This Easy Pumpkin Cake is our favorite, fluffy, moist and absolutely delicious pumpkin cake. It has a tender, moist and delicate crumb. The marshmallow-like whipped cream cheese frosting takes it over the top.

Easy pumpkin cake with marshmallow-like cream cheese frosting

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I invited my sisters and their families over for dinner this week and everyone really enjoyed it, especially the kids. I asked if they would be more likely to re-make this as a double decker fancy cake or an easy peasy sheet cake and the consensus was: EASY. Like 4 steps easy, including frosting!

Pumpkin Cake Recipe

If you aren’t a major pumpkin fan yet, you will be after trying this! We are quite smitten with this cake. It is on the regular rotation at our house in Autumn. Plus, it’s not overly sweet so there’s no avoiding that second helping ;).

Pumpkin Cake Recipe topped with chopped walnuts

This pumpkin sheet cake recipe was shared by one of my readers, Yulia. Thank you so much for sharing this treasure of a recipe with us! Some of our favorite recipes have been shared by our readers, like this persimmon bread. I love it when you all write in sharing your favorite recipes and tips. Those are my favorite kinds of emails! Thanks for thinking of me :).

Ingredients for Easy Pumpkin Cake

2 cups all-purpose flour *measured correctly
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 tsp baking soda (sifted to get rid of lumps)
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp fine sea salt
3 large eggs, room temp
1 cup oil (extra light olive oil, vegetable or corn oil will work)
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree (or make your own!)

*Watch our easy video tutorial on how to measure correctly

Ingredients for easy pumpkin cake

Ingredients for the Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 package (8oz) Cream Cheese, room temp, cut into quarters
1 stick (8 Tbsp) unsalted butter butter, room temp
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tsp real vanilla extract
Pecans to decorate, optional

Ingredients for Cream Cheese Frosting

How to Make Easy Pumpkin Cake:

Prep: Preheat oven to 350˚F. Using cooking spray or oil, grease a 9×13 non-stick baking pan (like this one) or a Glass pyrex dish. Tip: If you’re serving it out of a metal pan, line it with parchment paper so you don’t scratch up your pan. 

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: 2 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp salt.

Easy Pumpkin Cake Recipe-10

2. In a second medium bowl, whisk together wet ingredients: 3 large eggs, 1 cup oil and 1 can pumpkin, until well combined.

Easy Pumpkin Cake Recipe-11

3. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and whisk until smooth. Transfer to prepared baking dish and bake at 350˚F for 35-40 min (my oven took 35 mins), or until a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean. Let cake cool completely in pan then spread the top with frosting (see below) and decorate with pecans or sprinkles.

This Easy Pumpkin Cake is done in 4 steps (with frosting)! The moist, delicate crumb and marshmallow-like whipped cream cheese frosting is irresistible!This Easy Pumpkin Cake is done in 4 steps (with frosting)! The moist, delicate crumb and marshmallow-like whipped cream cheese frosting is irresistible!

How to Make Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. Combine all of your frosting ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer (here’s the mixer I use) and using the whisk attachment, beat on medium speed until combined, then beat on high speed 2-3 min or until fluffy, scraping down the bowl as needed.

Easy Pumpkin Cake Recipe-13

How to Make Pumpkin Cake in 4 easy steps

More Dreamy Pumpkin Recipes:

Watch Natasha Make Pumpkin Cake:

You’ll be surprised how easy it is to make this pumpkin cake!

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Easy Pumpkin Cake Recipe

4.97 from 459 votes
This Easy Pumpkin Cake is done in 4 steps (with frosting)! The moist, delicate crumb and marshmallow-like whipped cream cheese frosting is irresistible!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 12 slices of cake

Ingredients for Pumpkin Cake:

Ingredients for Frosting:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, room temp, cut into quarters
  • 8 Tbsp unsalted butter butter, room temp
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pecans to decorate, optional

Instructions

How to Make Pumpkin Cake:

  • Prep: Preheat oven to 350˚F. Grease a 9x13 non-stick baking pan or a Glass pyrex dish.**
    In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: 2 cups flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp salt.
  • In a second medium bowl, whisk together wet ingredients: 3 large eggs, 1 cup oil and 1 can pumpkin, until well combined.
  • Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and whisk until smooth. Transfer to prepared baking dish and bake at 350˚F for 35-40 min (my oven took 35 min), or until a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean. Let cake cool completely in pan then spread the top with frosting (see below) and decorate with whole or chopped pecans. I sprinkled pecans over individual slices since my son doesn't eat them.

How to Make Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • Combine all of your frosting ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer and using the whisk attachment, beat on medium speed until combined, then beat on high speed 2-3 min or until fluffy, scraping down the bowl as needed.

Notes

*To measure flour, spoon it into a measuring cup and scrape off the top.
**If you're serving it out of a metal pan, line it with parchment paper so you don't scratch up your pan.

Nutrition Per Serving

423kcal Calories55g Carbs5g Protein21g Fat10g Saturated Fat1g Polyunsaturated Fat8g Monounsaturated Fat0.3g Trans Fat80mg Cholesterol268mg Sodium208mg Potassium2g Fiber37g Sugar6062IU Vitamin A2mg Vitamin C72mg Calcium2mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Easy Pumpkin Cake Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
423
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
21
g
32
%
Saturated Fat
 
10
g
63
%
Trans Fat
 
0.3
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
8
g
Cholesterol
 
80
mg
27
%
Sodium
 
268
mg
12
%
Potassium
 
208
mg
6
%
Carbohydrates
 
55
g
18
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
37
g
41
%
Protein
 
5
g
10
%
Vitamin A
 
6062
IU
121
%
Vitamin C
 
2
mg
2
%
Calcium
 
72
mg
7
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Pumpkin Cake
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 423
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Slice of pumpkin cake on a plate topped with whipped cream cheese frosting

Now the question is when are you going to be making this? At the very least, pin it for later. This one’s a keeper!

This Easy Pumpkin Cake is done in 4 steps (with frosting)! The moist, delicate crumb and marshmallow-like whipped cream cheese frosting is irresistible!
This Easy Pumpkin Cake is done in 4 steps (with frosting)! The moist, delicate crumb and marshmallow-like whipped cream cheese frosting is irresistible!
4.97 from 459 votes (233 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Maggie
    October 10, 2022

    Can this pumpkin cake and icing be made ahead and frozen? It looks delicious.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 10, 2022

      Hi Maggie! I have not tried freezing the frosting to advise.

      Reply

  • Daiva
    October 10, 2022

    I’d like to make this pumpkin cake ahead. Can you freeze it – icing and all?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 10, 2022

      Hi Dalva, I have not tried freezing the frosting to advise. I think the cake would freeze well (after it’s cooled completely) in an air-tight container, wrapped in saran wrap. Let us know if you experiment.

      Reply

  • Brenda
    October 10, 2022

    Great cake. I added some pumpkin pie spice (as per other suggestions) and added raisins and chopped pecans-it just seemed to go with pumpkin. I’ll definitely make again. Thanks

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 10, 2022

      That’s great, Brenda! So glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing your experiment with the recipe.

      Reply

  • Marie
    October 10, 2022

    I made this yesterday and it was amazing! Everyone in my family loved it. Your recipes are a big hit in my house!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 10, 2022

      Yay! So happy to hear that, Marie. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply

  • Anne Bartley
    October 9, 2022

    Needs more than cinnamon. I suggest pumpkin pie spice. Cinnamon makes the flavor profile flat. Even adding cardamom is a great flavor profile!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 9, 2022

      Thank you for your feedback and suggestion, Anne.

      Reply

      • Maggie
        October 10, 2022

        Could this pumpkin cake be frozen for two weeks before the party and then iced the day before?

        Reply

        • NatashasKitchen.com
          October 10, 2022

          Hi Maggie. I haven’t tried freezing the cake but I think it would freeze well in an air-tight container, wrapped in saran wrap (once it cools). Let us know how it does in the freezer if you try it.

          Reply

  • Debra
    October 9, 2022

    I tried making your cream cheese icing for this cake but it seemed like 1 cup of icing sugar wasn’t enough. Other recipes I checked called for 4 cups. Is this a typo?
    It was not very thick with just 1 cup. Please let me know. I really enjoy all your recipes!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      October 10, 2022

      Hi Debra! We found this amount of frosting to be just right for the size cake pan. You can double the recipe if you’d like more frosting. 🙂

      Reply

    • Stacey
      October 11, 2022

      Love your recipes, including this cake. Very simple to pull-together. I did find the icing to be very dense, not light and fluffy, not quite sweet enough. I wonder if the icing sugar measurement was accurate?

      Reply

      • NatashasKitchen.com
        October 11, 2022

        Hi Stacey! That is correct. Make sure to beat it long enough, this will help it become light and fluffy. You can add a little more sugar if you’d like but I haven’t tested it to know how it would affect the texture.

        Reply

  • Dominic
    October 2, 2022

    My mum and I baked this cake and it was delicious! This is a perfect recipe for Autumn!

    Reply

  • Chris
    September 30, 2022

    I have made this cake before and LOVED it. I want to make it again for an event, but cupcakes would be easier for this specific event – is that possible?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      October 1, 2022

      Hi Chris, yes, it will. One of our readers let us know this worked great for cupcakes. She did cut the bake time to 20 minutes.

      Reply

  • Margaret
    September 26, 2022

    Hi Natasha! I love the density of this Easy Pumpkin Cake. I have been searching forever for a similar Carrot Cake recipe. They are usually the fluffy type. Do you think I could switch out the Pumpkin for grated carrots in this recipe?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 27, 2022

      Hello Margaret, thank you for your good comments and feedback. I have not tested this recipe using grated carrots to advise but if you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes.

      Reply

  • Galina Popovich
    September 24, 2022

    Just made this today and it was so moist and delicious! My whole family loved it.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      September 24, 2022

      Hi Galina! That’s great. I’m so glad they loved it.

      Reply

  • Andrea
    September 19, 2022

    Delicious! I made it today. Only change was extra cinnamon and a dash of Chinese 5 Spice. Does it need to be refrigerated?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      September 19, 2022

      Hi Andrea, I’m glad you enjoy this recipe! Yes, the cake should be refrigerated.

      Reply

      • Andrea
        September 19, 2022

        Thanks. I really enjoy your recipes. I follow you on Facebook.

        Reply

        • NatashasKitchen.com
          September 19, 2022

          You’re welcome, Andrea. I’m glad you enjoy them. Thanks for following! 🙂

          Reply

          • Andrea
            September 25, 2022

            Hi Natasha. I made your pumpkin cake and it was delicious but dense, not fluffy. Is that the way it should or did I do something wrong?

          • NatashasKitchen.com
            September 26, 2022

            Hi Andrea! A dense cake is usually due to using too much flour. See my tutorial on how to measure ingredients HERE. Also, be sure to not over-mix the batter. I hope that helps.

  • Mary Rottert
    August 29, 2022

    I made quite a few of your recipes and loved most of them. All were delicious. Some I won’t make again because I don’t keep all the necessary ingredients. I appreciate your work in sharing great recipes.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 29, 2022

      Hi Mary! You’re very welcome. 🙂

      Reply

  • Mary Hamilton
    June 4, 2022

    I made this today! Very light and flavorful. This cake came out light and a “airy.” Thought cream cheese frosting would be too heavy. Going to make a cinnamon icing “glaze.”

    Reply

    • Mary Hamilton
      June 4, 2022

      Oh! I forgot to say that this is nicely moist! Baked for 35 minutes.

      Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      June 4, 2022

      Sounds delicious! So glad you enjoyed this recipe.

      Reply

  • Susan Andrews
    May 1, 2022

    Hi Natasha. Would the frosting still be good if I freeze? Thanks

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 1, 2022

      Hi Susan, I have not tried freezing the frosting to advise.

      Reply

  • Aries Sylvester
    March 18, 2022

    Awesome!!! I made mini cakes with this recipe and added pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Then to top it all off I made a homemade glaze for it. thankyou!!!!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 19, 2022

      Isn’t it so good?! I’m so happy you loved it, Aries!

      Reply

  • Cara
    January 26, 2022

    I have been meaning to try this.
    I had to make my own pumpkin puree being in Australia we don’t have tin pumpkin in the shops
    I also added extra spices, cloves and ginger, I used coconut oil and only used 1 cup of organic sugar and made my own frosting and it’s amazing 😋

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 26, 2022

      Yum! Fresh ingredients are the ebst! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Cindy Kaehler
    November 26, 2021

    I made this per recipe and added after reading comments: 1 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp crushed cloves and all I can say is OMG!! I had to give away the leftovers or I would have eaten it all. AMAZING!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 27, 2021

      That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Cindy!

      Reply

  • Eudocia
    November 26, 2021

    Thank you for the recipe! I brought it to a day after Thanksgiving leftover party and people loved it! One guy did say it wasn’t “pumpkiny” enough–but that may have been due to old cinnamon!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 27, 2021

      I’m glad you all enjoyed it, Eudocia!

      Reply

    • Shirley
      January 20, 2022

      Made this for my daughter-in-law’s birthday and she said it was the best cake she has ever had. Also, made for my husband’s birthday and it was a hit again!

      Reply

      • Natasha's Kitchen
        January 20, 2022

        Love it! Thanks a lot for sharing that with us, Shirley.

        Reply

  • Jacquelyn
    November 25, 2021

    The frosting is AMAZING!!! So fluffy and light and the perfect amount of sweetness! I could just eat the frosting alone that’s how delicious it is!! Have not tried the cake as we’re eating this today for Thanksgiving dessert! Thank you for a wonderful recipe!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 25, 2021

      You’re welcome! I’m so happy you loved it, Jacquelyn! Happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply

  • Nata
    November 22, 2021

    Hi Natasha, we love this cake! I want to make it for Thanksgiving again. Do you think it would be ok to bake it 2 days in advance? If so, when should I frost it?

    Thank you!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 22, 2021

      Hi Nata, It does keep very well in the fridge. You can cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

      Reply

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