps restore the soft texture and brings out the complex caramel and spice notes.
• Moisture-Saving Trick: Place a piece of soft bread beside the cake in the storage container to prevent drying. The bread absorbs excess moisture, keeping the cake tender and delightful throughout its storage period.

Rich Salted Caramel Pumpkin Cake

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4.5 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Seasonal spice blends elevate this salted caramel pumpkin cake into a rich autumn dessert. Warm flavors and creamy caramel create a delightful balance you’ll savor with each memorable bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white whole wheat flour
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 12 tbsps brown sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup sugar
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 4 tbsps butter
• 2 tbsps milk
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp cloves
• 1/8 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 5 tbsps half & half
• 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
• 1 tsp coarse sea salt
• Additional coarse sea salt for sprinkling

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously spray an 8×8 or 9×9 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and warming autumn spices, whisking until thoroughly blended.
3. Wet Mixture: In a large bowl, cream together egg and sugars until smooth, then fold in Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree, stirring until completely integrated.
4. Batter Assembly: Gently incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, mixing minimally to maintain a tender texture, being careful not to overmix.
5. Initial Baking: Pour half the batter into prepared baking dish and bake for 10 minutes to create a foundational layer.
6. Caramel Creation: Simultaneously craft the caramel sauce by simmering brown sugar and half & half in a saucepan, continuously stirring until the mixture darkens and sugar dissolves completely.
7. Caramel Finishing: Remove caramel from heat, whisk in butter and sea salt until silky, allowing it to cool slightly while maintaining a pourable consistency.
8. Layering: Drizzle caramel evenly over the partially baked cake base, then thin remaining batter with milk and gently pour over the caramel layer.
9. Final Baking: Return cake to oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, testing for doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean when inserted.
10. Cooling and Glazing: Allow cake to cool completely on a wire rack, then prepare the glaze by heating brown sugar and half & half, reducing and incorporating butter before whisking in confectioner’s sugar until glossy.
11. Finishing Touch: Pour glaze over cooled cake, spreading evenly, and sprinkle coarse sea salt across the surface, allowing glaze to set before serving.

Notes

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour, spices, and other ingredients to ensure consistent cake texture and flavor.
• Temperature Matters: Allow ingredients like eggs and yogurt to reach room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more even batter.
• Caramel Technique: Watch caramel sauce closely while cooking; it can burn quickly, so stir constantly and remove from heat when it reaches a deep amber color.
• Salt Balance: The coarse sea salt sprinkled on top provides a delightful contrast to the sweet caramel, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the cake.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg