Irresistible Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake Recipe for Fall Magic

Sweet pumpkin gooey butter cake revamps ordinary dessert expectations into a delectable autumn indulgence.

Rich, velvety textures meld perfectly with warm seasonal spices that dance across your palate.

Delightful layers of creamy filling nestled between tender cake create an irresistible contrast that beckons hungry guests.

Midwestern bakers have long celebrated this decadent treat as a crowd-pleasing delicacy that elevates traditional fall gatherings.

Soft, moist layers promise a luxurious experience that transcends typical dessert boundaries.

Unexpected combinations of ingredients blend seamlessly, delivering a remarkable sensory journey through comfort and innovation.

Indulge in this mouthwatering creation that will become your new seasonal obsession.

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake That Melts in Your Mouth

• Create Effortless Comfort: This pumpkin gooey butter cake delivers maximum flavor with minimal kitchen effort, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels who want a delicious dessert without complicated techniques.
• Celebrate Seasonal Warmth: Loaded with cozy autumn spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, this cake captures the essence of fall in every decadent bite, transforming a simple dessert into a nostalgic experience.
• Indulge in Luxurious Texture: The unique combination of a crisp cake mix crust and a silky, gooey pumpkin cream cheese filling creates an irresistible contrast that melts in your mouth, offering a luxurious dessert experience that's both comforting and sophisticated.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Ready in under an hour, this dessert is ideal for last-minute gatherings, potlucks, or spontaneous sweet cravings, ensuring you can whip up a impressive treat without spending hours in the kitchen.

Key Ingredients for Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake Success

• Yellow Cake Mix: Classic mix providing structure and sweetness for the cake base.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a smooth, tender crust.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and provides structure to the crust.

• Pumpkin Puree: Smooth, pure pumpkin offering classic autumn flavor and creamy texture.
• Cream Cheese: Provides tangy richness and helps create a smooth, gooey filling.
• Eggs: Crucial for binding and creating a custardy texture in the filling.
• Dark Brown Sugar: Adds deep, molasses-like sweetness and moisture to the filling.
• Butter: Enhances richness and contributes to the gooey texture.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex background flavor to the cake.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger: Classic warm spices that complement pumpkin and create a cozy, autumn-inspired taste profile.

Steps to Make a Rich and Gooey Pumpkin Dessert

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Grab a springform or round cake pan and line it with parchment paper. Spray lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Crust Layer

• Yellow cake mix
• Melted butter
• Egg

Mix until the ingredients form a soft dough. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating a thin, smooth crust.

Step 3: Whip Up the Pumpkin Filling

• Pumpkin puree
• Softened cream cheese
• Eggs
• Dark brown sugar
• Remaining melted butter
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Ginger

Beat on low speed, making sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. The mixture should be smooth and fully combined.

Step 4: Layer and Bake

Pour the pumpkin mixture over the crust, spreading it out evenly. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 40-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top turns a beautiful golden brown, but the center remains slightly soft and gooey.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Let the cake rest for at least 10 minutes after removing from the oven. As it cools, the center will firm up slightly. Slice and serve this decadent dessert that combines the richness of butter cake with the warm spices of pumpkin.

Tips for Achieving That Buttery, Tender Center

• Select High-Quality Ingredients: Choose fresh, organic pumpkin puree and full-fat cream cheese for the richest, most decadent flavor profile.
• Prevent Crust Sticking: Generously spray parchment paper with cooking spray to ensure the cake releases smoothly from the pan.
• Master the Gooey Texture: Watch the baking time carefully, removing the cake when the edges are golden but the center remains slightly jiggly for that signature soft, luscious consistency.
• Chill for Better Slicing: Let the cake cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for 1-2 hours to help it set and make cutting cleaner and more precise.
• Enhance Spice Depth: Toast ground spices like cinnamon and nutmeg briefly in a dry skillet before adding to the mixture to intensify their warm, aromatic qualities.

Keeping Pumpkin Butter Cake Moist After Baking

• Refrigerate: Store leftover pumpkin gooey butter cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
• Freeze: Wrap individual slices or the entire cake in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Reheat: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. Enjoy the cake slightly warm for maximum gooey goodness.

Sweet Companions to Enjoy with This Fall Favorite

• Pair with Warm Spiced Chai: A creamy, spiced chai tea complements the cake's rich pumpkin flavors, echoing the warming cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger notes while cutting through the dessert's decadent sweetness.
• Serve Alongside Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Cold, smooth vanilla ice cream provides a refreshing contrast to the warm, gooey cake, creating a delightful temperature and texture balance that enhances the dessert's indulgent profile.
• Match with Caramel Bourbon Sauce: A drizzle of caramel bourbon sauce adds depth and complexity, amplifying the cake's brown sugar undertones and creating a luxurious, sophisticated dessert experience that elevates the classic pumpkin flavor.
• Complement with Toasted Pecans: Sprinkle crunchy, toasted pecans on top to introduce a nutty texture and earthy flavor that harmonizes with the cake's warm spices and provides a delightful textural contrast to the gooey center.

Fun Spins on Classic Pumpkin Gooey Cake

• Autumn Spice Transformation: Swap yellow cake mix with spice cake mix and add extra pumpkin pie spice for deeper seasonal warmth.
• Chocolate Pumpkin Dream: Replace some pumpkin puree with dark chocolate chips and add cocoa powder to the cream cheese mixture for rich, decadent layers.
• Maple Pecan Paradise: Incorporate maple syrup instead of brown sugar and sprinkle chopped pecans across the top before baking for crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
• Gluten-Free Harvest Edition: Use gluten-free yellow cake mix and almond flour as alternative base ingredients, maintaining the cake's classic gooey consistency while accommodating dietary needs.

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Rich Louisiana-style pumpkin gooey butter cake delivers pure autumn indulgence. Creamy pumpkin filling nestled over a buttery crust creates irresistible comfort that will make you crave another slice.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 4 large eggs (1 egg for crust, 3 eggs for filling)
• 8 ounces (226 grams) unsalted butter, melted (2 sticks, divided)
• 1 ½ cups pumpkin puree
• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened

Sweet Enhancers:

• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Spices:

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

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Instructions

1. Craft a buttery foundation by blending cake mix, melted butter, and an egg until a cohesive dough forms.
2. Gently press the mixture into a parchment-lined pan, creating an even, thin crust layer that will serve as the cake’s base.
3. In a separate mixing vessel, whisk together pumpkin puree, cream cheese, eggs, dark brown sugar, remaining butter, vanilla, and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger until completely smooth and well-integrated.
4. Carefully cascade the luxurious pumpkin mixture over the prepared crust, ensuring an uniform distribution across the entire surface.
5. Position the pan in a preheated oven set to 350°F, allowing the cake to transform and bake for approximately 40-50 minutes.
6. Monitor the surface, looking for a golden-brown exterior while maintaining a slightly jiggly center that promises a decadent, gooey texture.
7. Remove from the oven and permit the cake to rest and settle for at least 10 minutes, during which the center will gradually firm and the flavors will meld.
8. Slice and serve, revealing the luscious, velvety interior that exemplifies the quintessential pumpkin gooey butter cake experience.

Notes

• Make sure to use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and better texture.
• Overmixing the crust layer can lead to a tough, dense base, so mix just until combined.
• Check the cake around 40 minutes to prevent over-browning, as every oven varies slightly.
• Let the cake cool completely for cleaner, more defined slices that hold their shape.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, covering tightly to maintain moisture.
• For best flavor, serve slightly chilled or at room temperature with a dollop of whipped cream.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg