Pumpkin Cake With Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting

This stunning, moist Pumpkin Cake With Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting recipe combines comforting fall pumpkin flavors with sweet and salty notes. The caramel sauce pairs perfectly with the indulgent sweetness of the cake and frosting making each bite irresistible!

For more popular pumpkin recipes try my easy pumpkin spice cake, pumpkin caramel poke cake, best ever pumpkin bread and classic pumpkin roll.

Pumpkin Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

A rich and creamy cream cheese frosting pairs perfectly with the pumpkin, creating a decadent and satisfying melt-in-your-mouth cake experience.

The delicious salted caramel topping elevates all the flavors by adding a sweet, buttery richness with a hint of salt that complements the pumpkin and cream cheese flavors.

This homemade pumpkin dessert cake is perfect for fall gatherings, Thanksgiving, or whenever that pumpkin craving strikes. It tastes as good as it looks!

Pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting and salted caramel sauce.

For more cake recipes try better than anything cake, easy rum cake with cake mix and my simple & moist coconut cake.

Pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting and caramel sauce that has a piece missing.

Ingredients

Overhead picture of the ingredients needed to make pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting.
Overhead picture of the ingredients needed to make pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting and caramel sauce.

Pumpkin Cake:

  • All Purpose Flour
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • Baking Soda
  • Salt
  • Eggs
  • Pumpkin Puree – 15 oz can
  • Sugar
  • Brown Sugar – light brown sugar
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Vanilla Extract

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • Cream Cheese – 8 oz package at room temperature
  • Butter – unsalted butter at room temperature
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Caramel Sauce – I suggest using Ghirardelli caramel sauce as its thicker consistency helps the frosting hold its shape
  • Salt
  • Walnuts – chopped adds a nice texture and flavor to the frosting (optional)
Overhead picture of pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting and a salted caramel sauce.

Substitutions & Variations: You can make a pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting by not using the salted caramel sauce in the frosting or on top if you prefer. Use chopped pecans instead of the walnuts.

How To Make Pumpkin Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting & Salted Caramel Sauce

Step-by-step picture instructions for making pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosing.

STEP ONE – Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two 9 in cake pans with parchment paper and grease the sides. Set aside.  

STEP TWO – In a small bowl combine the dry ingredients (flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, salt).

STEP THREE – In a large mixing bowl, with an electric or hand mixer combine the wet ingredients (eggs, pumpkin, both sugars, oil and vanilla) on medium speed for 1 minute.

STEP FOUR – In thirds, slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet until fully incorporated. Pausing to scrape the sides of the bowl. 

STEP FIVE – Divide the batter in half and fill the cake pans. Smooth out the top surface into an even layer. 

STEP SIX – Bake for 30 – 33 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Once baked, remove the cake from the pans and set on a cooling rack. Place in the freezer for about 15 – 20 minutes to cool completely before frosting.

STEP SEVEN – Meanwhile, make the frosting by adding the cream cheese and butter into a large mixing bowl. With an electric or hand mixer, beat on medium speed for 2 minutes to combine. Slowly  begin to add the powdered sugar in thirds and the caramel sauce. Continue to mix until a smooth and fluffy frosting has formed. 

STEP EIGHT – Pause to scrape the sides of the bowl and taste. Add salt and extra caramel if desired for a richer flavor. 

STEP NINE – Transfer a third of the frosting to a piping bag for decorating the top outer edges of the cake.

STEP TEN – To assemble the cake, cut uneven parts from the top of the cakes. Place the cut side down. With an offset spatula, add the middle frosting layer, top with the second layer of cake, frost the top and lightly frost the sides.

STEP ELEVEN – Using the piping bag, decorate the edge of the cake with small circles. 

STEP TWELVE – Add crushed walnuts in a circle along the decorated frosting and place caramel in the middle. Enjoy!

Side view pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting and walnut garnish.

Storage Instructions

Store by covering gently with plastic wrap or using an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.

Print
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Pumpkin cake with caramel sauce with a slice missing.

Pumpkin Cake With Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting


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  • Author: Sandra Flegg
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings

Description

This stunning, moist Pumpkin Cake With Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting recipe combines comforting fall pumpkin flavors with sweet and salty notes. The salty caramel sauce pairs perfectly with the indulgent sweetness of the cake and cream frosting making each bite irresistible!


Ingredients

Cake Ingredients:

2 cups all purpose flour

3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 eggs

1, 15 oz can pumpkin puree

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla

Frosting Ingredients:

8 oz cream cheese, room temp

2 sticks unsalted butter, room temp

4 cups powdered sugar

1/3 cup thick caramel sauce (Ghirardelli was used in this recipe)*

1/4 teaspoon salt (more to taste if desired)

2 cups of chopped walnuts (optional)


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two 9 in cake pans with parchment paper and grease the sides. Set aside.  

Notes

Storage instructions: Store by covering gently with plastic wrap or using an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cool Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven Baked
  • Cuisine: American

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