Description
A soft, moist pumpkin cake swirled with buttery cinnamon sugar and topped with a sweet vanilla glaze. This dessert captures the comforting flavors of a pumpkin cinnamon roll in an easy cake form, making it perfect for fall brunches or a seasonal treat.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 1 cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ¾ cup milk
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves until uniformly combined.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the pumpkin purée, milk, melted unsalted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Make the batter: Gradually stir the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cake. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Create the cinnamon swirl: In a small bowl, mix together softened butter, packed brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and ground cinnamon to form a paste. Drop spoonfuls of this mixture over the cake batter, then use a knife to gently swirl the cinnamon mixture through the batter for a marbled effect.
- Bake the cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
- Make the glaze: While the cake is still warm, whisk together powdered sugar, milk (start with 2 tablespoons and add more as needed to reach desired consistency), and vanilla extract until smooth and drizzly.
- Glaze and serve: Drizzle the glaze evenly over the warm cake. Allow it to set slightly before slicing. Serve warm for the best cinnamon roll flavor experience.
Notes
- Serve warm to enjoy the cake with the authentic cinnamon roll flavor and soft texture.
- For added crunch and texture, incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts into the cinnamon swirl mixture before swirling it into the batter.
- Store leftover cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
