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Moist Pumpkin Layer Cake: Easy Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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This moist pumpkin layer cake is packed with warm spices and topped with a luscious cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Perfect for autumn gatherings, birthdays, or any time you crave a cozy, crowd-pleasing dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup neutral oil (canola or vegetable)
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 3/4 cups canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream (as needed for consistency)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk granulated sugar, brown sugar, and oil until smooth. Add eggs, beating well after each addition. Stir in pumpkin puree, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
  6. Bake for 28-32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto wire racks, remove parchment, and let cool completely.
  8. For the frosting: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy, adding milk or cream as needed for spreadable consistency.
  9. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread about 1 cup frosting over the top. Add the second layer and cover top and sides with remaining frosting.
  10. Decorate with a sprinkle of cinnamon, toasted pecans, or pumpkin seeds if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For dairy-free, substitute plant-based cream cheese, vegan butter, and non-dairy milk. Cool cakes completely before frosting. Sift powdered sugar for smooth frosting. Bake layers ahead and frost before serving for easy assembly. Decorate with cinnamon, nuts, or pumpkin seeds for a festive touch.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin cake, layer cake, cream cheese frosting, autumn dessert, fall baking, easy cake recipe, cinnamon, Thanksgiving, holiday dessert

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/moist-pumpkin-layer-cake-easy-cinnamon-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/