Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cake Mix
This post may contain affiliate links.
Get ready to fall in love with this Pumpkin Spice Cake with cake mix that is topped with the most irresistible cream cheese frosting. It’s loaded with real pumpkin flavor and perfectly spiced for those cozy autumn vibes. Whether you’re craving a sweet treat for a special occasion or just want to celebrate the season, this cake is one of my absolute favorite fall desserts—easy to make and sure to impress!
If you are crazy for pumpkin desserts make sure to try my Pumpkin Cupcakes, Pumpkin dump cake and Pumpkin Cake Bars for even more cozy fall flavor!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Using a cake mix makes this recipe super simple and fast to prepare, perfect for busy schedules.
- Full of Fall Flavor: The combination of real pumpkin and warm spices captures the essence of fall in every bite.
- Seasonal Favorite: It’s an ideal way to embrace pumpkin season and enjoy the flavors of autumn.
- Perfect Make-Ahead Dessert: This cake stays moist for days, making it a great option for prepping ahead of time.
This cake mix pumpkin spice cake is the ultimate fall dessert. Imagine biting into a perfectly spiced, super moist cake that’s bursting with real pumpkin flavor, topped with the creamiest, tangiest cream cheese frosting. It’s like a cozy autumn hug in dessert form! Plus, the best part? It’s ridiculously easy to make thanks to the cake mix shortcut, so you get all the deliciousness without spending hours in the kitchen.
Trust me, this pumpkin spice cake is a total crowd-pleaser. I’ve made it for family dinners, fall get-togethers, and even just because I was craving something sweet, and it never disappoints. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is practically foolproof, and you can even jazz it up with some chopped nuts or a drizzle of caramel if you’re feeling fancy. So go ahead, give it a whirl—you’ll be hooked after the first bite!
Ingredients You Need
One of my favorite things when you are making a pumpkin cake using a cake mix is the shorter ingredient list. You get a ton of flavor from the spice cake, which means you’ll have this cake ready for the oven in a snap.
- Spice Cake Mix: Double-check the package size—cake mixes have varied over the years. Ensure you have the correct ounces to get the best results.
- Flour: Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife to avoid packing too much in, which can make the cake dense.
- Baking Powder: Make sure your baking powder is fresh. Expired baking powder can affect the rise of your cake, making it less fluffy.
- Brown Sugar: Pack the brown sugar tightly into your measuring cup to ensure you get the right sweetness and moisture for the cake.
- Oil: Use a neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil for a moist cake without altering the flavor. If you want a richer taste, you can substitute with melted butter.
- Eggs: Use room temperature eggs to help the batter mix more evenly, which contributes to a lighter, fluffier cake.
- Pumpkin: Use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which has added sugars and spices that could throw off the balance of flavors in your cake.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: For the best texture, make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing. This will prevent lumps and create a smooth, creamy frosting.
Variations and Substitutions
Cake Mix Flavor: If you can’t find spice cake mix, you can use yellow or white cake mix and add 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice to get that warm, spiced flavor.
Oil Substitute: For a richer flavor, swap out the oil for melted butter. You can also use applesauce in place of oil for a lighter, healthier version.
Add-Ins: Feel free to mix in 1 cup of chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans, or even some chocolate chips to add texture and extra flavor to your cake.
Pumpkin Puree: If you prefer a less intense pumpkin flavor, you can reduce the amount of pumpkin puree to 3/4 cup. Alternatively, try using sweet potato puree for a different twist.
Cream Cheese Frosting: Add a twist to the frosting by mixing in 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon for a warm, spiced flavor, or a tablespoon of maple syrup for a sweet, fall-inspired touch.
How to Make Cake Mix Pumpkin Spice Cake
- Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to preheat. While the oven heats up, take a 9×13-inch baking pan and either mist it with baking spray or grease it well with butter. This will help prevent your cake from sticking.
- Prepare the Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the spice cake mix, flour, baking powder, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and pumpkin puree. Use a whisk or a spoon to stir everything together until the batter is smooth and well mixed.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. To check if it’s done, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean (without any wet batter), your cake is ready. If not, give it a few more minutes and check again.
- Cool the Cake: Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan. This might take about an hour. Cooling the cake fully is important before you add the frosting, as it prevents the frosting from melting.
- Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), combine the softened cream cheese and butter. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until they are fully combined and smooth.
- Add the Sweetness: Add the vanilla extract and one cup of powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture. Start mixing on low speed to avoid a sugar cloud, then gradually add the rest of the powdered sugar. Once all the sugar is in, pour in the heavy cream and increase the mixer speed to medium-high. Beat for another 2 minutes until the frosting is fluffy and smooth.
- Frost the Cake: Once your cake is completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top of the cake using a spatula or the back of a spoon.
- Enjoy Your Cake: Slice, serve, and enjoy your delicious pumpkin spice cake recipe!
Storage and Make Ahead Instructions
Make-Ahead:
You can bake the cake a day in advance and store it, unfrosted, at room temperature. Once cooled, cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it fresh. When you’re ready to serve, prepare the cream cheese frosting and spread it over the cake.
Storage:
After frosting, cover the cake with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container and refrigerate. The cake will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days in the fridge. For the best flavor, let the cake sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
Expert Tips:
Pumpkin Puree vs. Pumpkin Pie Filling: Always use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Puree is simply cooked and mashed pumpkin with no added spices or sugars, allowing you to control the flavor. Pumpkin pie filling, on the other hand, contains added spices and sweeteners that could throw off the balance of your cake.
Make Into Cupcakes: Want to make this recipe into cupcakes? Simply line a muffin tin with cupcake liners and fill each one about two-thirds full with the batter. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This recipe should make about 24 cupcakes.
How to Test If the Cake is Done: The best way to test if your cake is done is to insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, your cake is ready. If there’s wet batter on the toothpick, give it a few more minutes in the oven and test again.
Add More Flavor with Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice: For an extra burst of fall flavor, you can add a little extra pumpkin pie spice to your batter. If you don’t have any on hand, consider making your own! Here’s a link to a simple homemade pumpkin pie spice recipe that you can whip up in no time.
Mix-Ins for Extra Texture and Flavor: To add some extra texture and flavor to your cake, consider mixing in 1/2 to 1 cup of chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, or dried fruit, such as cranberries or raisins. Simply fold them into the batter before pouring it into the pan. These add-ins can elevate the cake and give it a delightful twist.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can. While spice cake mix adds a warm, autumnal flavor, you can also use yellow, white, or even carrot cake mix as a base. Just keep in mind that the flavor will change slightly, but it can be a fun way to experiment with different tastes.
Absolutely! Fresh pumpkin puree can be used in place of canned. Just make sure your fresh puree is well-drained and smooth. Fresh pumpkin may have a bit more moisture, so you may need to adjust the baking time slightly.
To enhance the flavor, you can add extra cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or even a pinch of cloves. For a unique twist, consider adding a bit of cardamom or allspice. If you love a more intense flavor, increase the amount of pumpkin pie spice in the recipe.
Mix-ins like chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts), dried cranberries, or even chocolate chips would make great additions to this cake. You could also swirl in some caramel or add a handful of shredded coconut for extra texture.
Cream cheese frosting is a classic choice that pairs beautifully with the warm spices and pumpkin flavor. If you want to try something different, a simple vanilla buttercream or a cinnamon glaze would also complement this cake well.
Still Hungry? Follow One Sweet Appetite on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!
Cake Mix Pumpkin Spice Cake
Ingredients
- 1 (13.25oz) spice cake mix
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 (8oz) cream cheese (softened )
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) to preheat. While the oven heats up, take a 9×13-inch baking pan and either mist it with baking spray or grease it well with butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the spice cake mix, flour, baking powder, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and pumpkin puree. Use a whisk or a spoon to stir everything together until the batter is smooth and well mixed.
- Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick pressed into the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Once the cake is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), combine the softened cream cheese and butter. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until they are fully combined and smooth.
- Add the vanilla extract and one cup of powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture. Start mixing on low speed to avoid a sugar cloud, then gradually add the rest of the powdered sugar.
- Once all the sugar is in, pour in the heavy cream and increase the mixer speed to medium-high. Beat for another 2 minutes until the frosting is fluffy and smooth.
- Once your cake is completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top of the cake using a spatula or the back of a spoon. Slice, serve, and enjoy your delicious pumpkin spice cake recipe!
Video
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
