10 Fall Pumpkin Cakes That Everyone Will Rave About

Nothing says fall baking quite like pumpkin. From brown butter frostings to soft, spiced layers, these pumpkin cakes are everything you need to make the season sweeter. Each recipe blends cozy spices, creamy frostings, and just the right amount of pumpkin goodness to keep everyone coming back for seconds.

Quick Summary

This cozy roundup features 10 irresistible pumpkin cakes perfect for fall gatherings, coffee breaks, and holiday desserts. Each recipe includes real pumpkin purée, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and rich frostings ranging from classic cream cheese to nutty brown butter. These cakes are moist, flavorful, and designed for bakers who love comforting, crowd-pleasing desserts that feel homemade and seasonal.

1. Pumpkin Spice Cake Recipe

A true fall classic with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. This cake delivers that unmistakable pumpkin spice flavor that fills your kitchen with the best autumn aroma.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch pan.
  2. Whisk flour, baking soda, and spices together.
  3. In another bowl, combine pumpkin, sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
  4. Mix dry ingredients into wet until just combined.
  5. Pour into pan and bake for 30–35 minutes. Cool before frosting.

2. Pumpkin Layered Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

A soft, spiced cake with layers of silky cream cheese frosting that make it extra indulgent. Perfect for fall birthdays or Thanksgiving dessert tables.

Ingredients:

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • ¾ cup oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 1½ cups sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon

Frosting:

  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • ½ cup butter
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

  1. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl, wet in another.
  2. Combine, then divide batter into two 8-inch pans.
  3. Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes.
  4. Cool and frost with cream cheese frosting.

3. Pumpkin Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Soft, moist pumpkin layers paired with a cinnamon-spiked frosting that adds warmth to every bite.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Frosting:

  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • ½ cup butter
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions:

  1. Prepare batter and bake in a 9×13-inch pan for 30–35 minutes.
  2. Beat frosting ingredients until smooth.
  3. Spread generously on cooled cake.

4. Pumpkin Cake Recipe with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

A bakery-worthy pumpkin cake made even better with nutty brown butter frosting that adds depth and richness.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ cup oil
  • 2 eggs

Frosting:

  • ½ cup butter, browned
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

  1. Make cake as usual and bake for 30–35 minutes.
  2. Brown butter in a pan, then cool.
  3. Mix frosting ingredients until creamy and spread over cooled cake.

5. High Altitude Brown Butter Pumpkin Cake Recipe

Light, fluffy, and perfectly balanced for high-altitude baking, this version keeps all the moisture while enhancing the flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 2½ cups flour
  • 1½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ½ cup oil
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup milk

Instructions:

  1. Combine ingredients and bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes.
  2. Frost with your favorite brown butter or maple glaze.

6. Pumpkin Oreo Cake Recipe

A fun, indulgent twist combining rich chocolatey Oreos and spiced pumpkin cake for a dessert that’s both nostalgic and seasonal.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • ½ cup oil
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup crushed Oreos

Instructions:

  1. Mix dry and wet ingredients separately, then combine.
  2. Fold in crushed Oreos.
  3. Bake in a 9-inch pan for 30–35 minutes.
  4. Top with cookies-and-cream frosting.

7. Pumpkin Cheesecake Cake Recipe

Two desserts in one: moist pumpkin cake layers sandwiched around a creamy cheesecake center.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • ¾ cup oil
  • 2 eggs
  • Cheesecake layer: 8 oz cream cheese, ½ cup sugar, 1 egg

Instructions:

  1. Pour half the pumpkin batter into a springform pan.
  2. Add cheesecake layer, then top with remaining batter.
  3. Bake for 50–55 minutes. Chill before serving.

8. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting Cake Recipe

A cozy dessert with pumpkin spice cake topped with a velvety cream cheese frosting that melts beautifully into every slice.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • ½ cup oil
  • 2 eggs
  • Frosting: 8 oz cream cheese, ½ cup butter, 2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions:

  1. Prepare and bake cake for 30 minutes at 350°F.
  2. Whip frosting and spread over cooled cake.

9. Pumpkin Olive Oil Cake Recipe

Extra-moist and rich in flavor, this cake uses olive oil to create a delicate texture with a subtle fruity note.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • ¾ cup olive oil
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. Mix ingredients until smooth.
  2. Pour into loaf or round pan and bake for 35 minutes.
  3. Dust with powdered sugar or glaze lightly.

10. The Best Pumpkin Pie Cake Recipe

Everything you love about pumpkin pie in cake form — creamy, spiced, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • ½ cup butter, melted
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients and pour into an 8-inch pan.
  2. Bake for 35–40 minutes.
  3. Serve warm with whipped cream.

Final Thoughts

Each of these pumpkin cakes captures the cozy flavors of fall in its own special way — from brown butter frosting to creamy cheesecake layers. They’re easy to make, full of warm spices, and guaranteed to make your kitchen smell like a dream.