It’s Pumpkin Bread Season—and This Excellent Pumpkin Loaf Cake Is the Solely Recipe You Must Bookmark

Out of each season, fall is the one which brings out what some would possibly take into account my most simple facet. (So cynical, individuals!) Give me all of the vanilla-scented candles, plush throws to curve up in, handmade artisanal mugs, and naturally, pumpkin spice every thing. If absolutely leaning into my Rory Gilmore facet is improper, then I don’t wish to be proper.
Inevitably, it’s round this time of yr that I begin often googling “greatest pumpkin bread recipe” and taking place the rabbit gap of critiques to search out my go-to loaf for the season. Final yr, we even examined the 5 greatest pumpkin bread recipes on the Web to search out the fan favourite. However I nonetheless felt that I hadn’t reached perfection.
So, after a great deal of testing and tweaking to make it my very own, I landed on as we speak’s pumpkin cake recipe… with cream cheese frosting! It encapsulates every thing I’m in search of in a loaf of pumpkin goodness. Learn on for a number of tips about making this pumpkin cake recipe, and drop a remark letting us know for those who give it a attempt.
Tips on how to Make This Pumpkin Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
First issues first: this can be a one-bowl cake that comes collectively in beneath half-hour. Which makes it an ideal weekend baking venture to do with youngsters or while you simply wish to get in your baking move with out having to suppose too laborious. These are the components you’ll want for the cake itself:
- all-purpose flour (you may also sub half whole-wheat)
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
- cinnamon
- floor ginger
- melted unsalted butter (I discover it a lot extra scrumptious than most recipes that decision for vegetable oil)
- eggs
- brown sugar
- sugar
- canned pumpkin
- vanilla extract
The strategy follows a typical course of of blending the moist components, then stirring within the dry components earlier than pouring the batter into the pan to bake it within the oven. Easy!


All About This Cream Cheese Frosting
This cream cheese frosting is about pretty much as good because it will get. It’s truly addictive. Guarantee that your cream cheese is full-fat and at room temperature. Then, you’ll mix it in a mixer with powdered sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. The key ingredient right here is the heavy cream, which whips up and lightens the complete frosting to make it fluffier and fewer dense.

Ideas for Success
- Room temperature components. This can make sure that every thing combines easily and reaches the consistency we would like.
- Use high-quality, canned 100% pure pumpkin. Natural, if you could find it. Don’t use a can of “pumpkin pie filling” right here.
- Prep your loaf pan. Frivolously spray the within of your loaf pan to make sure the cake might be eliminated simply. You’ll wish to let it cool for not less than half-hour earlier than slicing into the cake.

Ideas for Getting the Excellent Texture
Baking time is necessary right here—overcooking will end in a dry texture. Nevertheless, in case your pumpkin cake comes out too moist or moist, it possible signifies that it’s undercooked. (A standard drawback with loaf desserts.) Right here’s the way to check it: After the cake has been within the oven for an hour, insert a toothpick within the heart of the cake. If it comes out with moist batter, bake for one more 10 minutes. If the toothpick comes out clear or with a number of dry crumbs, you may pull it out and let cool on a wire rack. It’s prepared!

Ingredient Swaps and Different Concepts
- Swap out your spices. Most pumpkin bread recipes name for pumpkin pie spice, however since I’m not an enormous fan of nutmeg or floor cloves, I made a decision to make use of simply cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla to taste this one. Nevertheless, you may completely swap the cinnamon and ginger for a tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice, as an alternative.
- Make these into pumpkin cupcakes or pumpkin muffins! Simply fill a muffin tin with the batter about two-thirds full (I like to make use of muffin tin liners to make it straightforward), then bake for about 20 minutes or till a toothpick inserted within the heart comes out clear.
- Pump up the protein. So as to add extra protein to this pumpkin bread/cake, you may add two scoops of vanilla protein powder with the dry components, and scale back the flour by two tablespoons.
- Add extra complete grains. Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with white whole-wheat flour.
- Change up the feel. Be happy so as to add a scoop of toasted walnuts or pecans to the batter for those who like a crunch!
Extra Pumpkin Dessert Recipes You’ll Love This Fall
No-Bake Pumpkin Mascarpone Pie
It’s a pumpkin pie and pumpkin cheesecake in a single—plus the truth that it’s no-bake means it’s not taking over any worthwhile oven house on Thanksgiving.
No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Bars
This one takes the no-bake theme and interprets it to probably the most scrumptious bars which are excellent for taking to a vacation potluck.
Chewy Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Cinnamon Glaze
These cookies are completely spiced with cinnamon and drizzled with icing for a comfy fall deal with that pairs completely with a cup of espresso.
Description
This pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting is the final word cozy baking recipe you want this fall. Moist and spicy, it’s excellent for curling up with a cup of espresso.
- 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) melted butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 15-ounce can of pumpkin
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon floor ginger
for the cream cheese frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
non-obligatory garnish: toasted pecans, walnuts, star anise
- Preheat oven to 325 F with the oven rack within the center. Spray an 8×4-inch loaf pan with nonstick or olive oil spray (or grease with a bit of softened butter).
- Within the bowl of a standing mixer, beat collectively melted butter and each sugars on medium-high for 3 minutes. Add eggs, beating in one by one, then add pumpkin and vanilla. Combine to mix.
- Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ginger, and use a fork to mix the dry components flippantly collectively. Flip mixer on lowest “stir” setting and beat simply till you not see any of the flour.
- Scrape down with a spatula, stir collectively a number of instances, then switch the batter to your ready pan.
- Place the cake within the oven and bake for 60 minutes. Check for readiness by inserting a toothpick within the heart of the cake. If it comes out clear or with a number of dry crumbs, it’s prepared. If moist batter remains to be seen on the toothpick, bake for 10 extra minutes.
- When the cake is prepared, take away from oven and let cool for 10 minutes earlier than inserting onto a wire rack. Let the cake cool fully earlier than frosting.
- In the meantime, make the frosting. Within the bowl of a stand mixer, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, maple, and vanilla till easy. With the mixer working, stream within the whipping cream and beat on excessive for a few minute till gentle and fluffy.
- Unfold the frosting in a reasonably thick layer on high of the cake. Sprinkle with toasted pecans or walnuts if desired. Slice and eat!
Notes
- Retailer the cake in a coated container within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
- Or, freeze for as much as a month with out the frosting in a gallon-sized freezer bag or wrapped properly in foil. When able to eat, thaw in fridge then frost.
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook dinner Time: 60
- Class: dessert
Key phrases: greatest pumpkin bread, pumpkin cake, cream cheese frosting, fall desserts