Pumpkin Sheet Cake Moist, Easy & Perfectly Spiced Fall Dessert

The scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and baked pumpkin drifting from the oven might be the single most comforting thing about fall. And when that aroma comes from a pumpkin sheet cake cooling on your counter, you know the season’s joy has officially arrived.

This dessert is everything you crave in autumn — soft, spiced, and topped with the dreamiest cream cheese frosting. It’s a dessert that blends simplicity with elegance, feeding a crowd without requiring layer-cake patience.

Over the years, I’ve tested countless pumpkin cakes. The Pumpkin Sheet Cake from AllRecipes inspired me with its nostalgic flavor and walnuts-on-top crunch. Jessica’s Pumpkin Dream Cake from How Sweet Eats proved that a cinnamon cream cheese frosting can transform a humble bake into a showstopper. And, of course, The Pioneer Woman’s version brought that old-fashioned “Texas sheet cake” charm — buttery, light, and ready in under an hour.

This recipe is my cozy blend of all three — a moist, deeply spiced pumpkin sheet cake that serves 15+ guests, perfect for potlucks, holidays, or just an ordinary afternoon craving.

Before you preheat your oven, explore our full fall collection on Tiramisucake.com:

• 🍰 Best Sheet Cake Recipes – 15 Easy, Classic & Creative Sheet Cakes (pillar)
• 🍌 banana sheet cake
• 🍎 apple cinnamon sheet cake
• 🍂 spice sheet cake

🎃 Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Sheet Cake

This isn’t just another fall cake. It’s the golden child of seasonal desserts — simple to bake, rich in flavor, and endlessly adaptable.

✨ What Makes It Irresistible:

• Moist & Fluffy Texture: Thanks to pumpkin puree and a touch of Greek yogurt, this cake bakes up light yet rich.
• Perfectly Spiced: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice deliver that warm autumn comfort without overpowering.
• Crowd-Friendly Size: A 9×13-inch pan makes enough to share — or not.
• Easy One-Bowl Batter: No mixer needed, no fuss.
• That Frosting! The cinnamon cream cheese frosting creates a tangy-sweet contrast to the spiced cake — a match made in fall heaven.
• Customizable: Add walnuts, pecans, or even a maple drizzle for texture and flavor.

Chef James’s tip: If you’re bringing dessert to a gathering, this is the one. It travels well, cuts cleanly, and earns you repeat invitations.

🧂 Ingredients You’ll Need

🥣 For the Cake:

• 2 cups pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1:1 mix)
• 1 ¾ cups brown sugar (or half brown, half white for lighter sweetness)
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup Greek yogurt (or applesauce for a lighter version)
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon cloves (optional, for deeper spice)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

🧁 For the Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2½ cups powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional but heavenly)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2–3 teaspoons milk, as needed for texture

🌰 Optional Toppings:

• Chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch
• A light dusting of pumpkin pie spice for garnish

💡 Ingredient Upgrade: Try adding 1 teaspoon of maple extract (a Pioneer Woman trick) to your frosting — it adds warmth and depth that pairs beautifully with pumpkin.

🧁 How to Make the Perfect Pumpkin Sheet Cake

This is the kind of recipe that fills your home with comfort and your table with smiles. Follow these simple steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or a half-sheet pan for thinner cake slices.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and all the spices.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, sugar, oil, yogurt, eggs, and vanilla until smooth and glossy.
4. Bring It Together: Gently fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients until no flour streaks remain.
5. Bake: Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25–35 minutes (or 20–25 minutes for a sheet pan). The cake is ready when a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Cool Completely: Patience is key before frosting — a warm cake will melt your frosting.
7. Make Frosting: Beat together cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla, and mix until smooth. Add milk gradually to reach spreading consistency.
8. Frost + Decorate: Spread evenly over cooled cake and top with nuts or a dusting of cinnamon.

🍂 Chef James’s Signature Twist: Add a drizzle of maple glaze (powdered sugar + maple syrup + milk) over the frosted cake for a bakery-style finish.

Pair this with a cup of hot cider and check out our other cozy fall bakes like the coconut sheet cake recipe or the red velvet sheet cake for your next dessert spread.

🧁 The Frosting — Cinnamon Cream Cheese Bliss

The secret that transforms a good pumpkin sheet cake into an unforgettable one? The frosting. A smooth, cinnamon-kissed cream cheese frosting is the signature touch that turns every bite into a cozy fall dream.

When developing this pumpkin sheet cake recipe, I drew inspiration from Jessica’s version on How Sweet Eats — that irresistible cinnamon cream cheese layer that melts into the spiced crumb. It’s rich, balanced, and just sweet enough to complement the pumpkin flavor.

✨ How to Make the Perfect Frosting:

1. Use room-temperature ingredients. Cold butter and cream cheese won’t blend smoothly.
2. Beat butter and cream cheese for at least 2 minutes until fluffy.
3. Add powdered sugar gradually to create a silky, spreadable texture.
4. Stir in cinnamon and vanilla to deepen the flavor.
5. Thin with milk or half-and-half until creamy but not runny.

💡 Chef James Tip: Add a dash of maple extract (thank you, Pioneer Woman) to your frosting. It enhances the natural sweetness of pumpkin and ties the whole pumpkin sheet cake together.

Want to play with flavors? Try using pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon or add a swirl of brown butter for a nutty aroma.

Pair this creamy frosting with our spice sheet cake or apple cinnamon sheet cake for another cozy fall bake.

🍂Baking Secrets for a Perfect Pumpkin Sheet Cake

Every baker knows the difference between a good cake and a show-stopping pumpkin sheet cake comes down to technique. These are the tested tricks that make your cake tender, moist, and bursting with fall flavor.

👨‍🍳 Chef James’s Proven Tips:

• Use pure pumpkin puree. Avoid pumpkin pie filling, which has extra sugar and spices that overpower your cake.
• Mix with care. Overmixing makes your pumpkin sheet cake dense instead of airy.
• Balance the sweetness. A blend of brown and white sugar gives your cake caramel depth without being too rich.
• Don’t skip salt. It enhances every spice and keeps the sweetness in check.
• Bake at 350°F. Check at 25 minutes — pumpkin sheet cake can dry out fast if overbaked.
• Let it cool completely before frosting to keep the cream cheese layer smooth.
• Use a metal pan for even baking and golden edges.

🔥 Pro Shortcut: Substitute ¼ cup of oil with applesauce or Greek yogurt. This trick keeps your pumpkin sheet cake incredibly moist without extra fat.

If you love experimenting, explore banana sheet cake or coconut sheet cake recipe — both use the same moist sheet-style base with creative flavor twists.

🍽️ Serving Your Pumpkin Sheet Cake Like a Pro

A pumpkin sheet cake deserves to be served with as much care as it’s baked. Whether it’s a Thanksgiving dinner or a cozy afternoon treat, presentation makes every slice feel special.

🎃 Serving Ideas:

• Classic & Cozy: Cut into squares and dust with cinnamon or powdered sugar.
• Elegant Dessert Table: Serve on a white marble platter surrounded by fall leaves and cinnamon sticks.
• Warm & Comforting: Slightly heat your pumpkin sheet cake slice and top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
• Mini Servings: Bake in ramekins for individual desserts — adorable for parties.

🍁 Pairing Perfection:
Enjoy this pumpkin sheet cake with hot spiced chai, pumpkin latte, or apple cider. The tangy frosting and soft crumb make it ideal after a savory dinner or brunch spread.

For variety, serve alongside red velvet sheet cake or carrot sheet cake to create a colorful fall dessert trio.

🧊 How to Store and Freeze Your Pumpkin Sheet Cake

This pumpkin sheet cake is one of those desserts that gets even better the next day — the spices deepen, the texture softens, and the cream cheese frosting turns velvety.

🕒 Storing:

• Keep your pumpkin sheet cake covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Bring it to room temperature before serving for that just-baked texture.

❄️ Freezing:

• Unfrosted: Wrap the cooled pumpkin sheet cake tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Freeze up to 2 months.
• Frosted: Freeze after chilling the frosted cake to firm up the topping. Wrap gently and freeze for up to 1 month.
• To Serve: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before slicing.

💡 Chef James’s Make-Ahead Tip: Bake your pumpkin sheet cake two days before your event, frost the morning of serving, and store it chilled. The flavors meld perfectly while the crumb stays moist — just like Ree Drummond’s classic method.

For other cakes that store beautifully, check out our gluten-free sheet cake or vegan chocolate sheet cake — both ideal for make-ahead dessert tables.

🧠 FAQs — People Also Ask About Pumpkin Sheet Cake

🍰 What to Serve With This Pumpkin Sheet Cake

Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner or a cozy family night, this pumpkin sheet cake shines with these complementary treats:

• 🍎 apple cinnamon sheet cake — sweet and spiced for double fall comfort.
• 🍌 banana sheet cake — perfect for a soft and fruity contrast.
• 🍫 peanut butter chocolate sheet cake — for the chocolate lovers at your table.
• 🥕 carrot sheet cake — another moist, spiced favorite with cream cheese frosting.

Print

👨‍🍳 Chef James’s

There’s something magical about a pumpkin sheet cake that brings people together — the golden crumb, the cozy aroma, and that luscious frosting melting on your fork. Whether you serve it at a holiday potluck or bake it “just because,” this cake carries that homemade warmth every baker dreams of.

Now, go preheat that oven — and remember: the best recipes are made with both spice and soul.

💬 Try it and comment below — I’d love to hear how your kitchen smells after baking this one!

For safe food handling tips, always check the USDA guidelines before baking.