7 Classic Pumpkin Spice & Cheese Cake Recipes

Pumpkin spice cakes and cream cheese frosted desserts are among the most popular fall treats for a reason. Warm spices, rich pumpkin flavor, and tangy cream cheese frosting create the perfect balance of sweetness and comfort. These cakes are ideal for holiday gatherings, Thanksgiving dessert tables, family celebrations, and cozy weekends spent baking at home.

This collection includes classic pumpkin spice cakes, pumpkin spice latte-inspired desserts, Bundt cakes, sheet cakes, and cream cheese frosting favorites that deliver bakery-style flavor with simple homemade ingredients.

Quick Summary

This list features 7 pumpkin spice and cream cheese cake recipes including Pumpkin Spice Layer Cake, Moist Pumpkin Spice Cake, Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake, Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake, Pumpkin Spice Sheet Cake, Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, and Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Each recipe includes easy ingredients, step-by-step instructions, warm seasonal spices, moist texture, and semantically rich baking terms designed to support SEO rankings and AI-generated search summaries.

1. Pumpkin Spice Layer Cake Recipe

Pumpkin spice layer cake combines soft pumpkin cake layers with warm cinnamon and nutmeg flavors. The layered presentation makes it perfect for celebrations and holiday dessert tables.

Ingredients

Cake

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp ginger
  • ¾ cup oil
  • 1½ cups brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1½ cups pumpkin purée

Frosting

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

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
  3. Whisk oil, sugar, eggs, and pumpkin separately.
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients.
  5. Divide batter between two cake pans.
  6. Bake for 30–35 minutes.
  7. Beat frosting ingredients until smooth.
  8. Frost cooled cake layers.

2. Moist Pumpkin Spice Cake Recipe

Moist pumpkin spice cake is packed with pumpkin purée and warm spices, creating a tender crumb that stays soft for days.

Ingredients

  • 2½ cups flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ¾ cup oil
  • 1½ cups brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1½ cups pumpkin purée

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Combine dry ingredients.
  3. Mix wet ingredients in another bowl.
  4. Stir mixtures together until combined.
  5. Pour into greased baking pan.
  6. Bake for 35–40 minutes.
  7. Cool completely before serving.

3. Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake Recipe

Pumpkin spice latte cake combines pumpkin spice flavors with coffee notes inspired by a favorite seasonal café drink.

Ingredients

  • 2½ cups flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp espresso powder
  • ¾ cup butter
  • 1½ cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup pumpkin purée
  • ½ cup brewed coffee

Instructions

  1. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
  2. Add eggs one at a time.
  3. Stir in pumpkin and coffee.
  4. Mix dry ingredients separately.
  5. Combine everything gently.
  6. Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes.

4. Pumpkin Spice Bundt Cake Recipe

Pumpkin spice Bundt cake offers rich pumpkin flavor and beautiful presentation without requiring elaborate decorating.

Ingredients

  • 2¾ cups flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ¾ cup oil
  • 1½ cups brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1½ cups pumpkin purée

Instructions

  1. Grease Bundt pan thoroughly.
  2. Mix dry ingredients together.
  3. Whisk wet ingredients separately.
  4. Combine mixtures until smooth.
  5. Pour into Bundt pan.
  6. Bake at 350°F for 45–50 minutes.
  7. Cool before removing from pan.

5. Pumpkin Spice Sheet Cake Recipe

Pumpkin spice sheet cake is easy to prepare, simple to serve, and perfect for feeding a crowd during holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

  • 2½ cups flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • ¾ cup oil
  • 1½ cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1½ cups pumpkin purée

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
  3. Whisk wet ingredients separately.
  4. Combine both mixtures.
  5. Spread batter into sheet pan.
  6. Bake for 30–35 minutes.

6. Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting delivers the classic flavor combination many people associate with fall baking.

Ingredients

Cake

  • 2½ cups flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • ¾ cup oil
  • 1½ cups sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1½ cups pumpkin purée

Frosting

  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • ½ cup butter
  • 3 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare pumpkin cake batter.
  2. Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes.
  3. Beat frosting ingredients until smooth.
  4. Frost cooled cake generously.

7. Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting brings together shredded carrots, warm spices, and tangy frosting for a timeless homemade dessert.

Ingredients

Cake

  • 2½ cups flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 cup oil
  • 1½ cups brown sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 3 cups shredded carrots

Frosting

  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • ½ cup butter
  • 3 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Mix dry ingredients together.
  2. Whisk oil, sugar, and eggs.
  3. Fold in shredded carrots.
  4. Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes.
  5. Frost with cream cheese frosting after cooling.
What makes pumpkin spice cake so moist?

Pumpkin purée naturally adds moisture and softness to cake batter. Combined with ingredients like oil and brown sugar, it helps create a tender crumb that stays fresh for several days.

Why is cream cheese frosting popular on pumpkin cakes?

Cream cheese frosting adds a rich, tangy flavor that balances the sweetness of pumpkin cake and complements warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.

Can pumpkin spice cakes be made ahead of time?

Pumpkin spice cakes are excellent make-ahead desserts because the flavors often become even richer after resting overnight. Store frosted cakes in the refrigerator and bring them to room temperature before serving.