ChefExtract
Spiced Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Inspired by ChefExtract

Spiced Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Serves 16 servingsPrep 20 minCook 25 minEst. calories 490 kcal per serving

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425g) pure pumpkin puree
  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

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Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 10x15-inch rimmed baking sheet or a 9x13-inch baking pan.

  2. 2

    In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and sea salt.

  3. 3

    In a large bowl, whisk the granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and pumpkin puree together until completely smooth.

  4. 4

    Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula just until combined, being careful not to overmix.

  5. 5

    Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top.

  6. 6

    Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

  7. 7

    While the cake cools completely, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth, then mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla until fluffy.

  8. 8

    Spread the frosting evenly over the completely cooled cake before slicing into squares.

Notes

To elevate the flavor profile, try browning the butter used in the cream cheese frosting for a rich, nutty undertone. Ensure the cake is completely cold before frosting to prevent the cream cheese mixture from melting.

The Story Behind Pumpkin Sheet Cake

Sheet cakes have a rich tradition in North American communal baking, originating in the 19th century as a practical dessert for feeding large crowds at harvest gatherings and church suppers. Native squashes were long valued by indigenous agriculturalists for their sweetness and storability, making pumpkin an essential autumn staple. The pairing of warmly spiced pumpkin cake with tangy cultured cream cheese frosting solidified in mid-20th-century home kitchens as an enduring symbol of fall harvest celebrations.

Discover Spiced Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Claire Saffitz

Claire Saffitz focuses on blooming warm spices in oil to build deep, aromatic depth in pumpkin baked goods. In her published pastry work, she emphasizes balancing high-moisture purees with precise ratios of sugar and cultured cream cheese frosting.