This Pumpkin Spice Cake Recipe is the pumpkin sensation you’ve been dreaming of. It’s the perfect blend of sweet pumpkin and cozy Fall spices! Plus it’s crazy easy to prepare. Just 5 ingredients and 5 minutes for prep, and it’s ready to pop in your oven!
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.”
Something marvelous is about to come out of your oven.
Can you smell it?
With each delightful bite, you’ll be enchanted by the mesmerizing Fall flavors dancing in your mouth.
Just like with this scrumptious Pumpkin Cake Dump Cake, this lovely Pumpkin Angel Food Cake, and this decadent Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe, too!
This cake is so good, you’ll want a second slice… and maybe even a third!
So get ready to unleash your pumpkin cravings… because this cake proves once and for all that pumpkin is THE quintessential Fall flavor!
It all starts with a boxed spice cake mix and a can of pumpkin.
Then, we’ll swap out the oil for applesauce to give it a perfectly moist and fluffy texture!
Finally, to achieve pure pumpkin spice perfection, you’ll top it off with this easy 5-minute Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting!
Trust me, you need this old fashioned Pumpkin Spice Cake Recipe with box mix in your life!
So sit back, relax, and get ready to indulge… because preparing a taste bud thrilling pumpkin spice cake has never been so easy!
Here’s what you’ll do…
What Does Pumpkin Spice Cake Taste Like?
Imagine all of your favorite cozy flavors of Fall wrapped up into a luscious spice and pumpkin cake recipe.
That, my friend, is exactly what pumpkin spice cake recipe tastes like! It’s pure Autumn bliss with every bite, making it one of my most popular easy pumpkin recipes!
Pumpkin Cake Ingredients
It takes just 5 simple ingredients to make the BEST pumpkin spice cake with pumpkin puree!
Here’s what you’ll need to add to your grocery list, before you head off to score some Walmart grocery deals…
- Spice Cake Mix – A yellow cake mix + spices can be substituted (see notes in recipe below)
- Pumpkin Pie Spice – or use this simple pumpkin pie spice recipe!
- Pure Pumpkin – You can make this pumpkin cake with fresh pumpkin or pumpkin from a can.
- Applesauce
- Eggs
- *optional: Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
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 mix pumpkin spice cake recipe is the applesauce! Just like with my cake mix pumpkin muffins and my pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.
Thanks to the water content of the applesauce, it’s a substitution that will save you some calories and fat when swapped out for the oil. It will also keep the moisture level up on your finished cake!
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItHow 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…
1. Mix all your ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Then pour the contents of the bowl into a 9×13 cake pan.
3. Bake in the oven as specified.
4. Once done, allow your cake to cool completely.
5. Finally… frost your cake with some delicious cream cheese frosting.
Then, serve it up with some stovetop hot chocolate or mug filled with this pumpkin spice coffee recipe… and Enjoy!
Or… make it ahead of time to serve as one of the easiest easy Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes ever!
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Cake in a Crockpot
If you’ve never made a pumpkin spice cake from cake mix in your slow cooker, you definitely need to! It’s such a smart way to free up oven space during the holidays. It’s also one of the best recipes for a crowd you can prepare and one of my most popular Fall crockpot recipes.
Here’s what you’ll do…
1. Spray inside of 6 quart crockpot with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Pour mixture into crockpot and cover with lid.
3. Cook on HIGH for 1 1/2 – 2 hours, or until done and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
4. Once done, remove lid and allow cake to cool in the crockpot.
5. After cake has cooled, carefully cut slices, serve and ENJOY!
Here’s what your frugal friends are saying after trying this crockpot pumpkin spice cake recipe…
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 with this pumpkin spice cake mix recipe.
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 Spice 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 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!”
Jennifer writes: “This is an amazing cake. Super moist and the cream cheese frosting is so good. I did not have any applesauce so I substituted 1/4 cup each of oil and water and it turned out great!”
More Popular Fall Dessert Recipes
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
- Gather your ingredients.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees for 9×13 glass or aluminum pan, or 325 degrees for 9×13 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!
- Alternatively, I show you in the notes below how to make a crockpot pumpkin spice cake recipe…
Notes
- 1. Pour cake batter into 5 – 6 quart crockpot sprayed with non-stick cooking spray, and cover with lid.
- Cook on HIGH for 1.5 – 2 hours, or until done and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Allow to cool in crockpot, carefully cut into slices, and ENJOY!
- Use a Yellow Cake Mix, and whisk in the following:
- 1 3/4 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. Ground Ginger
- 1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp. Ground Cloves
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
Its super easy and delicious!
Thank you so much Raul, I am so glad you liked it!
This is a great simple recipe that was very simple
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Josh! It really is such a cinch to make! 🙂
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.
That sounds like a delicious idea, Susan… ENJOY!
has anyone yet made it in a bundle pan?I’m curious how it turned out if so. thanks
I haven’t, but if you do… let us know how it turns out!
What happens if I made cake according to the box and added the extra ???
Unfortunately that wouldn’t work the same, as the pumpkin and applesauce replace the need for water and oil on the box instructions.
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!
That sounds absolutely delicious, Cynthia!
Could this go on a jelly roll pan?
I haven’t ever tried it that way, but if you do… let us know how it turns out!
I made this recipe and added white chips! Delicious! A must!!
I’m so glad you loved it, Mitzi… and the white chips sound like a delicious addition! Thank you for sharing that fun tip! 🙂
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?
Hi Amber… no, you’ll want to completely disregard the direction on the box, and just follow the instructions on the recipe here. 🙂
Can you make this in a bundt cake pan?
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!