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Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake

This cream cheese frosted Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake is a made-from-scratch cake filled with the flavors of the autumn season. It features that warm flavor combination we all love during this time of year, and it’s generously topped with a thick cream cheese frosting. This cake is certain to be the showstopper of your fall holiday desserts.

Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Easy Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe

When the smell of Fall is in the air, pumpkins immediately come to mind, don’t they? It’s at this time of year that my creative side starts whirling with ideas.I first shared this pumpkin spice cream cheese pound cake recipe in October 2011, soon after I started my online cooking adventures. For years, I’ve made all types and flavors of pound cakes. Cakes in a myriad of flavors. It’s a beloved Southern dessert and pound cake is one of the first cakes I can ever remember making.

flour sugar eggs with pumpkin in a mixing bowl

How to Make the Best Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe

How did I come up with this cake recipe? I was curious to see if I could turn my vanilla cream cheese pound cake into a spicy pumpkin version for Fall. It worked beautifully with a few simple adjustments.The pumpkin version of my cream cheese pound cake is very moist and the texture is softer, and not quite as dense as a regular pound cake. The pumpkin puree adds a rich creaminess to the batter that takes it to another level.

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake: All purpose flour, granulated sugar light brown sugar, baking powder, salt, one box pumpkin spice instant pudding mix, pumpkin puree, large eggs, vanilla extract, butter and  cream cheese. You’ll also need chopped toasted pecans.
  • For the cream cheese frosting you’ll need: Softened plain cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream and vanilla extract.
  • Kitchen gadgets you’ll need: A hand mixer or stand mixer, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons and an angel food pan for baking. A large silicone spatula for scraping the batter into the pan and for scrape the sides of the mixing bowl while making the batter. You’ll also need a baking pan or toasting the pecans.
  • This recipe will make a larger cake, so I recommend that you use an angel food pan, and not a bundt pan to prevent it from spilling over while baking. You can use a pan with or without a removable bottom, of course. A cake pan with a removable bottom is my preference, as it makes removing the cake from the pan much easier.
  • If you’re unable to find pumpkin spice instant pudding, don’t panic. You can adapt this recipe adding 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice and one 3.4 ounce box of instant vanilla pudding to the dry ingredients, instead.
  • Bring the butter, cream cheese and eggs to room temperature before making the cake batter for the best results.
  • Use 100% pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling for this recipe.
  • The frosting for this cake is meant to be thick and decadent. You can make it thinner if you like, by adding more cream until it reaches your preferred consistency.
  • In the event you’d like to make this cake in advance, it freezes very well. Should you choose to do so, bake, cool and freeze without the frosting. Frost after thawing for the best result.
  • Store Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake chilled in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months. When freezing, wait and glaze just before serving.
cake on a stand

More Southern Style Pumpkin Spice Desserts to Make

Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe

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Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 45 minutes
Cooling time4 hours
Total Time6 hours 10 minutes
Course: Cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: pound-cake-recipes, pumpkin-spice-cream-cheese-pound-cake
Servings: 16 pieces
Calories: 703kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 4 cup all purpose flour sifted
  • 1 3.4 oz box pumpkin spice instant pudding See Cook's note
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cup butter (salted or unsalted) softened
  • 1 8 oz block cream cheese softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup 100% canned pumpkin puree
  • 6 large eggs
  • Frosting:
  • 1 8 oz block cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • heavy cream or half and half for thinning
  • 1 cup toasted and chopped pecan or walnuts for garnishing optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F. Generously butter and flour an angel food pan or spray with baking spray. (May use a pan with or without a removable bottom.)
  • In a medium size mixing bowl, sift together the flour, pumpkin spice pudding, baking powder and salt with a whisk. Set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer, cream together butter and cream cheese on high speed for 2 minutes. Lower the speed to medium-high and add granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Beat for 2 minutes or until light and creamy.
  • Add the pumpkin whipping just until incorporated.
  • Add eggs one at a time mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stop and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • Lower the speed of the mixer and gradually add dry ingredients. After all ingredients have been added, beat on medium speed for about 1 minute or just until fully combined. Be careful not to over mix.
  • Pour the cake batter evenly into the prepared pan. If needed, bounce the cake pan on the counter to settle and release air bubbles.
  • Bake for 1 1/2- 1 3/4 hours OR until a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center comes back clean. Check at 1 hour and lay a piece of foil on top to prevent over browning, if needed.
  • Cool for 20 minutes in the pan before carefully removing to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  • May be served dusted with powdered sugar or a drizzle of caramel and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. See below for instructions to make cream cheese frosting.
  • To make the frosting: Using an electric mixer whip together cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fully combined, about 2 minutes. Lower the speed of the mixer and gradually add powered sugar. May add cream 1 Tbsp at a time to thin for drizzling. Repeat until your desired thickness is reached.
  • Frost cool cake and garnish with nuts. Store chilled.

Notes

  • If you’re unable to find pumpkin spice instant pudding, add 3 tsp pumpkin pie spice and one 3.4 oz box of instant vanilla pudding to the dry ingredients, instead.
  • To toast nuts for garnishing: Spread in a single layer on a sheet pan. Roast for 6-8 minutes in a preheated 350°F oven or until fragrant. Set aside to cool.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 703kcal | Carbohydrates: 94g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 146mg | Sodium: 441mg | Potassium: 184mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 66g | Vitamin A: 3197IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

7 Comments

  1. So sorry about previous message. Auto correct is a pain sometimes! I will definitely try this and get back with you. Can I use a bundt pan to bake this pound cake in?

    1. This is a big cake. If you make it in a Bundt pan you’ll have extra batter. You can make the extra in a small loaf pan or muffin pan. All of the batter won’t fit in a Bundt pan.

  2. Can you use fresh pumpkin? We planted pumpkins in our garden this year and I want to be able to use them in recipes.

    1. 5 stars
      Hi I made this cake on 11-3-23 I used two sticks of butter and. One stick of margarine and three tablespoons of applesauce, so the cake would be good and moist because it was a thick batter.after baking the cake I made the frosting which I love because it’s not sweet. I do recommend this cake very moist and good. It makes a big cake.

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