Easy Pumpkin Cake Recipe

I have never been much of a baker but this is so pumpkin flavor dessert recipe is so simple. Anyone can make this!

However, this cake has only 3 ingredients: cake mix, canned pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice. You can’t get much easier than that and even I can’t mess this one up. It is the time of year when we start to think about all things pumpkin. Try these other pumpkin flavor recipe – easy pumpkin coffee cake recipe, easy pumpkin banana bread recipe, pumpkin bread pudding, Libby’s pumpkin bread recipe, pumpkin chocolate chip bread, crockpot pumpkin pie, no-bake pumpkin pie, and Eagle Brand pumpkin pie.

Why This Recipe Works

Bring this to your Thanksgiving feast and your family will be so impressed. This cake is always a huge hit and the perfect fall dessert. No one would ever guess this recipe only has 3 ingredients. It’s so simple.

It is the type of recipe that is so easy to throw together at the last minute. Don’t we all need a recipe like this? See More Pumpkin Desserts for even more ideas.

Ingredients

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

• Pumpkin Muffins – There are simple ways to change this cake recipe. The next time I make it I think I will add a crumble topping like the one I used on these Pumpkin Muffins.
• Mix-Ins – You can also add chopped nuts or maybe even raisins. Brown Sugar would be tasty too and will add a delicious flavor to this recipe.
• Chocolate Chips – I have mixed in ½ cups of chocolate chips and white chocolate chips in this cake batter before putting it in the pan.  This small amount of chocolate chips added a nice flavor but was not too overpowering so you could still taste the pumpkin in the recipe. 
• Cream Cheese Frosting – You can make pumpkin cake recipe with cream cheese frosting.  I would use a cream cheese frosting similar to the one that I used in this Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese frosting recipe.   Buttercream frosting is also good.
• Cake Mix – You can definitely make this cake your own by using different cake mixes. My sister made this recipe with a carrot cake mix and I was nervous but it tasted amazing. Try it with spice cake mix, golden butter mix, yellow or white cake mix is another option.
• Homemade Whipped Cream – Top with whipped cream to make this even more delicious.

How to Make Pumpkin Cake

Step 1 – First preheat oven to 350. Mix cake mix, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice until well blended in large bowl with a hand mixer or a stand mixer.

Step 2 – Just bake at 350 degrees according to the cake mix directions. 

Step 3 – Whisk together the glaze ingredients until a pourable drizzle forms.

Step 4 – Next drizzle the powdered sugar glaze over the top of the cake. Let the cake cool completely on wire rack and serve the cake at room temperature.

Expert Tips

• Pumpkin – If you prefer fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin, learn how to make Pumpkin Puree. This is a great alternative to canned pumpkin that is also very frugal. I keep it in the freezer so I can just grab and go for recipes like this. Freeze it in 1 cup increments and it’s so handy. Do not use pumpkin pie filling in this recipe. The results will not be the same.
• Pumpkin Spice – Try making  Pumpkin Pie Spice from scratch. It is much cheaper than buying the small jars from the store.
• Baking Dish – Prepare baking dish by spraying with cooking spray. This helps to easily serve and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Glaze Consistency – Add more powdered sugar if its too thin or more apple juice or water if its too thick. You will love this glaze.

How to Know When Cake is Finished Baking

Baking time will vary depending the size of the pan you use and your oven. The best way to tell that the cake is finished baking is to use a toothpick. Insert the toothpick in the center of the cake and if it comes out clean, then the cake is finished baking.

Follow the baking instructions on the back of the cake mix box.