With just 5 Ingredients, this easy Pumpkin Spice Cake Recipe with Box Mix is simple to make and SO delicious! It’s THE Fall dessert you’ll want on repeat all season long!
Be sure to try this Easy Pumpkin Spice Dump Cake Recipe, too!
Pumpkin Spice Cake Recipe
Pumpkin here, Pumpkin there, Pumpkin, Pumpkin everywhere!
Stacy writes: “I tried this recipe for my Thanksgiving dinner and it was a big hit with my guests. Very moist and flavorful. I will make it again.”
No Fall dinner is complete without a delicious Fall Dessert… and this easy Pumpkin Spice Cake Recipe will satisfy all of your cravings! It’s the perfect blend of sweet pumpkin and cozy Fall spices.
Are you ready for the best part? It’s just 5 ingredients!
That’s right! And it all starts with boxed spice cake mix and a can of pumpkin.
Then you’ll top it off with this easy 5-minute Cream Cheese Frosting for pure pumpkin spice perfection!
Plus, we’ll swap out the oil for applesauce to give it a perfectly moist and fluffy texture!
So are you ready to bake your simple and delicious dessert? Go grab some canned pumpkin, and let’s get started on this decadent pumpkin cake recipe!
Here’s what you’ll do…
Related: More delicious Pumpkin Recipes to try right now!
What Does Pumpkin Spice Cake Taste Like?
Imagine all of your favorite cozy flavors of Fall wrapped up into a luscious cake.
That, my friend, is exactly what Pumpkin Spice Cake tastes like! It’s pure Autumn bliss with every bite!
Pumpkin Spice Cake Ingredients
It takes just 5 simple ingredients to make the BEST Pumpkin Spice Cake!
- Spice Cake Mix
- Pumpkin Pie Spice (It’s so easy to make your own!)
- Pure Pumpkin
- Applesauce
- Eggs
Does Applesauce Make Cake Moist?
Yep… it sure does! Nobody wants a dry and crumbly cake, right?
Well, the secret to the perfect moisture in this cake is the applesauce! Thanks to its water content, the applesauce save you some calories and fat when swapped out for the oil.
It will also keep the moisture level up on your finished cake!
How Do You Make Pumpkin Cake?
It’s actually SO simple to make pumpkin spice cake with a box mix! Here’s what you’ll do…
- Mix all ingredients
- Pour into 9×13 cake pan
- Bake in the oven
- Cool completely
- Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Serve, Enjoy & DEVOUR!
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Cake in a Crockpot
If you’ve never made a cake in your slow cooker yet, you definitely need to!
Here’s what you’ll do…
- Spray inside of 6 quart crockpot with non-stick cooking spray.
- Pour mixture into crockpot and cover with lid.
- Cook on HIGH for 1 1/2 – 2 hours, or until done and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Once done, remove lid and allow cake to cool in the crockpot.
- After cake has cooled, carefully cut slices, serve and ENJOY!
Here’s what your frugal friends are saying after trying this Crockpot Pumpkin Cake…
Jenny writes: “The cake turned out great! I didn’t have any applesauce so I cut up a few apples and cooked them with a little apple cider. The cake is so moist and delicious!”
Rachel writes: “Super tasty”
Cassie writes: “Everyone loved it! Turned the pot upside down to get it out. Super tasty! Family loved it for Thanksgiving.”
Lynne writes: “Try using maple flavoring in the frosting. Yum!”
Scroll down for the printable recipe card with detailed, step-by-step instructions.
Should Pumpkin Cake Be Refrigerated?
It’s all about the frosting.
After your baked cake has cooled, you won’t need to refrigerate it until you frost it. Once you frost it with cream cheese frosting, then you’ll want to refrigerate any leftovers.
If the leftovers last long enough to make it to your fridge!
Pumpkin Cake Reviews
What Your Frugal Friends Are Saying About This Easy Pumpkin Cake Recipe…
Danielle writes: “Oh man, this cake was so delicious! I will definitely be making this recipe again!”
Pam writes: “Made your Pumpkin Spice Cake today. Rave reviews. Everyone loved it! Topped it with creme cheese frosting and a dust of cinnamon. Absolutely delicious!!!”
Stacy writes: “I tried this recipe for my Thanksgiving dinner and it was a big hit with my guests. Very moist and flavorful. I will make it again.”
Heide writes: “This turned out absolutely delicious! I loved that it wasn’t over the top sweet and I honestly didn’t feel guilty about eating it! I used apple sauce with no added sugar and it turned out fabulous! It’s extremely moist and wonderful.”
Jeannette writes: “A hit! My 4 year old son had a blast making this and an even better time eating it.”
Michelle writes: “Kids love it and I love that it calls for a whole can of pumpkin.”
Cindy writes: “I just made this and it was delicious!! Frosted with cream cheese frosting… yum”
Angela writes: “I used just plain cool whip as frosting. It was fantastic!”
Theresa writes: “I added cream cheese frosting with roasted pecans on it for a potluck Thanksgiving dinner at work.”
Linda writes: “Linda writes: “I made it and added a cup of chocolate chips and a milk glaze. Delicious 
”
Morgan writes: “Yummy! Used white cake mix and added my own nutmeg and pumpkin pie spice. Absolutely delicious.”
Lynne writes: “Try using maple flavoring in the frosting. Yum!”
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Did You Enjoy This Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Leave a comment & review below!
Pumpkin Spice Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 13.25 ounces Betty Crocker Spice Cake Mix
- 15 ounces Pure Pumpkin Puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1/3 cup Applesauce
- 3 large Eggs
- 1 1/4 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees for 9x13 glass or aluminum pan, or 325 degrees for 9x13 nonstick pan.
- Spray bottom of pan with nonstick cooking spray, and set aside.
- Combine all ingredients in large mixing bowl, and mix with hand mixer or stand mixer until well combined.
- Then pour cake batter into your cake pan, and spread out evenly.
- Bake on center oven rack for 26 – 31 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- After cake has cooled completely, top with Cream Cheese Frosting and ENJOY!
Notes
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I’ve got more ideas I know you’ll love!
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Josh says
This is a great simple recipe that was very simple
Heidi says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Josh! It really is such a cinch to make! 🙂
Susan says
Your recipe will make a nice moist cake. That two ingredient cake idea is lacking moisture. I will use your recipe as written, add chocolate chips and a streusel topping! These additions are wonderful suggestions from the many comments.
Heidi says
That sounds like a delicious idea, Susan… ENJOY!
Dorie says
has anyone yet made it in a bundle pan?I’m curious how it turned out if so. thanks
Lorraine says
I have no applesauce. What can I substitute for it? Thanks
BR says
What happens if I made cake according to the box and added the extra ???
Heidi says
Unfortunately that wouldn’t work the same, as the pumpkin and applesauce replace the need for water and oil on the box instructions.
Cynthia says
I didn’t have spice cake mix, so I used vanilla and amped up the spices with cinnamon, allspice, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg and cloves. Instead of frosting, I made crumb topping. The recipe was super easy and the cake was super moist. We ate every crumb!
Heidi says
That sounds absolutely delicious, Cynthia!
Megs says
Could this go on a jelly roll pan?
Mitzi L LaPaugh says
I made this recipe and added white chips! Delicious! A must!!
Heidi says
I’m so glad you loved it, Mitzi… and the white chips sound like a delicious addition! Thank you for sharing that fun tip! 🙂
Amber says
Am I supposed to do the cake mix with the directions on the box too? Like with the eggs and stuff and then just add the ingredients you listed?
Heidi says
Hi Amber… no, you’ll want to completely disregard the direction on the box, and just follow the instructions on the recipe here. 🙂
Cindy Smith says
Can you make this in a bundt cake pan?
Heidi says
Hi Cindy ~ I honestly haven’t ever tried making this cake in a bundt pan, but if you do… let me know how it turns out!
Denise Wynett says
Hello. I made this recipe but made cupcakes instead of a 9×13 cake. Wow!! They are so good!
Thanks so much for sharing. The cream cheese frosting is the best! My dog George licked the bowl clean.
Heidi says
What a great idea to make them into cupcakes, Denise! And I’m glad George liked the frosting, too! 🙂
Lisa says
How long would you bake them if you made them as cupcakes or muffins?
Heidi says
Hi Lisa ~ I would start checking them around 18 – 20 minutes. 🙂
Aarthi | Prepbowls says
I was browsing thru , for pumpkin spiced cake recipe , I am so happy to have found this . A Delish and easy to make cake , perfect for the season , I am always in for semi homemade.
Heidi says
Thanks Aarthi… the cake mix shortcut really makes it so fast to put together, and it really is beyond delicious. ENJOY!
Christie says
This pumpkin spice cake is truly calling my name and I really love that it only requires 5 ingredients to make. It sounds so easy and there’s really no excuse for me not to try it!
Heidi says
Right? You will LOVE it, Christie… and you won’t believe how simple it is to make! 🙂
Rose says
Hi Heidi! Just wanted to tell you I made the Pumpkin Spice cake for card night and everyone loved it! I hade one piece left which I just finish as my dessert. Thank you for a great recipe. I will be making this cake again!
Heidi says
Thank you so much, Rose… I’m so glad to hear everyone loved it! 🙂
Natalie says
We are having a surprise party for my mother in law and they said she likes spice cake. I am doing a tiered cake with 4 layers on the bottom and a smaller top with 3 layers. Do you think this cake will hold up to being stacked, frosted, and covered in fondant? I have a feeling it might be too moist and may fall apart when iced. I would use dowels to support the bottom part.
L. says
Out of all the pumpkin cake recipes I have tried, this is my favorite and one of the easiest to make. Thank you!
Heidi says
Aww… thank you so much for the sweet comment… I’m so glad you liked it! 🙂
Julie says
Very easy recipe and was a very moist cake .A big hit with the hubby and will make again for sure . Thank you
Karen says
I made this today. It was so easy and tastes great! Thanks for the recipe!
Heidi says
You’re very welcome, Karen! So glad you liked it! 🙂
Pam says
Made your Pumpkin Spice Cake today. Rave reviews. Everyone loved it! Topped it with a basic creme cheese frosting and a dust of cinnamon. Absolutely delicious!!! 🙂
Heidi says
Aww ~ thanks so much for the sweet comment, Pam… so glad everyone loved it! I love it the best with cream cheese frosting, too! 😉
Trisha says
I have this cake in the oven now. I can’t wait to try it!