Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Imagine sinking your fork into a warm, gooey slice of Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting as the aromatic blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves fills your senses. This decadent dessert combines the nostalgic flavors of fall with an irresistibly soft, moist texture that melts in your mouth. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a special weekend treat, this Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake transforms ordinary moments into memorable occasions. You’ll learn how to create layers of flavor that complement the rich pumpkin base and top it all with a velvety cream cheese frosting that adds the perfect finishing touch.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting stands out as a truly exceptional dessert for several compelling reasons. The cake features an incredible textural contrast—a slightly crisp top gives way to an incredibly moist, pudding-like center that earns its “gooey” description. Unlike traditional pumpkin desserts that can sometimes be dense, this cake maintains a lightness that keeps you coming back for another bite.

The warm spice blend complements the natural sweetness of pumpkin perfectly, creating a balanced flavor profile that isn’t overpowering. The tanginess of the cream cheese frosting cuts through the sweetness of the cake, creating a harmonious taste experience.

What makes this recipe especially appealing is its forgiving nature—even novice bakers can achieve impressive results. The preparation involves simple steps rather than complicated techniques, and the ingredients are readily available in most kitchens during fall baking season. Plus, the heavenly aroma that fills your home while baking this pumpkin spice cake creates an ambiance that’s worth the effort alone.

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake:

• 1 box (15.25 oz/432g) yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 can (15 oz/425g) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup (57g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

The pumpkin puree provides a natural moistness and authentic flavor to this gooey pumpkin cake. Use high-quality vanilla extract for the best flavor profile, and ensure your pumpkin pie spice is fresh—the aromatic qualities diminish over time, affecting the overall taste experience.

Pro Tips

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For this Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, ensure all refrigerated ingredients come to room temperature before mixing. This crucial step allows for proper incorporation and emulsion of ingredients, resulting in a smoother batter and more even baking. Cold ingredients can cause the batter to curdle or separate, affecting the final texture of your cake.

Check for Doneness Carefully: The secret to the perfect gooey texture lies in proper baking time. Begin checking your cake about 5 minutes before the recipe suggests. Look for set edges with a slight jiggle in the center—this indicates the cake will have that coveted gooey middle once cooled. Using the toothpick test can be misleading for this particular dessert; a clean toothpick would indicate overbaking and would result in a dry rather than gooey cake.

Chill Before Frosting: Always allow your Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake to cool completely before applying the cream cheese frosting. For best results, after cooling to room temperature, chill the cake for at least 30 minutes. This firms up the gooey layer, making it much easier to frost without damaging the cake’s surface. The contrast between the cool frosting and the slightly warm cake (if reheated slightly before serving) creates an exceptional taste experience.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray, ensuring all corners are well-coated. This prevents the gooey texture of your Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake from sticking to the pan during baking.

Step 2: Create the Base Layer
In a medium bowl, combine the cake mix, melted butter, and 1 egg. Mix until fully incorporated—the mixture will be thick and somewhat dough-like. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish, creating a uniform base layer. Take your time with this step as an even base ensures consistent baking throughout.

Step 3: Prepare the Gooey Pumpkin Layer
In a large bowl, beat together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, milk, 2 eggs, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and well combined. The mixture should be thick but pourable, with a vibrant orange color. Pour this mixture evenly over the cake mix layer, gently spreading it to reach all edges.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center still has a slight jiggle when the pan is gently shaken. Remember, the key to a truly gooey pumpkin spice cake is to avoid overbaking—the cake will continue to set as it cools. The top should appear slightly crackled with a deep golden hue.

Step 5: Cool the Cake
Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This cooling period is essential for the gooey texture to develop properly. For best results, after cooling to room temperature, refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour before frosting.

Step 6: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon, continuing to beat until smooth and creamy. The frosting should hold soft peaks and spread easily.

Step 7: Frost and Serve
Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake. For an extra touch, sprinkle a little additional cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice on top. Slice into squares and serve at room temperature for the perfect gooey consistency.

Variations

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Gooey Cake: Transform your Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting by adding 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the pumpkin layer before baking. The melted chocolate creates pockets of rich flavor that complement the warm spices beautifully. For an even more decadent version, drizzle melted chocolate over the frosted cake just before serving.

Gluten-Free Option: This delicious dessert can easily accommodate dietary restrictions. Simply substitute the yellow cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix of your choice. The gooey texture actually benefits from some gluten-free mixes, which can create an even more tender crumb. Just be sure to check that your pumpkin pie spice and other ingredients are certified gluten-free as well.

Maple Pecan Variation: For an elevated autumn flavor profile, add 1/4 cup of pure maple syrup to the pumpkin layer and reduce the granulated sugar by the same amount. Fold in 1/2 cup of chopped pecans to the base layer for added crunch, and sprinkle additional toasted pecans on top of the frosting. This variation brings nutty warmth to the original pumpkin spice gooey cake recipe.

Storage and Serving

Store your Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cream cheese frosting necessitates refrigeration, but the cool temperature actually enhances the gooey texture of this dessert. Before serving, allow individual slices to come to room temperature for about 15 minutes to achieve the perfect consistency and to let the flavors fully develop.

For an extra-special presentation, serve each slice with a dollop of freshly whipped cream and a light dusting of pumpkin pie spice. This gooey pumpkin cake pairs wonderfully with a warm beverage such as chai tea, coffee, or hot apple cider, making it perfect for fall gatherings.

For longer storage, this cake freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Cut into individual servings, wrap each piece in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil, and place in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before bringing to room temperature and serving.

FAQs

Can I use homemade pumpkin puree instead of canned?
Yes! Just ensure your homemade puree is thick and well-drained—excess moisture can affect the texture of your Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake. Cook and puree the pumpkin, then strain through a cheesecloth for several hours to remove excess water.

Why is my cake not gooey in the center?
The most common reason is overbaking. The cake should still have a slight jiggle in the center when you remove it from the oven, as it will continue to set while cooling. If using a different pan size, adjust baking time accordingly—metal pans conduct heat faster than glass.

Can I make this cake ahead of time for a special occasion?
Absolutely! This Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake actually improves with a day of rest as the flavors meld together. Prepare it 1-2 days ahead, refrigerate, and bring to room temperature before serving.

Is there a way to make this recipe less sweet?
Yes, you can reduce the sugar in the pumpkin layer by up to 1/4 cup without affecting the texture. For the frosting, gradually add powdered sugar to taste, starting with 1 1/2 cups instead of 2.

Can I add other spices to enhance the flavor?
Definitely! While pumpkin pie spice provides a good base, adding 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom or ginger can create a more complex flavor profile for your pumpkin spice cake.

Conclusion

This Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is comfort food at its finest — a magical combination of warm autumn spices, tender cake, and that irresistibly gooey texture that makes each bite pure bliss. It’s the kind of dessert that transforms ordinary gatherings into special occasions, yet remains simple enough for everyday baking. Whether you’re looking to impress guests or simply want to fill your home with the quintessential scents of fall, this cake delivers on all fronts. Make it once, and it’s bound to become a seasonal tradition in your home.

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