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Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

5.3 from 16 reviews

This Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a decadent autumn dessert combining a moist yellow cake base infused with pumpkin puree, a rich and gooey pumpkin spice cream cheese filling, and a luscious brown sugar cream cheese frosting. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, this cake offers a delightful contrast of textures and flavors, making it a festive treat for pumpkin lovers. The recipe allows for easy substitutions for vegan or gluten-free diets.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake Base:

  • 1 box yellow cake mix
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Pumpkin Spice Gooey Filling:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 4 cups powdered sugar

For the Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cake Base: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, 1 large egg, melted butter, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Press the cake base mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish, ensuring an even layer. Pro Tip: To ensure the base remains moist, avoid overmixing. You can use a spatula or your hands to press the dough into the dish.
  2. Make the Pumpkin Spice Gooey Filling: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, pumpkin puree, melted butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to the bowl. Mix until fully combined and the mixture is creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until the filling is smooth and without lumps. Pour this gooey pumpkin spice filling over the cake base and spread evenly. Pro Tip: For an extra touch of spice, feel free to add a dash more cinnamon or nutmeg to suit your taste preferences. Also, make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl when adding the powdered sugar to avoid clumps.
  3. Bake the Cake: Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. The edges should be set while the center remains slightly gooey—this is key to achieving the perfect texture. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan. Pro Tip: Avoid overbaking! The center should jiggle slightly when removed from the oven, ensuring a gooey interior. If you prefer a firmer cake, leave it in for an additional 5 minutes.
  4. Make the Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until smooth and creamy. Stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor. Pro Tip: If you prefer a less sweet frosting, you can reduce the amount of powdered sugar or add a pinch of sea salt to balance the sweetness.
  5. Frost the Cake: Once the cake is completely cool, spread the brown sugar cream cheese frosting generously over the top. Smooth it out evenly, making sure to cover the entire surface of the cake. Pro Tip: For an extra indulgent finish, sprinkle chopped pecans or a dusting of cinnamon over the frosting.

Notes

  • To make the cake vegan, substitute dairy-free butter and cream cheese and use a vegan-friendly cake mix.
  • For a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free yellow cake mix.
  • Do not overbake to maintain the gooey center texture.
  • Adding extra cinnamon or nutmeg can enhance the spicy flavor.
  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • This cake is best served at room temperature.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin spice cake, cream cheese frosting, gooey cake, autumn dessert, pumpkin puree cake, pumpkin spice dessert