How to Make Thanksgiving Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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Extremely moist, flavorful, and richly spiced, homemade pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting can be made in just a few simple steps. While we've prepared this as a single layer cake, the recipe can easily be doubled to create a layer cake version.

Image Credit: Ashley Manila
Image Credit: Ashley Manila

Things You'll Need

  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed

  • 1/4 cup canola, vegetable, or coconut oil (I used melted coconut oil because I love the slight flavor it adds to the overall cake)

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

  • 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

  • 1/3 cup whole milk

  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

  • 1/2 teaspoon all-spice

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 cup raisins

  • 1/2 cup diced nuts

  • 8 oz full-fat cream cheese, very soft

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, very soft

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Generously grease a 9-inch springform pan; set aside. In a large bowl combine the eggs, sugars, oil, butter, pumpkin, milk, vanilla, and spices; beat well to combine. Add in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; stir until just combined. Fold in the raisins, and nuts, gently stirring together until incorporated.

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Image Credit: Ashley Manila
Image Credit: Ashley Manila

Step 2

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake cake for 42 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs attached). Allow the cake to cool for 20 minutes in the pan, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Image Credit: Ashley Manila
Image Credit: Ashley Manila

Step 3

While the cake is cooling, make your cream cheese frosting. For complete instructions (it's super easy!) use our favorite frosting recipe found in our Homemade Carrot Cake tutorial.

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Once your cake is completely cooled, generously spread the frosting over the cake. Feel free to top with chopped nuts for extra flavor and texture. Enjoy!

Image Credit: Ashley Manila
Image Credit: Ashley Manila

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