The Ultimate Moist Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Indulge in the comforting flavors of autumn with this incredible Pumpkin Bundt Cake. This recipe delivers a truly delightful blend of warm spices, all crowned with a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting. Beyond its impressive presentation, this cake is remarkably moist, intensely flavorful, and surprisingly simple to prepare, making it a perfect dessert for any occasion, especially during the fall and holiday seasons.

If you’re a devoted fan of Pumpkin Dessert Recipes, this Bundt cake is an absolute must-try. Each slice offers a rich, deep pumpkin flavor that beautifully harmonizes with classic fall spices. The dense yet tender crumb ensures every bite is packed with that unmistakable pumpkin goodness, while the silky cream cheese frosting adds a bright, creamy counterpoint that elevates the entire experience.

I find myself making pumpkin desserts year-round because the flavor is just that good! Besides this fantastic Bundt cake, some of my other favorites include a delicious Pumpkin Bread Recipe and our chewy Pumpkin Bars Recipe. For individual servings, these Pumpkin Cupcakes are also a huge hit!

If you appreciate the elegance and ease of Bundt cakes, you might also enjoy our Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe, the vibrant Blueberry Bundt Cake, the classic 7 Up Cake, and our festive Christmas Bundt Cake. And for those who can’t get enough chocolate, our unique Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake is surprisingly moist and utterly decadent.

Why We Love This Cake

There are countless reasons why this Pumpkin Bundt Cake has become a seasonal staple and a year-round favorite. Its perfect balance of simplicity and sophistication makes it a go-to recipe for home bakers:

• Stunning Presentation: The unique shape of a Bundt pan effortlessly transforms a simple cake into a beautiful centerpiece. It always looks elegant on any dessert table, requiring minimal decoration beyond the frosting.
• Effortlessly Simple: Despite its impressive appearance and rich flavor, this recipe is incredibly straightforward. It uses common pantry ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, making it accessible even for beginner bakers. You don’t need advanced baking skills to achieve a perfect result.
• Unforgettable Flavor Profile: This cake boasts the perfect marriage of sweet pumpkin and a symphony of warm spices. It’s deeply flavorful, comforting, and instantly evokes the cozy feeling of autumn. The rich pumpkin taste is enhanced by notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, creating a truly irresistible experience.
• Incredibly Moist Texture: Thanks to the generous amount of pumpkin puree and the careful balance of wet and dry ingredients, this Bundt cake stays wonderfully moist and tender for days. It’s never dry or crumbly, maintaining its delightful texture with every slice.
• Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual family gathering, a festive holiday meal, or a cozy afternoon tea, this pumpkin bundt cake fits right in. It’s hearty enough for a celebration but easy enough for an everyday treat.

Essential Ingredients

Creating this magnificent Pumpkin Bundt Cake starts with a few key ingredients. Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature for the best results, especially butter and cream cheese for a smooth batter and frosting.

For the Moist Pumpkin Bundt Cake

• Salted Butter: Ensure it’s softened to room temperature. This helps it cream easily with sugar, incorporating air for a light texture. If you only have unsalted butter, simply add an additional ½ teaspoon of salt to the dry ingredients.
• White Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a tender crumb when creamed with butter.
• Large Eggs: Act as a binder, add richness, and contribute to the cake’s structure and moisture. Make sure they are at room temperature.
• Whole Milk: Adds moisture and richness to the cake batter, contributing to its soft and tender texture. Room temperature milk mixes more evenly.
• Pumpkin Purée: The star ingredient! Use plain pumpkin purée, NOT pumpkin pie filling, which contains added spices and sugar that would alter the recipe’s balance. It provides moisture, flavor, and a beautiful color.
• Baking Soda: A leavening agent that reacts with acidic ingredients (like pumpkin) to help the cake rise and create a tender texture. For substitutes, see our guide on Best Baking Soda Substitutes.
• Baking Powder: Another leavening agent that works to give the cake an extra lift, resulting in a light and airy crumb.
• Pumpkin Spice: The key to those signature fall flavors. A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves (or allspice). You can make your own if you don’t have a pre-made mix (see Pro Tips).
• All-Purpose Flour: The structural base of the cake. For the most accurate measurement, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge, rather than scooping directly from the bag, which can compact it and lead to a dense cake.

For the Luscious Cream Cheese Frosting

• Powdered Sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar): Provides sweetness and ensures a smooth, lump-free frosting. Sifting it before using is highly recommended to prevent any grittiness.
• Block Cream Cheese: Use full-fat, block-style cream cheese, not the spreadable tub variety, which has a higher water content. Ensure it’s at room temperature for a truly smooth and creamy frosting without any clumps.

You can find the complete, detailed list of ingredients with exact measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Delicious Variations

While this Pumpkin Bundt Cake is perfect as is, you can easily customize it with a few additions to suit your taste or occasion:

• Chocolate Enthusiast: For a delightful twist, fold 1 cup of mini chocolate chips or regular chocolate chips into the batter just before pouring it into the Bundt pan. The combination of pumpkin and chocolate is surprisingly delicious.
• Nutty Crunch: Add texture and a rich, earthy flavor by sprinkling ½ to 1 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts over the top of the cream cheese frosting before it fully sets. You can also fold them into the cake batter for an extra crunch in every bite.
• Caramel Drizzle: After applying the cream cheese frosting, add a decadent caramel drizzle over the top. You can use store-bought caramel sauce or make your own for an extra layer of sweetness and flavor.
• Streusel Topping: For an added crumbly texture, prepare a simple streusel topping (butter, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon) and sprinkle half of it into the greased Bundt pan before adding the batter. You can also add some on top of the batter before baking for a crunchy top layer.
• Spiced Glaze: Instead of cream cheese frosting, consider a simple spiced glaze made with powdered sugar, a touch of milk, and extra pumpkin pie spice for a lighter finish.

Step-by-Step Baking Instructions

Follow these detailed steps to create your perfect Pumpkin Bundt Cake. Precision in baking ensures the best results!

• Step 1. Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when the cake goes in, promoting even baking.

Step 2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment to cream together the softened salted butter and white granulated sugar. Beat on medium-high speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, typically 3-5 minutes. This step incorporates air, which is crucial for a tender cake.

Step 3. Incorporate Eggs: Once the butter and sugar mixture is light and fluffy, whisk in the large eggs one at a time on high speed. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Continue mixing until the batter is smooth and well combined.

Step 4. Add Wet Ingredients: Pour the whole milk and the plain pumpkin purée into the mixing bowl with the creamed butter, sugar, and eggs. Mix on medium speed until all the wet ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture is homogeneous. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well incorporated.

Step 5. Gently Fold in Dry Ingredients: Reduce the speed of your hand mixer to low. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and pumpkin spice to the wet mixture. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tough, dense cake. Stop mixing as soon as no dry streaks of flour remain.

Step 6. Bake the Cake: Prepare a 10-inch Bundt pan by thoroughly greasing it with butter or a baking spray that contains flour. Pour the prepared cake batter evenly into the pan. Bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes. This crucial cooling time helps the cake firm up and prevents it from sticking or breaking when inverted.

Step 7. Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting: While the cake is cooling, make the delicious cream cheese frosting. In a clean mixing bowl, combine the sifted powdered sugar and room temperature block cream cheese. Beat with an electric mixer until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and free of lumps. Add a splash of milk if needed to achieve your desired consistency.

Step 8. Frost the Cake: After the cake has cooled sufficiently in the pan, carefully invert it onto a wire rack or serving platter. Ensure the cake is completely cool before frosting. Once cooled, use a piping bag or an offset spatula to generously drizzle or spread the cream cheese frosting over the Bundt cake. Let some frosting elegantly drip down the sides for a beautiful finish.

Step 9. Slice and Serve: Once the frosting is set (or immediately, if you can’t wait!), slice the Pumpkin Bundt Cake and serve. Enjoy this moist, flavorful dessert with family and friends!

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Proper storage is essential to keep your Pumpkin Bundt Cake fresh and delicious, especially with the cream cheese frosting:

• Room Temperature vs. Refrigerated: This cake can be served either at room temperature or chilled. However, due to the cream cheese frosting, the cake should not be left on the counter for more than 2 hours. For longer storage, it must be kept in the refrigerator.
• Refrigeration: Store the cooled and frosted cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. An airtight container will prevent the cake from drying out and absorbing other odors from the fridge. You can also cover it tightly with plastic wrap.
• Freezing Instructions:
  • Unfrosted Cake: Allow the baked cake to cool completely. Wrap it tightly in several layers of plastic wrap, then an additional layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting and serving.
  • Frosted Cake (Not Recommended for Long Term): While you can freeze slices of frosted cake wrapped well, the texture of the cream cheese frosting might change slightly upon thawing. It’s best to freeze the unfrosted cake and then make fresh frosting when you’re ready to serve.
• Serving from Cold: If serving from the refrigerator, let the cake sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before slicing. This allows the frosting to soften slightly and the cake’s flavors to become more pronounced.

Pro Baking Tips for Success

Achieve a perfect Pumpkin Bundt Cake every time with these expert tips:

• Homemade Pumpkin Spice: No pumpkin pie spice on hand? No problem! You can easily make your own. Simply whisk together 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, ½ teaspoon of ground cloves, and ½ teaspoon of ground nutmeg. This blend will infuse your cake with incredible warmth and aroma.
• Crucial Cooling Time: It is paramount to allow your cake ample time to cool in the pan before attempting to remove it. Cooling helps the cake structure to set and prevents it from cracking, crumbling, or sticking when you invert it. Additionally, ensure the cake is completely cool before frosting; otherwise, the frosting will melt and run right off, creating a sticky mess.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: For both the cake batter and the frosting, using room temperature ingredients is key. Softened butter and cream cheese will cream smoothly, incorporating air more efficiently for a light cake and a lump-free, creamy frosting. Cold cream cheese, especially, will be difficult to combine and may result in a lumpy frosting. Plan ahead and take these ingredients out of the refrigerator 30-60 minutes before you start baking.
• Achieving Perfect Frosting Consistency: If your cream cheese frosting is too thick, gradually add small amounts (start with a teaspoon) of whole milk, half and half, or even heavy cream until you reach your desired drizzly or spreadable consistency. If it’s too thin, sift in a little more powdered sugar. The milk helps keep the frosting smooth and can adjust its richness.
• Butter Variations: If you only have unsalted butter, remember to add two extra teaspoons of salt to your cake batter to balance the flavors. To quickly soften butter, you can leave it on the counter for about 30 minutes, or microwave it on a low setting (20-30% power) for short bursts of 10-15 seconds, flipping it between each burst, until just softened but not melted.
• Avoid Overmixing: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix only until they are just combined and no streaks of flour are visible. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to a tough, dense, and less fluffy cake. Use a low speed on your mixer and stop as soon as it’s incorporated.
• Thorough Pan Preparation: Bundt cakes are notorious for sticking if the pan isn’t properly prepared. Don’t be shy with the butter or baking spray! Apply a generous and even layer of softened butter into every crevice of the Bundt pan, then dust it lightly with flour, tapping out any excess. Alternatively, a baking spray specifically designed for baking (which contains flour) works wonders. You can also create a DIY flour slurry with two parts melted butter and one part flour for an excellent non-stick coating, though it might leave a slight discoloration on the cake’s exterior.

Frequently Asked Questions

You are truly going to cherish this Pumpkin Bundt Cake recipe. Its irresistible flavors and tender texture make it a dessert you’ll want to bake again and again. Make it today and share your thoughts in the comments below!