Three Layer Pumpkin Cake
Basically a pumpkin loaf turned into a three layer cake, this three layer pumpkin cake is perfect for any autumn occasion! Frosted with cream cheese frosting and decorated with marshmallow spider webs, it's the cutest cake of the century!
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time50 minutes mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cream cheese, cream cheese frosting, pumpkin, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cake, pumpkin spice
Servings: 12 slices
For the Cake:
- 1 ⅔ cups Cake Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- ¾ cup Granulated Sugar
- ½ cup Brown Sugar
- ⅔ cup Unsalted Butter
- 2 teaspoons Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Ginger
- ½ teaspoon Nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon Cardamom
- ⅛ teaspoon Cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon All Spice
- ¾ teaspoon Salt
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 1 ⅔ cups Pumpkin Puree
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (softened and at room temperature)
- 16 ounces Cream Cheese (2 cream cheese blocks)
- 6 cups Powdered Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
For Decoration:
- Black Food Dye
- 10-15 Marshmallows
For the Cake:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line three 6 inch cake rounds with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a medium sized bowl, add the cake flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Whisk together to combine. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the sugars, butter, spices and salt. Use a hand mixer to beat on high for 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well to incorporate. Add the vanilla extract and pumpkin puree and mix well.
Add the dry ingredients and beat on a low speed until no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to over beat the batter or else you will wind up with a tough cake!
Divide the batter evenly amongst the three prepared pans and bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before assembling.
For the Frosting:
Beat the butter until very smooth and no lumps are there. Add the cream cheese and beat together until they are fully mixed together.
Add the powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla. Mix on high for 2-3 minutes to whip until light and fluffy. If you want to decorate the cake with a spider web, dye ⅓ of the frosting black and save to cover the outside of the cake.
To make the spider web decoration, microwave 10-15 marshmallows, until sticky and gooey. Place your fingers into the goop, close together, and slowly pull your fingers apart, stretching the marshmallow into web shapes. Place gently on a cold, frosted cake. Enjoy!