Here is how to make an easy pumpkin spice cake recipe that is perfect for fall.

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Looking for the best spiced cake mix with canned pumpkin recipe? This post is all about how to make the best pumpkin spice cake.

If you’re looking for the best Thanksgiving desserts that don’t take a lot of time or effort to make, then this pumpkin spice cake recipe with box mix is a good place to start.

Pumpkin spice season is the best, and nothing says “celebrating the holidays with family and friends” like a delicious pumpkin spice cake. Here’s a super easy and incredibly yummy recipe using a spice cake mix and canned pure pumpkin that will fill your home with all those warm, cozy fall vibes.

With all the best fall ingredients like pumpkin purée, ground cinnamon, and other warm spices, this spice cake mix with canned pumpkin recipe will make you want to drop what you’re doing and bake a fall dessert right now, to go with that delicious pumpkin latte that you’re cuddling.

Pumpkin spice cake is perfect for any fall gathering, from Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving to a laid back weekend spent with family. It’s easy to make, super moist, and packed with all the flavors we love during this season.

What is Pumpkin Spice Cake?

Pumpkin spice cake made with a spice cake mix and canned pumpkin is basically the ultimate fall dessert hack. It’s super easy to make, and it has a lot of great flavor that’s perfect for the autumn season.

Start with a boxed spice cake mix, which already has all those warm, cozy spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice mixed in. Then, add in pure pumpkin, a few simple ingredients like eggs, oil, butter, and Greek yogurt.

You can also add fun and delicious mix ins like nuts, raisins, or chocolate chips to create a cake that’s incredibly moist, flavorful, and perfect for celebrating the season.

Using a cake mix is great because it’s super convenient and pretty much foolproof. It’s also easy to customize—you can add whatever extras you love, like chocolate chips or butterscotch chips, and know the cake will still turn out amazing.

So, if you’re looking for a delicious, stress free dessert to enjoy during pumpkin spice season, this cake is definitely one to try!

Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Spice Cake Recipe

Here are some reasons to absolutely love this pumpkin spice cake recipe.

• It’s quick and easy to make. This pumpkin spice cake is made with a spice cake mix, so you can whip it up in no time without tons of measuring or complicated steps.
• It’s moist and flavorful. The combination of pure pumpkin, Greek yogurt, butter, and oil makes the cake super moist and packed with all the best fall flavors.
• Pumpkin spice cake is customizable. Add in your favorite extras like chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, nuts, or raisins to make it your own!
• The cake is perfect for fall. Pumpkin spice cake tastes just like everything we love about pumpkin spice season—it’s cozy, warm, and comforting.
• Pumpkin spice cake is great for sharing. This easy pumpkin spice cake makes enough for a crowd, so it’s perfect for holidays, parties, or any time you want to celebrate with family and friends.

Pumpkin Spice Cake Ingredients

Here are the ingredients needed to make an easy pumpkin spice cake recipe.

• Spice Cake Mix (1 box, 15.25 oz). Boxed spice cake mix forms the easy base that gives us a head start, packed with flavorful autumn spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
• Pure Pumpkin (1 can, 15 oz). Pure pumpkin adds tons of moisture, flavor, and that beautiful, orangey autumn color to the cake. Make sure to use pure pumpkin—not pumpkin pie filling, since you’ll be adding your own spices.
• Eggs (3 large). Eggs act as the binder that brings everything together, making the cake light and fluffy.
• Vegetable Oil (¼ cup). Vegetable oil keeps the cake moist with a soft texture, while balancing out the richness of the butter.
• Melted Butter (¼ cup). Melted butter adds a rich, buttery flavor that makes every bite even more delicious.
• Plain Greek Yogurt (½ cup). Greek yogurt is the secret ingredient for extra moisture and a slight tang that balances out the sweetness.
• Water (½ cup). Water helps to create the perfect batter consistency with all those rich ingredients.
• Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon). Vanilla extract adds depth of flavor and enhances all the cozy fall spices in the cake, and it adds to the richness of the frosting.
• Spices (various). Ingredients like ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger are the pumpkin spice squad that gives your cake that irresistible fall flavor.
• Chopped Walnuts or Pecans (½ cup, optional). Add chopped nuts for a little crunch and nutty flavor that makes the cake feel extra special and homemade.
• Chocolate Chips (½ cup, optional). Add a handful of chocolate chips for those who love a bit of chocolate with their pumpkin spice! They add a rich, sweet contrast to the spices and make each bite even more indulgent. Both dark chocolate chips and white chocolate baking chips are excellent in this recipe.
• Butterscotch Baking Chips (½ cup, optional). Butterscotch baking chips bring in a buttery, caramel like flavor that complements the pumpkin and spices perfectly. The baking chips are great choice for adding a little extra sweetness and fun!
• Raisins (½ cup, optional). Raisins add a burst of natural sweetness and chewiness that pairs beautifully with the pumpkin and spices.
• Cream Cheese (8 oz, softened). Cream cheese creates a rich, tangy base for the frosting that pairs perfectly with the sweet cake.
• Unsalted Butter (½ cup—one stick, softened). Butter makes the cake frosting super smooth and creamy, while adding a bit of richness.
• Powdered Sugar (3 to 4 cups). Powdered sugar sweetens the cake frosting and gives it a light, fluffy texture. Adjust the amount to taste!
• Cinnamon (A pinch, optional): A tiny pinch of ground cinnamon in the frosting ties all the flavors together and adds a just a hint of fall spice.

With these options, your pumpkin spice cake will be filled with all the best fall flavors! Feel free to mix and match the add ins—up to 1 cup—to create your perfect cake.

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Cake

If you’re obsessed with pumpkin spice season, then you have to try this incredible pumpkin spice cake that’s perfect for all your fall celebrations. It’s easy, it’s full of cozy flavors, and it will totally wow your family and friends. Let’s get baking!

First, preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9×13 inch baking pan by greasing the insides of the pan giving it a light dusting of flour—or by lining the inside of the pan with parchment paper, which makes clean up easier.

In a large mixing bowl, combine a box of spice cake mix with a can of pure pumpkin, three large eggs, 1/4 cup of vegetable oil, 1/4 cup of melted butter, 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt, and 1/2 cup of water.

Add a splash of vanilla extract and some spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves—to really amp up the fall flavor. Stir until everything is smooth and blended.

Now, if you’d like to make the cake special and add even more flavor, go ahead and fold in some chopped walnuts or chopped pecans and raisins for a nice bit of texture and sweetness. Dried cranberries, chocolate chips and butterscotch baking chips also make great add ins for pumpkin spice cake.

Once the batter is ready, pour it into your prepared pan and pop it in the oven. Bake the cake for about 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

After baking, let the cake cool completely in the pan—this part is tough because it smells so good, but it’s worth it.

While the cake is cooling, whip up a tasty cream cheese frosting by mixing together softened cream cheese and butter. Slowly add powdered sugar until it reaches your desired level of sweetness, then mix in vanilla extract and a pinch of ground cinnamon for that extra hint of fall.

Once the cake is cool, spread that luscious cream cheese cake frosting over the top, slice it into squares, and serve! You can also top the cake with a dusting of powered sugar, rather making a frosting. Both options taste good.

And that’s it! This pumpkin spice cake is the perfect dessert to share with loved ones, whether it’s for a cozy weekend get-together or a special holiday occasion. It’s so moist and flavorful, you’ll want to make it again and again all season long.

Tips for Making the Best Pumpkin Spice Cake

Here some tips for making the best pumpkin spice cake using a spice cake mix. With these tips, you should have the most delicious, crowd pleasing pumpkin spice cake that’s full of incredible fall flavors.

• Add spices. The spice cake mix already has some flavor, but adding extra cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves really amps up the cozy fall vibes. It’s like giving the cake a warm, snuggly sweater to wear!
• Use a combination of oil and butter. Instead of using all oil, the recipe uses a blend of oil and melted butter. This little change gives the cake a richer, deeper flavor and makes it super moist. Butter makes everything better, right?
• Use Greek yogurt for extra moisture. Adding plain Greek yogurt not only makes the cake extra moist and fluffy, it also adds a bit of tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the pumpkin and spices.
• Don’t forget the add ins. If you want to take this cake to the next level, try adding some chopped walnuts or pecans and a handful of raisins. The nuts give it a delicious crunch, while the raisins add a bit of natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with the pumpkin. Feel free to get creative—dried cranberries, butterscotch baking chips, or chocolate chips could be amazing, too.
• The frosting is everything. Cream cheese frosting is basically a requirement for pumpkin spice cake—it’s the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. For a little extra magic, add a pinch of cinnamon to the frosting. It’s a game changer!
• Let the cake cool. It’s tempting to dive in right away, but resist the urge! Let your cake cool completely before frosting. This helps the frosting spread easily and keeps it from melting into the cake. Patience, friends—it will be worth it!
• Make it ahead of time. Pumpkin spice cake actually tastes better the next day when the flavors have had a chance to mingle and develop. So, if you’re prepping for a party or holiday dinner, make the cake the night before and store it in the fridge overnight. Just whip up the cake frosting and apply it to the cake fresh on the day you’re serving!

What Goes Well with Pumpkin Spice Cake?

The best way to serve pumpkin spice cake is to slice it into generous squares and top each one with a thick layer of creamy, homemade cream cheese frosting or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

For an extra touch, sprinkle a little ground cinnamon on top, and add a few chopped nuts or a drizzle of caramel sauce if you’re feeling fancy.

Serve the pumpkin spice cake slightly chilled or at room temperature, alongside a cozy drink like a pumpkin spice latte, hot apple cider, or chai tea.

Whether you’re enjoying it at a holiday gathering, a Friendsgiving dinner, or just curled up on the couch, easy pumpkin spice cake is perfect for almost any fall celebration.

How to Store Leftover Pumpkin Spice Cake

To keep your pumpkin spice cake fresh and delicious, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, especially if the cake has been topped with cream cheese frosting.

This helps maintain its moisture and keeps the frosting from getting too soft. If you’re making it ahead of time, you can bake the cake and store it covered at room temperature for a day, then frost it right before serving.

For longer storage, you can also freeze the unfrosted cake—just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, place it in a freezer bag, and it will keep for up to two months.

When you’re ready to enjoy the cake, thaw it overnight in the fridge and add your frosting or other toppings to the cake.

Pumpkin Spice Cake Recipe

Here is how to make a moist and delicious pumpkin spice cake that’s perfect for all your fall cravings. Packed with pumpkin, cozy spices, and topped with cream cheese frosting, it’s the ultimate treat to enjoy on a crisp autumn day.

Looking for more of the best pumpkin recipes?

• The Best Pumpkin Muffins Recipe You’ll Eat This Fall
• The Best Homemade Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer
• How to Make the Best Pumpkin Fluff Dip

This post was all about how to make easy pumpkin spice cake.

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