Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened (for frosting)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 3 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 1 tablespoon strong brewed coffee, cooled (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or two 8-inch round cake pans to ensure the cake releases easily after baking. This helps the cake climb the sides of the pan evenly.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and espresso powder. Ensure the espresso powder is evenly distributed so you don’t get bitter clumps.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined. The mixture should be a vibrant orange color.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stir by hand or with a mixer on low speed just until the flour disappears. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cake dense rather than fluffy.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pans and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
- While the cake cools, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and the tablespoon of brewed coffee, mixing until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
- Once the cake is entirely cool, spread the coffee cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. If you used round pans, place one layer down, add a layer of frosting, and then top with the second cake layer before frosting the exterior.
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian