Description
A moist and flavorful pumpkin cake topped with crunchy pecans, perfect for fall gatherings.
Ingredients
Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp salt
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
½ cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup milk
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2–3 Tbsp milk or cream (for consistency)
Garnish (optional):
Extra chopped pecans or pecan halves
Light cinnamon dusting
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or two 9-inch round cake pans.
Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla, and milk until smooth.
Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Fold in toasted pecans.
Bake: Pour batter into the prepared pan(s) and bake for 30–35 minutes (9×13) or 25–30 minutes (round pans), or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
Make frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter together until creamy. Add powdered sugar gradually, then vanilla, and enough milk to reach a smooth, spreadable consistency.
Frost and serve: Spread frosting over cooled cake. Garnish with extra pecans and a dusting of cinnamon if desired.
Notes
Nut toasting tip: Toast pecans in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes to enhance flavor.
Make-ahead: Cake layers can be baked and frozen (wrapped well) for up to 2 months before frosting.
Sheet cake option: This works beautifully as a one-layer frosted sheet cake for easy serving.
Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Fall Baking
