Pumpkin Caramel Cake with Caramel Buttercream Made Easy

When I think back to my childhood, I remember the warm hum of the kitchen, where comfort food brought everyone together. That same feeling comes alive in this pumpkin caramel cake—a recipe that blends simplicity with irresistible fall flavor. It’s easy, customizable, and perfect for families who love quick, satisfying treats. Whether you prefer a pumpkin poke cake, a soft pumpkin sponge cake, or that dreamy caramel pumpkin cake Crumbl style, this one delivers every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This pumpkin caramel cake recipe is everything you want in a cozy, fall-inspired dessert—easy, reliable, and packed with flavor. If you love a soft, moist pumpkin cake or crave that caramel pumpkin cake Crumbl experience, this version brings those indulgent flavors right into your kitchen. The warm spices and fresh pumpkin create the richness you expect from an old fashioned pumpkin caramel cake, while the caramel drizzle adds a buttery sweetness that transforms every bite.

Whether you enjoy a salted caramel pumpkin cake, a pumpkin poke cake Pioneer Woman style, or a pumpkin caramel cake with condensed milk for extra moisture, this recipe adapts effortlessly. Busy nights? It works beautifully as an easy pumpkin caramel cake. Celebrations? Turn it into a stunning pumpkin layer cake with caramel buttercream or a decadent pumpkin layer cake with caramel cream cheese frosting. You can even keep it simple as a light pumpkin sponge cake that pairs perfectly with fall gatherings.

From weeknight treats to special occasions, this pumpkin caramel cake pioneer woman–inspired dessert offers comfort, flexibility, and crowd-pleasing autumn charm. It’s the kind of recipe your family will request again and again.

Ingredients for This Recipe

This pumpkin caramel cake recipe is built on simple, reliable ingredients that create rich flavor and perfect texture. The base features warm spices, fresh pumpkin purée, and a blend of sugars for moisture and depth—ideal for any pumpkin cake variation, from an old fashioned pumpkin caramel cake to an easy pumpkin caramel cake for weeknights. Oil and melted butter ensure softness, while the eggs provide structure. The caramel sauce adds that classic buttery sweetness found in a pumpkin caramel cake with condensed milk or a caramel pumpkin cake Crumbl style.

For extra indulgence, you can finish the cake with caramel buttercream, caramel cream cheese frosting, or even keep it light like a pumpkin sponge cake. Each frosting option complements versions such as a pumpkin poke cake Pioneer Woman or a pumpkin layer cake with caramel buttercream. Whether you want a pumpkin layer cake with caramel cream cheese frosting or a more rustic pumpkin caramel cake recipe, these ingredients help you create a dessert that’s deeply flavorful, adaptable, and full of autumn charm.

🛒 Ingredients (for one 9-inch layer cake or 9×13 sheet cake):

— For the Pumpkin Cake —
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice (or blend listed above)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup pumpkin purée
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup whole milk or buttermilk

— For the Caramel Sauce (or use store-bought) —
1 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup heavy cream
½ teaspoon salt

— For the Frosting (choose one) —
Caramel Buttercream:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
½ cup caramel sauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
¼ cup caramel sauce
Pinch of salt

— Optional Garnishes —
Extra caramel
Toasted pecans or walnuts
Crushed gingersnaps
Sea salt flakes

How to Make This Recipe

This pumpkin caramel cake recipe comes together easily with simple, reliable steps that highlight the rich flavors of pumpkin, warm spices, and buttery caramel. Whether you’re aiming for an old fashioned pumpkin caramel cake, a pumpkin sponge cake, or a caramel pumpkin cake Crumbl style dessert, the method stays approachable and flexible. The moist pumpkin cake with fresh pumpkin forms the perfect base, while the caramel transforms it into a deeply flavorful pumpkin caramel cake recipe suitable for any occasion.

You can bake it as an easy pumpkin caramel cake for a weeknight treat or elevate it into a pumpkin layer cake with caramel buttercream or a pumpkin layer cake with caramel cream cheese frosting for special gatherings. Prefer a pumpkin poke cake Pioneer Woman twist? You can pour caramel into warm holes for extra richness. Even a pumpkin caramel cake with condensed milk variation works beautifully with these steps. This guide keeps the process simple while giving you room to customize your pumpkin caramel cake pioneer woman–style creation.

🛒 Steps:

— Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan —
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round pan or a 9×13 baking dish.

— Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients —
Whisk the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to create the dry blend that gives the pumpkin cake its structure.

— Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients —
Mix pumpkin purée, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and milk or buttermilk. This ensures the pumpkin cake stays tender and moist.

— Step 4: Bring the Batter Together —
Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until smooth. This produces the perfect base for a pumpkin sponge cake or an old fashioned pumpkin caramel cake.

— Step 5: Bake the Cake —
Pour the batter into the pan and bake 30–40 minutes, depending on the pan. Cool completely before adding caramel or frosting.

— Step 6: Add the Caramel Layer —
Spread homemade or store-bought caramel over the cooled cake. For a pumpkin poke cake Pioneer Woman style, poke holes first and let the caramel seep in.

— Step 7: Frost and Finish —
Use caramel buttercream or caramel cream cheese frosting to create a pumpkin layer cake with caramel buttercream or caramel layer cake with cream cheese frosting.

— Step 8: Garnish and Serve —
Drizzle extra caramel, sprinkle sea salt, or add nuts for a gourmet finish. This works for everything from a salted caramel pumpkin cake to a caramel pumpkin cake Crumbl recreation.

Expert Cooking Tips

Creating the perfect Pumpkin Caramel Cake is all about texture, moisture, and enhancing those warm fall flavors. Whether you’re making an easy pumpkin caramel cake for a busy weeknight or elevating it into a pumpkin layer cake with caramel buttercream for a celebration, these techniques help intensify flavor and guarantee success. Using pumpkin cake with fresh pumpkin gives deeper richness, while adding caramel transforms the crumb into a decadent pumpkin caramel cake recipe similar to a caramel pumpkin cake Crumbl treat. For an old fashioned pumpkin caramel cake or a pumpkin sponge cake, the key is balancing moisture with structure. You can also adapt these tips for a pumpkin poke cake Pioneer Woman style, a pumpkin caramel cake with condensed milk, or a pumpkin layer cake with caramel cream cheese frosting. Each variation keeps the heart of a classic pumpkin caramel cake pioneer woman–inspired dessert while boosting flavor and presentation.

💡 Expert Tips:

— Tip 1: Use fresh or well-strained pumpkin purée for deeper flavor and an ultra-moist pumpkin cake.
— Tip 2: Warm the caramel slightly before spreading for smoother coverage, especially for caramel pumpkin cake Crumbl style results.
— Tip 3: Freeze cake layers for 20 minutes before frosting to create clean, bakery-style pumpkin layer cakes with caramel buttercream or cream cheese frosting.
— Tip 4: For a richer texture, add a few tablespoons of condensed milk directly into the batter to mimic a pumpkin caramel cake with condensed milk.
— Tip 5: Add extra spice for an old fashioned pumpkin caramel cake flavor profile—cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger brighten the caramel.
— Tip 6: Turn this into a pumpkin poke cake Pioneer Woman variation by poking holes in the warm cake and letting caramel sink inside.
— Tip 7: For a light pumpkin sponge cake feel, fold the batter gently and avoid overmixing.
— Tip 8: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top to create a balanced salted caramel pumpkin cake finish.

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This pumpkin caramel cake recipe brings together the best of fall flavors in a dessert that’s both comforting and versatile. Whether you choose an easy pumpkin caramel cake for weeknight treats, a pumpkin sponge cake for lighter indulgence, or a decadent pumpkin layer cake with caramel buttercream or pumpkin layer cake with caramel cream cheese frosting for special occasions, every variation delivers moist, warmly spiced pumpkin cake with rich caramel sweetness. From a salted caramel pumpkin cake to a pumpkin poke cake Pioneer Woman twist or even a pumpkin caramel cake with condensed milk, this recipe adapts beautifully. It’s a tried-and-true old fashioned pumpkin caramel cake and a pumpkin caramel cake pioneer woman–inspired favorite that’s sure to delight family and friends, making it a go-to dessert for fall gatherings and beyond.

Pumpkin Caramel Cake

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• Author: Savannah
• Total Time: 40–45 minutes
• Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

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Description

A moist, warmly spiced pumpkin cake soaked or layered with rich caramel sauce. This cozy fall dessert can be topped with salted caramel, whipped cream, or caramel frosting. Perfect for autumn gatherings, Thanksgiving, or anytime you want a sweet, buttery pumpkin treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

🛒 Ingredients (for one 9-inch layer cake or 9×13 sheet cake):

For the Pumpkin Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice (or 2 tsp cinnamon + 1 tsp ginger + ½ tsp nutmeg + ¼ tsp cloves)

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 cup pumpkin purée (fresh or canned)

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup brown sugar, packed

• ½ cup vegetable oil

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

• 3 large eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• ½ cup whole milk or buttermilk

For the Caramel Sauce (or use store-bought):

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter

• ½ cup heavy cream

• ½ teaspoon salt (optional for salted caramel)

For the Frosting (choose one):

Caramel Buttercream:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

• 3 cups powdered sugar

• ½ cup caramel sauce

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

OR Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• 3 cups powdered sugar

• ¼ cup caramel sauce

• Pinch of salt

Optional Garnishes:

• Extra caramel drizzle

• Toasted pecans or walnuts

• Crushed gingersnaps

• Sea salt flakes

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Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Make the Caramel (if homemade)

1. Heat sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until melted and amber.

2. Add butter and whisk until dissolved.

3. Slowly pour in heavy cream and whisk until smooth.

4. Stir in salt. Cool completely.

Step 2: Bake the Pumpkin Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round or 9×13 pan.

2. In a bowl, whisk flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

3. In another bowl, whisk pumpkin purée, sugar, brown sugar, oil, melted butter, eggs, vanilla, and milk.

4. Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined.

5. Pour batter into pan and bake:

   • Round cake: 30–35 minutes

   • 9×13 cake: 35–40 minutes

6. Cool completely.

Step 3: Frost or Fill With Caramel

Choose your style:

Layered Caramel Cake

• Slice cake in half horizontally.

• Brush caramel sauce over each layer.

• Frost with caramel buttercream or caramel cream cheese frosting.

Pumpkin Caramel Poke Cake

• While warm, poke holes all over with a wooden spoon.

• Pour caramel sauce into the holes.

• Once cooled, frost with whipped cream or caramel frosting.

Step 4: Decorate

 

• Drizzle extra caramel over the top.

• Add toasted pecans, gingersnap crumbs, or flaky sea salt for crunch.

• Chill 20–30 minutes before slicing for clean cuts.

Notes

• Fresh Pumpkin Option: Roast sugar pumpkin, purée, and strain—use 1 cup.
• Stronger Caramel Flavor: Mix 1–2 extra tablespoons caramel into the batter.
• Sturdier Layers: Freeze cake layers 20 minutes before frosting.
• Make Ahead: Bake cake 1 day ahead; frost the day of serving.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
• Category: Dessert / Fall Cakes
• Method: Baked / Frosted
• Cuisine: American