Spiced Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
Moist pumpkin sheet cake infused with warm spices topped with a luscious maple cream cheese frosting — perfect for fall gatherings. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 340 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz, softened cream cheese
- 1/2 cup, softened unsalted butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp milk
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch sheet pan. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until combined.
- Step 2: In another bowl, beat 1 cup vegetable oil with 3 large eggs, 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until smooth. Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently just until combined; do not overmix.
- Step 3: Pour batter into prepared sheet pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Step 4: For the frosting, beat 8 ounces softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add 3 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, and 2 tablespoons milk, beating until smooth and spreadable.
- Step 5: Once the cake is cool, spread the maple cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Slice into squares and serve.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Spiced Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Spiced Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Spiced Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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