Traditional Pumpkin Harvest Cake

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 1 hour
🍽 Serves: 12
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This Traditional Pumpkin Harvest Cake is a delightful blend of warm spices and rich pumpkin flavors, perfect for autumn gatherings or cozy nights in. It's a simple yet satisfying recipe that brings the essence of fall straight to your kitchen.

Ingredients for Traditional Pumpkin Harvest Cake

The star of our show is, of course, pumpkin puree. It adds moisture and a rich, earthy flavor that screams fall. Next, the yellow cake mix simplifies the process and provides a nice, sweet base. The granulated sugar sweetens the deal, balancing out the spices. Speaking of spices, the combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves brings warmth and depth to the cake. The eggs help bind everything together, while the evaporated milk adds creaminess. Finally, melted butter gives a rich flavor and crispy top, and pecans, if you choose to use them, add a delightful crunch.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use a can of pure pumpkin puree, not the pre-spiced pie filling.
  • For a fluffier texture, try using a hand mixer for the wet ingredients.
  • If you want a slightly less sweet cake, reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup.

Serving Suggestions

This cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. For a special touch, drizzle some caramel sauce on top. It’s also delightful served with a cup of spiced chai tea or hot apple cider, accentuating those warm, autumnal notes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?
Yes, just make sure to puree it until smooth and measure the same amount as the canned.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
You can try using a gluten-free cake mix, but results may vary slightly.
How should I store leftovers?
Cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat slices in a warm oven or microwave before serving.

Traditional Pumpkin Harvest Cake Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s ready to go when you are. While it’s heating, take a moment to grease your 9x13 inch baking dish. This prevents sticking and makes for an easy cleanup later.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the pumpkin puree, sugar, and all those wonderful spices together. Once it’s smooth, crack in the eggs and mix until everything is well combined. Gradually pour in the evaporated milk, stirring until your batter is nice and smooth.

Pour this fragrant pumpkin mixture into your prepared baking dish. Now, sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the top. This might seem unusual, but trust me, it all works out in the oven.

Drizzle the melted butter over the top. This will help create a golden, slightly crispy top. If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle some pecans over the butter for extra texture and flavor.

Place it in your preheated oven and let it bake for 50-60 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Once baked, let it cool before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Effortless to make with just a few simple steps.
  • Packed with comforting fall flavors like cinnamon and nutmeg.
  • Moist and tender texture, thanks to the pumpkin puree.
  • Minimal prep time — just mix, pour, and bake.
  • Versatile enough for a weeknight dessert or a holiday centerpiece.

Ingredients

1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
3 large eggs
1 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and eggs until smooth.
3. Gradually mix in the evaporated milk until well combined.
4. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the prepared baking dish.
5. Evenly sprinkle the dry cake mix over the pumpkin mixture.
6. Drizzle the melted butter over the top and sprinkle with pecans if using.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Allow to cool before serving.

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