Introduction to Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake

Welcome to the warm embrace of autumn baking! As the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, few treats capture the season’s spirit like Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake. It’s the kind of dessert that makes you want to curl up in a blanket with a cup of cider and a fork in hand.

This cake is a fall favorite for good reason. It’s rich, indulgent, and layered with comforting flavors—spiced pumpkin, buttery cake, and a luscious cream cheese frosting. The gooey center is what sets it apart: soft, custardy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Whether you’re baking for Thanksgiving, Halloween, or just a cozy weekend at home, this cake delivers seasonal joy in every bite. It’s easy to make, hard to resist, and guaranteed to become a staple in your autumn dessert lineup.

What Is Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake?

Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake is a festive twist on the classic gooey butter cake—a beloved dessert known for its rich, sticky texture and indulgent layers. This version swaps the traditional base for a spiced pumpkin cake, adding warmth and depth perfect for fall.

The cake is built in three irresistible layers. First, a soft and slightly dense cake base made from yellow cake mix, pumpkin puree, and vanilla. Next comes the gooey filling: a creamy blend of pumpkin, cream cheese, eggs, butter, and cozy spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Finally, it’s topped with a velvety cream cheese frosting that adds sweetness and tang.

Ideal for seasonal celebrations like Thanksgiving and Halloween, this cake also makes a comforting treat for chilly weekends. It’s simple to prepare, yet impressive enough to wow guests. One bite, and you’ll understand why it’s a fall essential.

Recipe Inspiration from Top Sources

Several trusted sources have perfected their own versions of Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake, each offering unique insights and flavor twists.

Optimal Recipes emphasizes the importance of balance—using just the right amount of pumpkin puree to keep the filling gooey without becoming overly wet. Their version includes a touch of clove for extra spice and recommends chilling the cake before slicing for clean, neat servings.

Spicedelish leans into bold autumn flavors, adding extra cinnamon and a hint of ginger to the filling. They also suggest using brown sugar in the frosting for a deeper, caramel-like sweetness. Their tip: whip the frosting until fluffy for a cloud-like finish.

Averie Cooks focuses on texture, ensuring the gooey layer stays soft and custardy. She recommends baking until the edges are set but the center still jiggles slightly—this guarantees that signature gooey bite. Averie also offers a dairy-free variation using plant-based cream cheese and butter.

Together, these sources provide a rich foundation for crafting your own perfect Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake—whether you prefer extra spice, a lighter frosting, or a gluten-free twist.

Ingredients Breakdown

Here’s what you’ll need to make this decadent fall dessert:

Cake Base

1 box yellow cake mix
1 large egg
½ cup melted butter
½ cup pumpkin puree
1 tsp vanilla extract

Gooey Filling

8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
¼ cup melted butter
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp ginger
2 cups powdered sugar

Frosting

4 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup butter
2 tbsp brown sugar
1½ cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Substitutions

Use a gluten-free cake mix for dietary needs
Swap in dairy-free cream cheese and butter for a vegan-friendly version
Replace raisins with dried cranberries or add chopped pecans for crunch

These ingredients come together to create a cake that’s gooey, spiced, and perfectly frosted—an autumn dream in every slice.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. Make the Cake Base In a mixing bowl, combine yellow cake mix, egg, melted butter, pumpkin puree, and vanilla. Stir until smooth. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

3. Prepare the Gooey Filling In another bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add eggs, pumpkin puree, melted butter, and spices. Mix until well combined. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until creamy.

4. Assemble & Bake Pour the gooey filling over the cake base. Spread evenly. Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center still jiggles slightly when shaken.

5. Cool Completely Let the cake cool in the pan at room temperature, then transfer to the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours. This helps the layers firm up and makes slicing easier.

6. Make the Frosting Beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add brown sugar, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Mix until smooth and creamy.

7. Frost & Serve Spread frosting generously over the chilled cake. Slice into squares and serve.

Bold tip: Chill the cake before slicing for cleaner cuts and better texture. It’s worth the wait!