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slice of pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting on a white plate.
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Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting 

This easy Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a spiced pumpkin sheet cake recipe topped with a dreamy, rich cream cheese frosting. Made entirely from scratch, it’s a fluffy and moist cake with a tender crumb that’s perfect for the fall season.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Pumpkin Cake
Servings: 12 slices
Author: Michelle

Ingredients

Pumpkin Cake Bars

  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup canola oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 1 15oz can pumpkin puree
  • 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Cake:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease your 9x13 baking dish (or line with parchment paper). Set aside.
  • In a large bowl with a hand mixer (or in the bowl of a stand mixer), mix large eggs, canola oil, pumpkin purée, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together on a low speed.
  • Once the wet ingredients are combined, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves to the wet ingredients (the pumpkin mixture). Mix on a low speed until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Pour the cake batter into the prepared baking dish, and spread the batter in an even layer.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool before frosting.

Frosting:

  • With a standing mixer or hand mixer, beat cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy. Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is combined and the frosting is smooth.

Assembly:

  • Spread the cream cheese frosting on top of the cooled cake, spreading all the way to the edges of the cake. If desired, sprinkle the top of the frosting with toasted pecans or walnuts.
  • Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve.