Pumpkin Butter Cake
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This Pumpkin Butter Cake is autumn baked into a pan—moist, warmly spiced, and finished with a buttery cinnamon-sugar crust that shatters gently with each bite. Unlike heavy loaves or elaborate layer cakes, this one-bowl, one-pan recipe is pure comfort made simple. Real pumpkin purée brings depth, sour cream adds tenderness, and a swirl of brown sugar and spice transforms into a gooey, golden topping as it bakes.
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Perfect for brunch, dessert, or a quiet evening treat with a mug of cider, this cake captures the soul of the season without fuss. It’s the kind of bake that makes your kitchen smell like a pumpkin patch and tastes like home.
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Pumpkin Butter Cake
📝 Ingredients
For the Cake
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 1½ cups |
| Baking powder | 1½ tsp |
| Baking soda | ½ tsp |
| Salt | ½ tsp |
| Pumpkin pie spice | 2 tsp |
| Unsalted butter, softened | ½ cup (1 stick) |
| Granulated sugar | ¾ cup |
| Light brown sugar, packed | ½ cup |
| Eggs, room temperature | 2 large |
| Pumpkin purée (not pie filling) | 1 cup |
| Sour cream or Greek yogurt | ¼ cup |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tsp |
For the Cinnamon-Sugar Topping
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Light brown sugar, packed | ¼ cup |
| Ground cinnamon | 1½ tsp |
| Unsalted butter, melted | 2 tbsp |
| Pecans or walnuts, chopped (optional) | 2 tbsp |
🎃 Pumpkin Tip: Always use 100% pure pumpkin purée. Pumpkin pie filling contains added sugar and spices that disrupt the balance.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep & Preheat
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line with parchment.
- Make the Cake Batter
- In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
- In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, then mix in pumpkin, sour cream, and vanilla until smooth.
- Gradually add dry ingredients, mixing just until combined—avoid overmixing.
- Add the Topping
- Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, cinnamon, melted butter, and nuts (if using).
- Sprinkle evenly over the batter—do not stir.
- Bake to Perfection
- Bake 35–40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- The top should be golden with a crisp crust.
- Cool at least 20 minutes before slicing to allow the topping to set.
🍴 Tips for Cake Perfection
- Use room-temperature eggs for a smoother batter.
- Don’t skip the sour cream—it keeps the cake moist without heaviness.
- Chill the topping slightly before sprinkling—it sinks into the batter, creating a marbled, gooey layer.
- Double the topping if you crave extra crunch and spice.
- Make ahead: Cake stays fresh for 3–4 days at room temperature when covered.
