If you love baking with pumpkin, you’re going to love this collection of the Best Pumpkin Cake Recipes! From easy pumpkin sheet cakes and coffee cakes to beautiful Bundt cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes and special holiday desserts, there are so many delicious ways to enjoy pumpkin season.
Pumpkin is one of my favorite ingredients to bake with in the fall. It adds moisture to cakes, tastes wonderful with warm spices and pairs especially well with cream cheese frosting, chocolate, pecans and caramel.
I’ve gathered 25 delicious pumpkin cake recipes that are perfect for everything from a cozy weekend at home to Halloween parties and Thanksgiving celebrations. Some are simple enough for everyday baking, while others are beautiful desserts you’ll want to share with family and friends. These are great recipes to make with canned pumpkin!
Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Cake Recipes
- A wonderful variety of sheet cakes, coffee cakes, Bundt cakes, pound cakes, cupcakes and more.
- Plenty of delicious combinations featuring pumpkin, cream cheese, chocolate and fall spices.
- Easy everyday cakes as well as special desserts for holiday entertaining.
- Lots of great ways to use canned pumpkin puree.
- Recipes for parties, potlucks, Thanksgiving and fall baking.
Pumpkin Sheet Cakes and Coffee Cakes
Sometimes a simple pumpkin cake is all you need! These sheet cakes, coffee cakes and snack cakes are easy to serve and perfect for sharing. They’re great for fall gatherings, weekend baking and enjoying with a cup of coffee.
1. Pumpkin Sheet Cake
A classic pumpkin sheet cake is always a good idea for fall. It’s an easy dessert to make when you want plenty of servings without the work of assembling a layer cake.
2. Pumpkin Coffee Cake
This coffee cake has a delicious layer of pumpkin filling tucked between layers of sour cream coffee cake, with a buttery cinnamon streusel topping. It’s almost like having pumpkin pie and coffee cake in the same bite!
3. Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
This moist pumpkin sheet cake is topped with a generous layer of creamy frosting. It’s a great dessert for feeding a crowd and one you’ll want to make throughout pumpkin season.
4. Pumpkin Layer Cake
This is a traditional two layer pumpkin cake with a generous amount of cream cheese frosting.
5. Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake
This is a dessert like no other. A rich pumpkin cream cheese filling nestled on golden cake crust; the ultimate seasonal treat!
Pumpkin Bundt Cakes, Pound Cakes and Loaf Cakes
There’s something special about a homemade Bundt cake or pound cake. These pumpkin cakes are wonderful for slicing and sharing, and many are pretty enough to serve as the centerpiece of a fall dessert table.
6. Pumpkin Loaf Cake
This pumpkin loaf cake is a simple fall favorite that’s easy to slice and serve. It’s a nice choice when you want something homemade without making an elaborate dessert.
7. Pumpkin Pound Cake
A pumpkin twist on traditional pound cake makes a delicious fall dessert. It’s a lovely choice to enjoy with coffee or tea.
8. Pumpkin and Ginger Pound Cake
Pumpkin and ginger come together in this flavorful pound cake. The combination is especially nice for fall and holiday baking.
9. Pumpkin Cranberry Upside Down Cake
Pumpkin and cranberries make a beautiful combination in this festive upside-down cake. It’s a wonderful choice when you want something a little different for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
10. Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
A moist, spiced pumpkin Bundt cake topped with rich cream cheese frosting is hard to resist. It’s a beautiful dessert that looks impressive without requiring complicated decorating.
11. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake
This festive chocolate chip pumpkin bundt cake is soft, moist, and full of fall spices and gooey chocolate chips. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving or any occasion!
12. Pumpkin Pecan Skillet Cake
Pumpkin and pecans are a delicious combination, and baking them together in a skillet makes this a fun dessert for fall. It’s a great choice for a cozy gathering.
Pumpkin Cupcakes and Mini Cakes
Individual pumpkin cakes are perfect for parties, bake sales and holiday celebrations. They’re easy to serve, fun to decorate and a delicious way to enjoy your favorite fall flavors.
13. Gingerbread Cupcakes with Pumpkin Frosting
These cupcakes combine the warm spices of gingerbread with pumpkin frosting. They’re a fun dessert that works beautifully for both fall and the holiday season.
14. Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Pumpkin cupcakes and cream cheese frosting are a classic combination. They’re perfect for Halloween parties, fall gatherings or anytime you’re craving a little pumpkin treat.
15. Mini Pumpkin Bundt Cakes
These adorable miniature pumpkin cakes are especially fun for fall entertaining. Their pumpkin-shaped appearance makes them a festive addition to a Halloween or Thanksgiving dessert table.
Special Pumpkin Cakes and Layer Cakes
If you’re looking for something a little more impressive, these pumpkin cakes are worth considering. From rolled cakes with cream cheese filling to beautifully decorated layer cakes, they’re wonderful desserts for celebrating pumpkin season.
16. Pumpkin Cheesecake Cake
Why choose between pumpkin cake and cheesecake when you can have both? This dessert brings together two fall favorites in one special cake.
17. Pumpkin Dump Cake
This easy pumpkin dessert has a creamy, spiced pumpkin layer with a buttery cake mix topping. Serve it warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a comforting fall treat.
18. Pumpkin Roll
A beautiful pumpkin cake roll is always a favorite for the holidays! Soft, spiced pumpkin cake is rolled around a thick layer of cream cheese frosting, creating a pretty spiral in every slice.
19. Pumpkin Poke Cake
Moist pumpkin cake infused with caramel, topped with whipped topping, pecans, and toffee pieces, and served cold for the ultimate fall treat!
20. White and Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Cake
Pumpkin and chocolate go together so deliciously, but why choose between white and dark chocolate when you can have them both! This White and Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Cake is moist, easy to make, and it’s good down to the last crumb!
21. Two-Ingredient Pumpkin Cake
Such an easy cake to make, it’s just cake mix and canned pumpkin to make a delicious cake. And there’s an apple cider glaze drizzled on top.
22. 4-Layer Pumpkin Cake
This is a luscious, tall layer cake with fall spices and creamy pumpkin cream. Serve this dessert for Thanksgiving or a fall dinner party.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipes
Pumpkin and cheesecake are two flavors that belong together! These creamy desserts are wonderful alternatives to traditional pumpkin pie and are especially nice for Thanksgiving.
23. Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake
This beautiful cheesecake combines classic cheesecake with pumpkin for a pretty swirled dessert. It’s a wonderful choice when you want something special for a holiday gathering.
24. Pumpkin Cheesecake
Rich, creamy pumpkin cheesecake is a delicious alternative to traditional pumpkin pie. It’s a great make-ahead dessert for Thanksgiving and other fall celebrations.
25. Low Fat Pumpkin Cheesecake
This lighter pumpkin cheesecake is a nice alternative to a traditional rich cheesecake while still giving you those delicious pumpkin flavors.
Tips for baking the best Pumpkin Cakes
- Use plain pumpkin puree. Most pumpkin cake recipes call for unsweetened pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling, which already contains sugar and spices.
- Measure the flour carefully. Too much flour can make cakes dry or dense. Spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it off, or use a kitchen scale when the recipe provides weights.
- Don’t overmix your batter. Once the flour is added, mix just until the ingredients are combined unless the recipe directs otherwise.
- Use fresh spices. Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and allspice are especially delicious in pumpkin cakes.
- Prepare your baking pans properly. Bundt pans have lots of crevices, so be sure to grease them thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Check for doneness. Start checking your cakes at the earliest baking time listed. Most traditional cakes are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Let cakes cool before frosting. Cream cheese frosting and buttercream can melt if spread onto a warm cake.
- Follow storage instructions. Cakes with cream cheese frosting, cheesecake layers or other perishable fillings should be refrigerated.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Cakes
What makes pumpkin cake so moist?
Pumpkin puree contains moisture that helps create soft, tender cakes. Many recipes also include oil, butter, sour cream or applesauce for additional moisture.
Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?
It’s best to use plain unsweetened pumpkin puree unless the recipe specifically calls for pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling already contains sugar and spices, which can affect the finished cake.
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin?
Yes! Homemade pumpkin puree can work in many recipes. Just make sure it’s thick rather than watery, since excess moisture can change the texture of your cake.
What’s the best frosting for pumpkin cake?
Cream cheese frosting is one of the most popular choices because its tangy flavor complements sweet, spiced pumpkin cake. Maple frosting, vanilla buttercream and simple powdered sugar glazes are also delicious.
Can pumpkin cakes be made ahead of time?
Absolutely! Many pumpkin cakes are great make-ahead desserts. You can often bake the cake a day in advance and frost it closer to serving time. Follow the individual recipe’s instructions for storing and serving.
Can you freeze pumpkin cake?
Many unfrosted pumpkin cakes freeze well. Let the cake cool completely, wrap it tightly and freeze according to the individual recipe’s recommendations.
Why is my pumpkin cake dense?
Using too much flour or pumpkin puree, overmixing the batter or underbaking can affect the texture. Carefully measuring your ingredients and following the recipe instructions will give you the best results.
Do pumpkin cakes need to be refrigerated?
Plain pumpkin cakes may be stored at room temperature for a short time, depending on the recipe. Cakes with cream cheese frosting, cheesecake fillings or other perishable ingredients should be refrigerated.
More Pumpkin Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re looking for even more ways to bake with pumpkin, be sure to check out my 44 Recipes to Make with Canned Pumpkin collection. It’s filled with sweet and savory pumpkin recipes for the entire fall season.
You might also enjoy my collection of Best Pumpkin Cookies and Bars!
