Description
A moist, spiced pumpkin cake perfect for Halloween celebrations. This cake can be decorated with cream cheese frosting, pumpkin-shaped toppers, or spooky Halloween accents. Ideal for parties, it’s both festive and delicious, with a rich pumpkin flavor and warm spices.
Ingredients
🛒 Ingredients (for one 9-inch round cake):
For the Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup pumpkin puree (fresh or canned)
½ cup buttermilk
For the Frosting:
16 oz (2 packages) cream cheese, softened
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2–3 tablespoons milk, to adjust consistency
For Decorations:
Pumpkin-shaped toppers or fondant pumpkins
Orange and black sprinkles
Edible glitter (optional)
Candy eyes or small chocolate bats for a spooky touch
Instructions
📝 Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare Cake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
In a large bowl, cream butter and both sugars until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla.
Mix in pumpkin puree. Gradually add dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk until smooth.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
Step 2: Frost Cake
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Add powdered sugar gradually and beat until creamy. Mix in vanilla and adjust consistency with milk.
Apply a crumb coat to the cooled cake and chill for 20 minutes.
Frost the cake fully and smooth with an offset spatula.
Step 3: Decorate
Place pumpkin toppers or fondant decorations on top.
Sprinkle with orange and black accents, edible glitter, or candy for a festive touch.
Optionally add candy eyes or chocolate bats for a spooky Halloween vibe.
Notes
Make Ahead: Bake the cake a day in advance; frost and decorate on the day of serving.
Mini Version: Bake as cupcakes and decorate each with a small pumpkin topper.
Spice Adjustment: Add more cinnamon or nutmeg for a stronger pumpkin spice flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
- Category: Dessert / Halloween Cake
- Method: Baked / Decorated
- Cuisine: American