• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Cocktails
  • Dessert
  • Appetizers
  • Parties
  • Shop

Cupcakes and Cutlery logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Cocktails
  • Entertaining
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Cocktails
    • Entertaining
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Dessert » Best Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

    Published: Aug 18, 2023 · Updated: Aug 18, 2023 by Sharon Garofalow | This post may contain affiliate links. See the privacy policy linked in my footer.

    Best Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pumpkin sheet cake with cream cheese frosting.
    Text: Pumpkin Cheese Cake with Cream Cheese frosting with a 9 x 13 pan with a frosted cake and plate with a piece of cake on it.

    It's time for the Best Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe. It's an easy dessert recipe, full of warm fall spices, that you are going to crave all season long! Grab that can of pumpkin and make this simple from scratch recipe.

    A square piece of pumpkin sheet cake with cream cheese frosting on a white dessert plate.
    This pumpkin sheet cake is comfort food at its finest and feeds a crowd.
    Jump to:
    • Why This Pumpkin Cake Recipe Works
    • Ingredient Notes
    • How to make a Pumpkin Sheet Cake
    • How to Make the Frosting
    • Tips and Tricks
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More pumpkin recipes to check out
    • Pumpkin Sheet Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting

    Why This Pumpkin Cake Recipe Works

    This easy Pumpkin Sheet Cake Recipe is a delicious seasonal cake to make for a crowd, like family gatherings near the holidays.

    With a simple cream cheese frosting, this sheet cake can be made ahead of whenever you want to serve it. This is one of my favorite easy dessert recipes for fall. And you'll love it too.

    This pumpkin sheet cake is moist and flavorful and just the sweet treat that I want when the weather starts to cool off.

    Perfectly paired with an easy cream cheese frosting, this spiced cake is fuss-free and ready to share with others. Using a 9 x 13 baking dish keeps things simple for non-skilled bakers (hello, me!).

    Related: Pumpkin Mug Cake

    Layering on the frosting means that no artistic, cake-decorating skill is required. Which is great, because I don't have that skill. Like, at all.

    Typically I prefer to make desserts with cake mix, but it's really not too hard to make this pumpkin sheet cake from scratch.

    With the addition of spices and canned pumpkin puree, it takes a basic vanilla cake and makes it seasonal and great for any fall holiday gathering.

    If you're a big pumpkin fan, you also might love a Pumpkin Recipes e-cookbook! I worked on this with some blogging friends and it has 30 recipes with breakfast, drinks and desserts that are all pumpkin flavored! YUM!

    Thanksgiving Printable Decor image with text on what the pdf includes and some photos of the pages you'll get.

    Ingredient Notes

    Text: Sheet cake ingredients and all the ingredients listed out with a piece of cake in the background.

    Scroll down to the end of the post for a printable recipe card with full measurements and more detailed instructions.

    For the cake

    You can use all-purpose flour if that's what you have, but cake flour will make things a bit more light and fluffy.

    Baking powder is what makes the cake rise, so don't forget it!

    Sugar, salt, pumpkin pie spice mix, cinnamon, and nutmeg make this cake perfect for fall.

    Pumpkin pie spice is a really great way to get a delicious mix of flavors without having to have all the individual spices on hand.

    Adding extra cinnamon and nutmeg makes it even more flavorful. It allows us to amp up those flavors that instantly give the cake eater a warm and cozy fall feeling.

    You can make your own pumpkin puree. But that is a whole process that would take a really long time. And since this recipe is so easy, I'd keep it as easy as possible with canned pumpkin.

    Oil, eggs, and vanilla extract round out the wet ingredients.

    For the cream cheese frosting

    Cream cheese and butter make this frosting rich and decadent, but I know cream cheese isn't for everyone.

    Make sure you grab confectioners sugar for this recipe. Granulated sugar is too coarse.

    Any milk will do. Although you will lose a little richness if you chose to use skim.

    Vanilla extract is best when it's pure and not imitation.

    The pinch of cinnamon in the cream cheese frosting is the perfect touch. Do not skip it!

    How to make a Pumpkin Sheet Cake

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

    Grease and flour a baking pan and set aside.

    Mixing bowl with pumpkin cake batter with a whisk sitting in it.

    Step 1

    In a separate bowl whisk together the oil, eggs, pumpkin puree and vanilla extract.

    Step 2

    In a large bowl combine the dry ingredients: the flour with the baking powder, sugar, salt, pumpkin pie spice mix, cinnamon and nutmeg and set aside.

    Step 3

    Pour half the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and beat with a hand mixer until incorporated.

    Step 4

    Add the rest of the wet ingredients and beat on high speed for 3 minutes.

    Step 5

    Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and put in the oven.

    Baked Pumpkin Cake in a glass baking dish on a table with spices laying around it.

    Step 6

    Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

    Remove from the oven and let it cool down completely before frosting.

    How to Make the Frosting

    Baking dish with frosted Pumpkin Cake on a table with fresh spices around it.

    Making the cream cheese frosting is crazy simple. So easy you can make it all the time and put it on everything. Because it's that good.

    Step 1

    In a large bowl beat all the ingredients together on medium speed until light and creamy.

    That's it. Easy.

    Use an offset spatula to slather on the cream cheese goodness.

    Square piece of pumpkin spice cake on a dessert plate with spices and napkin on the table next to it.

    Tips and Tricks

    • If you don't love how the frosting looks, you can always sprinkle something on top to distract. Use sprinkles, extra cinnamon, etc. It's a trick I've used many times...
    • If you would rather use a basic vanilla buttercream, you absolutely can. This recipe is my FAVORITE!
    • Make sure you use pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling has spices included and we want to add them ourselves for a better flavor.
    • You can bake this easy pumpkin sheet cake recipe into cupcakes or even round cakes but the baking time will differ.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you freeze this cake?

    This pumpkin cake is totally freezer-friendly! I love to freeze it unfrosted, wrapped in plastic wrap. When you're ready to serve, just thaw the cake overnight in the refrigerator.

    Take the cake out of the plastic wrap and move it to an airtight container before putting it in the fridge. Then frost and serve. It tastes just like it's been freshly baked!

    You know how busy the holiday season can be. Being able to make this cake ahead makes it a dream dessert.

    How many servings do you get from a sheet cake?

    This delicious cake makes 12 really nice Sharon-sized servings. I like dessert, what can I say. This little cake server makes it so easy. You could get even more servings if you cut them smaller.

    Can you make this sheet cake with a boxed cake mix?

    You can make a super easy, 2-ingredient pumpkin sheet cake by using a can of pumpkin and a boxed spice cake mix! Mix, bake and frost. It's a great option if you are pressed for time or just really don't want to bake from scratch. (Me, pretty much all the time).

    White plates holding square pieces of pumpkin cake on them with fabric napkin and spices on a table.

    Because of the sweet cream cheese frosting on top, you don't need any other toppings.

    Serve it with sparkling wine or a cup of coffee and enjoy a sweet treat at home with your friends and family.

    This would be a great Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving dessert idea, especially if you are attending a potluck-style event.

    A Pumpkin Sheet Cake with cream cheese frosting is a great fall dessert recipe to have in your recipe book. Because, yum.

    More pumpkin recipes to check out

    Even if, like me, you don't consider yourself a huge pumpkin fan, these easy recipes have plenty of other decadent flavors that you'll LOVE.

    • Fireball Pumpkin Pie Recipe: You know I love my easy cocktails, and this update on the classic pumpkin pie recipe adds a boozy touch with cinnamon whiskey.
    • Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie Milkshake: If you live on the west coast where fall is typically warm, this Pumpkin Pie Milkshake is for you! It has that seasonal flavor but will cool you down.
    • Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe: This Pumpkin Dump Cake is so quick and easy and is a traditional dump cake with no mixing required. So tasty!
    • This Pumpkin Trifle uses store-bought pumpkin muffins to keep things super simple. But you could use this sheet cake too!
    • If drinking pumpkin is more your style, try a Pumpkin Martini! It needs just a spoonful of pumpkin plus some vodka and cream. You'll love it!
    • Indulge in the creamy goodness of this Pumpkin Dip recipe with Cool Whip.
    A party table with text next to it to get email sign ups for a Thanksgiving Planner.
    Easy pumpkin cake topped with cream cheese frosting on a white plate.

    Pumpkin Sheet Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting

    With warm fall spices and made into a simple sheet cake, this easy Pumpkin Cheet Cake recipe is the perfect dessert for a holiday gathering. With cream cheese frosting, this dessert is stress-free and requires no special baking skills. Amen!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 480kcal
    Author: Sharon Garofalow

    Equipment

    • Whisk
    • Mixing bowl
    • Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
    • Sheet pan

    Ingredients

    For the pumpkin cake

    • 2 cups flour
    • 2 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 cup sugar
    • pinch of salt
    • 2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice mix
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
    • ¾ cup oil
    • 3 eggs
    • 1 cup pumpkin puree
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • About 1 cup of cream cheese frosting

    Cream Cheese Frosting

    • 8 oz. cream cheese softened
    • 3 tablespoon butter
    • 2 ½ cups confectioners sugar
    • 1 tablespoon milk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • pinch of cinnamon

    Instructions

    For the Pumpkin Cake

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
    • Grease and flour a baking pan and set aside.
    • In a large bowl combine the flour with the baking powder, sugar, salt, pumpkin pie spice mix, cinnamon and nutmeg then set aside.
    • In a separate bowl whisk together the oil, eggs, pumpkin puree and vanilla extract.
    • Pour half the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and beat until incorporated.
    • Add the rest of the wet ingredients and beat with a hand mixer on high speed for 3 minutes.
    • Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and put in the oven.
    • Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
    • Remove from the oven and let it cool down completely before frosting.

    For the Cream Cheese Frosting

    • In a large bowl, bowl beat all the ingredients together on medium speed until light and creamy.

    Notes

    • Make sure you use plain canned pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling.
    • If you don't love how the frosting looks, you can always sprinkle something on top to distract. Use sprinkles, extra cinnamon, etc. It's a trick I've used many times...
    • If you would rather use a basic vanilla buttercream, you absolutely can. This recipe is my FAVORITE!
    • Make sure you use pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling has spices included and we want to add them ourselves for a better flavor.
    • You can bake this cake into cupcakes or even round cakes but the baking time will differ.
    • You can make this cake ahead and freeze. Wrap the unfrosted cake in plastic wrap and freeze. To thaw, remove the plastic and thaw in the fridge in an air-tight container overnight. Then frost and serve.

      Nutrition

      Serving: 1piece | Calories: 480kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 175mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 3582IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 2mg
      Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @CupcakesCutlery or tag #cupcakescutlery!

      More Easy Dessert Recipes

      • Close up of a plate with 4 cookies stacked on top of each other.
        Apple Cookies Recipe with Butterscotch Chips
      • Easy to make spiced rum cupcakes with alcohol pipettes.
        Easy Spiced Rum Cupcakes Recipe with Pipettes
      • 2 halves of a banana in a small baking dish topped with brown sugar and cinnamon.
        Delicious Baked Bananas Recipe with Brown Sugar
      • Jello desserts for Thanksgiving along with some salads too.
        15 Delicious Jello Dessert Recipes for Thanksgiving

      Click to share!

      • Share
      • Tweet
      • Yummly
      • Flipboard
      • Mix

      About Sharon Garofalow

      Sharon lives in Southern California with her adorable family. She loves to share ideas to make mom life easier and encourage busy gals to make time for themselves too! Sharon's "me" time often includes watching Hallmark Channel movies, sipping sauvignon blanc, trying not to eat Salt and Pepper potato chips, and planning girlfriend getaways.

      Reader Interactions

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      Primary Sidebar

      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • Twitter
      • YouTube

      Welcome!
      I'm your go-to for easy, no-fuss party recipes. After hosting countless get-togethers and teaching myself to make cocktails at home, I'm sharing my secrets for how to mix drinks with ease (no bartender skills or fancy tools needed!). Plus learn my stress-free party shortcuts and favorite crowd-pleasing recipes. Email me at [email protected]

      More about Sharon →

      Posts about wine, liquor and/or cocktail recipes are expressly for people 21 years of age and older. Drink responsibly.

      It's never too early for Halloween

      • A hand holding a piece of Halloween bark made from white chocolate and red icing to look like blood splatters.
        Bloody Halloween Bark Recipe with White Chocolate
      • Green Halloween cocktail in a mason jar surrounded by plastic spiders.
        Halloween Cocktail Recipe with Tequila (Halloween Margarita)
      • Close up of a black Vodka Punch for Halloween in a glass pitcher.
        Creepy Halloween Vodka Punch Recipe [Alcoholic Black Punch]
      • Halloween dump cake topped with pretzels and candy bars in a glass dish.
        Chocolatey Halloween Dump Cake Recipe With Candy Bars

      Reader Favorites

      • Close up of a bundt cake with powdered sugar on it on a table.
        Easy 2-Ingredient Soda Cake Recipe
      • Close up of frosting in a bowl.
        The Best Quick and Easy Cool Whip Frosting Recipe
      • White baking dish with Strawberry Jello dessert with a small plate holding a serving in front of it on a table.
        Easy Strawberry, Jello and Angel Food Cake Dessert Recipe
      • Close up of dried beef cheese ball next to crackers
        Dried Beef Cheese Ball Recipe For Your Next Party

      Newest Posts

      • glass of haus spritzer on a serving tray
        Lemon Lavender Spritz Recipe (Haus Spritz)
      • Close up of a bottle on a table with a cocktail served in a wine glass next to it.
        Yummy Strawberry Basil Cocktail with Haus
      • Tropical rum cocktail garnished with a cocktail tick of pineapple chunks and a cocktail cherry.
        Sparkling Rosé Cocktail with Spiced Rum Recipe
      • Close up of a glass of mulled wine garnished with a orange wheel and a star anise.
        Holiday Spiced Wine Recipe (Mulled Wine)
      Text - Shop Now, Shop my Amazon! with food in serving dishes on a counter in a kitchen.

      Affiliate Link Disclosure

      Cupcakes and Cutlery is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Read my full disclosure policy.

      This site generates income via ads.

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      About

      • Accessibility Policy
      • CCPA
      • Privacy Policy

      Newsletter

      • Sign Up! for emails and updates

      Contact

      • Contact
      • Work With Me

      © 2008-2022 CUPCAKES & CUTLERY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.