This Pumpkin Cake is moist and fluffy with the perfect cream cheese frosting to finish it off! Grab a glass of cold milk and enjoy a slice or two of this incredible cake!

This Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is probably one of the most delicious desserts I’ve ever tasted! It is so moist, yet fluffy and filled with so much pumpkin flavor! 🙂
One of the key ingredients in this cake is apple sauce. It replaces half of the oil typically used, and makes it a little bit healthier (just a little. ha!) and extra moist and delish!
When it comes to pumpkin treats, it is cakes and bars that I love. I’m not a big fan of pumpkin pie. At all. I think it’s a texture thing. I love a soft, fluffy cake that melts in your mouth like this cake does. And that frosting. Oh, I adore some classic cream cheese frosting, and it just finishes this cake off with perfection! 🙂

MORE DELICIOUS PUMPKIN RECIPES YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
Pumpkin Rolls
Pumpkin Cobbler
Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls
Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcakes
Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon salt
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
- 1 block (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup salted butter, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, add eggs, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, apple sauce and pumpkin puree. Stir with a whisk until thoroughly combined. (No need for an electric mixer!)
- In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Stir with a clean whisk to sift and combine.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to wet mixture, just until combined. Batter will be thick. Pour batter into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake cake for 28 to 30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cake completely before frosting.
FOR CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
- In a large bowl, add cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Beat with an electric hand-mixer on medium speed until well combined. Gradually blend in powdered sugar. Frost cake with frosting and serve!
What can I use if I have no applesauce ?
You can replace it with vegetable oil. So use 1 cup vegetable oil instead of apple sauce
I made this over the weekend. My husband is a fussy eater and he loved it. I added walnuts as we are nut lovers. I also used a butter substitute in the icing but can’t say that it compromised the flavor at all. This is an absolute keeper in our household now- delicious.
Joanne, I’m so happy it was a hit for you! Yep, definitely a keeper! 🙂
Can I make this as a 2 layer cake instead of a square one?
I have made this cake about a dozen times in the past year. The icing is totally amazing. (I add some nutmeg to the icing too.) Everyone loves it. It’s so moist and delicious!
Hi! What if I bake it in a bundt cake pan? How long should it bake for?
Do you recommend unsalted or salted butter for the frosting?
I always use salted butter. Just a personal preference 🙂
This cake is delicious! I will definitely be making it again,
Can this be made with gluten free flour?
June, I have not tried this recipe with gluten free flour, so I can’t say if it would work or not. I’m sorry!
If I use regular applesauce will it still be okay
Yes 🙂