Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake Recipe

Few desserts promise and deliver the kind of soul-warming comfort that this Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake does. Imagine the best parts of a chewy brownie, a spiced pumpkin pie, and a buttery cake all merging into one decadent, impossibly moist slice. This is the quintessential fall dessert, a showstopper for Thanksgiving, but so simple you’ll want to make it every weekend from September through December. The magic of this cake lies in its two distinct layers: a dense, spiced cake base and a rich, creamy, “gooey” top that melts in your mouth.

Yield: 1 (9×13 inch) cake, about 15 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 40-45 minutes
Cooling Time: 1-2 hours (if you can wait!)
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour, plus cooling

Intensity: Easy. This is a beginner-friendly recipe that requires no special skills or equipment—just a good mixer and a few bowls.

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Ingredients

For the Cake Base:

• 1 box (15.25 oz) Spice Cake Mix

• ½ cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter, melted

• 1 large egg, at room temperature

For the Gooey Pumpkin Topping:

• 1 can (15 oz) pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

• 1 package (8 oz) full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature

• 3 large eggs, at room temperature

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• ½ cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter, melted

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger

• ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves

• 1 pinch of salt

• 1 box (16 oz) confectioners’ sugar

For Serving (Optional):

• Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

• An extra dusting of confectioners’ sugar or cinnamon

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish thoroughly with butter or non-stick cooking spray. For easiest removal, you can also line the pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on two sides.

Step 2: Make the Cake Base

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the dry spice cake mix, the melted butter, and one egg. Use a hand mixer (or a sturdy wooden spoon) to beat the ingredients on medium speed until a thick, soft dough forms. It will have a consistency similar to cookie dough. Transfer this dough to your prepared baking dish and, using clean or lightly greased hands, press it firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan to create a uniform crust layer.

Step 3: Create the Gooey Pumpkin Topping

This is where the magic happens. In a large mixing bowl (you can use the same one, just wiped clean), beat the softened cream cheese on medium speed until it is completely smooth and free of lumps. This is a crucial step for a silky topping.

Add the pumpkin puree, three eggs, and vanilla extract to the cream cheese. Beat again until the mixture is well combined and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure everything is incorporated.

With the mixer on low speed, gradually pour in the melted butter, followed by the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and pinch of salt. Mix until the spices are fully blended in.

Finally, it’s time for the sugar. Gradually add the entire box of confectioners’ sugar to the bowl, mixing on low speed until just combined after each addition. Once all the sugar is in, scrape down the bowl one last time and mix for another 30 seconds on medium speed until the filling is smooth, creamy, and homogenous. It will be quite liquid, and that’s exactly what you want.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Pour the entire pumpkin gooey filling mixture over the top of the pressed cake base in the pan. Use a spatula to gently spread it into an even layer, ensuring it covers the entire base and reaches the edges of the pan.

Place the pan in the center of your preheated oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes. The cake is done when the edges are puffed and have started to pull slightly away from the sides of the pan. The top will be lightly golden, but the center will still have a significant jiggle—this is the “gooey” you’re looking for! It should not be liquid, but it should wobble like set Jell-O. Do not overbake, as this will firm up the gooey center.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Remove the cake from the oven and place the pan on a wire cooling rack. Allow it to cool completely in the pan, for at least 1-2 hours. As it cools, the center will set further into its signature gooey, custard-like texture.

For the cleanest slices, you can chill the cake in the refrigerator for an hour after it has cooled to room temperature. When ready to serve, slice into squares. For the ultimate experience, top each warm or room-temperature slice with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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Notes & Tips for the Perfect Gooey Cake

• Room Temperature is Key: Using room temperature cream cheese, eggs, and butter is non-negotiable for a smooth, lump-free filling. Cold ingredients will not incorporate properly and can lead to a grainy texture.

• Don’t Skimp on the Spices: If you’re a spice lover, feel free to add an extra ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. The spice from the cake mix and the added spices in the filling create a beautiful, complex flavor.

• The Jiggle Test: Trust the jiggle, not a toothpick. Inserting a toothpick will not come out clean; it will come out with moist crumbs attached. If the edges are puffed and golden and the center jiggles as one unit, it’s done.

• Storage: Store any leftovers covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The texture is fantastic cold, but you can also let a slice come to room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.

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Nutrition Information

Please note: The following is an approximate calculation based on the ingredients used and can vary based on specific brands and portion sizes. This is a rich dessert best enjoyed in moderation.

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/15 of the recipe)
Calories: ~485
Total Fat: 22g

• Saturated Fat: 13g
  Cholesterol: 105mg
  Sodium: ~320mg
  Total Carbohydrates: 69g

• Dietary Fiber: 1g

• Total Sugars: 56g
  Protein: 5g

This Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. The contrast between the firm, spiced base and the luxuriously soft, melt-in-your-mouth pumpkin topping is a textural masterpiece. It’s the perfect treat to share with loved ones, filling your kitchen with the unmistakable, comforting aroma of autumn. Save this recipe, because after one bite, it will become a permanent fixture in your seasonal baking rotation.