Yes. I am one of those people who just can’t get enough pumpkin. While I don’t drive to Starbucks to sate my craving, I do savor the dollop of pumpkin spice creamer I pour into my home-brewed coffee each fall morning. (Sorry, I can’t fathom driving and waiting in a line before I’ve had a cup of coffee.)
In my semi-homemade world, I go big on pumpkin in October and November. Besides store bought pumpkin coffee creamers, bagels, and cream cheese, I make pumpkin muffins, breads, pies, and CAKES.
Craving something chock full of fall flavors? Try this super easy pumpkin spice cake. It’s so simple your kids could make it. Seriously. (And you’re kind of sneaking in a helping of fruits/veggies!)
Pumpkin cakes come out moist and slightly dense, so I prefer to bake them in a 9 x 13 pan. And this frosting—yum. It’s much better if you use real maple syrup (Aunt Jemima won’t cut it here).
Easy Pumpkin Spice Cake
1 (18.25 oz) box spice cake mix
1 (1 lb) can pumpkin
3 eggs
3 tablespoons Grand Marnier (or orange juice)
3 tablespoons water
- Preheat oven at 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Beat at low speed with an electric mixer for 30 seconds (or until just blended), then on high for 2 minutes.
- Pour batter into greased (bottom only) 9 x 13 pan. Bake 30-35 minutes (check bake time on cake mix box).
- Cool. Frost with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting.
Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
1/4 cup butter
1 (8 oz) package neufchatel or cream cheese
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
4 cups powdered sugar
- In large bowl, blend butter and cream cheese with a mixer on low speed. Add maple syrup; blend well.
- Add powdered sugar slowly. Beat well after each addition so it doesn’t fly everywhere.
- Ice & enjoy!
That’s it! Told you it was easy! Perfect for holiday potlucks and gatherings.
Cheers!
**this recipe is based on one from Quick Fixes with Mixes by Lia Roessner Wilson
Want some more pumpkin recipes? Check out:
Pumpkin Pineapple Snack Muffins (my kiddo’s fav snack!)
Friend, you are speaking my language. I’m on it!
Katherine Scott Jones recently posted…Someone Else’s Love Story, book review
Tried it! Love it! New family fave. Thank you! 🙂
Katherine Scott Jones recently posted…The Partner Track, book review
P.S. Have you discovered the Pumpkin Spice Rooibos tea at Trader Joe’s? Comes in such a cute little tin, too.
Katherine Scott Jones recently posted…Someone Else’s Love Story, book review
Would you believe we have no Trader Joe’s here? I keep hearing rumors that they’re expanding in Florida—I can’t wait to visit one (and test out their Three Buck Chuck). Pumpkin Spice tea would make me giddy—sounds better than my favorite gingerbread spice!
As someone who loves everything pumpkin I am game for this. Trader Joes has a pecan pie ice cream I am going to have to try. I picked up some of their pumpkin cream cheese this week.
Pecan pie ice cream? That sounds like heaven. I need a Trader Joes’s. I’ve been blissing out on pumpkin ice cream (yes, it’s good on top of this cake–or anything…)
I surrender! You said “pumpkin” and “maple” in the same sentence. I’m sold!!! Sometimes starting with a box mix makes life easy.
Beth F recently posted…Weekend Cooking: The New Wine Country Cookbook by Brigit Binns
I’ve never made maple cream cheese frosting, it sounds fantastic.
Diane (bookchickdi) recently posted…Francois Payard at the 92nd St. Y
Since my daughter is taking a cooking class in high school, I’m positive she could make this. As a fellow pumpkin fanatic I have to tell you I bought pumpkin spice kefir last night. It is orange, but tasted more like egg nog – a sour version of egg nog. Bummer.
Janel @ Creating Tasty Stories recently posted…Slow Cooker White Bean & Ham Soup
You are one brave woman! I keep spying kefir in the store, but I’ve yet to give it a try. I think I’ll skip it this year.
This cake looks delicious. We don’t get canned pumpkin here – in my part of the world we have to cook pumpkin from scratch, but this looks as though it would be worth it.
Couscous & Consciousness recently posted…Prawn & Chilli Pot-Sticker Dumplings
Pumpkin is certainly the flavor at this time of year!. I am always up for trying new things with pumpkin.
betti recently posted…Weekend Cooking with…Woman and Home
This looks decadently delicious, had to share it on twitter. I am with you, can’t get enough pumpkin!
Thanks for your nice comment on my foodie blog (Squirrel Head Manor)!
Tina recently posted…The Dinner by Herman Koch
This has my name all over it! I’m a huge pumpkin fan, but add maple too and it’s irresistible.
JoAnn @ Lakeside Musing recently posted…Weekend Cooking: Pumpkin Oatmeal in the Crockpot
The maple cream cheese frosting sounds heavenly! My daughter would love to make this.
Michelle recently posted…Weekend Cooking; Working it all in.
Gosh, this sounds delicious!
I’ve been using this recipe (http://estrella05azul.wordpress.com/2010/11/07/recipe-of-the-month-easy-pumpkin-sheet-cake) for an easy pumpkin sheet cake and was wondering what to add to make it even more interesting. This Maple Cream Cheese Frosting looks like the perfect fit, I’ll have to try it next time I bake this.
Estrella Azul recently posted…Recipe of the Month: Cinnamon Rolls
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big wheels for kids recently posted…big wheels for kids
this pumpkin recipe seems to be delicious