Name: Autumn's Golden Crown: Spiced Pumpkin Dream Cake with Luscious Salted Caramel Swirl & Cloud-Like Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: For the Spiced Pumpkin Cake:; 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar; 1/2 cup (120ml) neutral oil (like canola or vegetable); 1 cup (240g) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling); 2 large eggs; 1/4 cup (60ml) milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; For the Salted Caramel Sauce:; 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar; 1/4 cup (60ml) water; 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream, warmed; 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, cut into cubes; 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes (or 1/2 tsp fine sea salt); For the Cream Cheese Frosting:; 8 ounces (226g) cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened; 3-4 cups (360-480g) powdered sugar, sifted; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Pinch of salt

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As the leaves begin their vibrant transformation and a crisp coolness fills the air, there’s an undeniable pull towards comforting, spice-infused flavors. And what better way to celebrate the season than with a truly magnificent dessert? Introducing Autumn’s Golden Crown: Spiced Pumpkin Dream Cake with Luscious Salted Caramel Swirl & Cloud-Like Cream Cheese Frosting – a showstopper that promises to enchant your senses. This recipe delivers a perfectly balanced symphony of tender, warmly spiced pumpkin cake, a decadent homemade salted caramel, and a ethereal cream cheese frosting. It’s not just a cake; it’s an experience, a golden embrace of autumn that culminates in every unforgettable bite. Get ready to elevate your dessert game with this truly special Spiced Pumpkin Cake with Salted Caramel.

Why You’ll Love This Spiced Pumpkin Cake with Salted Caramel

This isn’t just another pumpkin cake; it’s a culinary masterpiece designed to impress and delight. Here’s why Autumn’s Golden Crown will quickly become your favorite seasonal bake:

Unrivaled Flavor Profile: Each element is carefully crafted to complement the others. The cake itself is incredibly moist, deeply flavored with real pumpkin and a harmonious blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. This warm, inviting base sets the stage for the true stars.
Decadent Salted Caramel: Forget store-bought! Our homemade salted caramel is pure liquid gold – rich, buttery, with that perfect kiss of sea salt to cut through the sweetness. It’s truly luscious and adds an irresistible layer of complexity.
Cloud-Like Cream Cheese Frosting: The tangy, light, and fluffy cream cheese frosting provides the perfect counterpoint to the rich cake and caramel. It’s smooth, not overly sweet, and melts in your mouth.
A Feast for the Eyes: Beyond its incredible taste, this cake is an absolute showstopper. With caramel drizzling down its sides and a generous frosting crown, it looks as good as it tastes, making it perfect for holiday tables, special gatherings, or a luxurious weekend treat. If you enjoy creating stunning desserts, you might also appreciate this elegant No-Bake Chocolate Orange Cheesecake.
Perfect Texture Combination: From the tender crumb of the cake to the gooey caramel and the silky frosting, every bite offers a delightful interplay of textures.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Ingredients for Autumn's Golden Crown: Spiced Pumpkin Dream Cake with Luscious Salted Caramel Swirl & Cloud-Like Cream Cheese Frosting

Creating this dream cake involves three distinct, yet harmonious, components. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and some helpful notes:

For the Spiced Pumpkin Cake:

All-Purpose Flour: The foundation. For best results, measure by weight (250g) if possible.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Leavening agents that give the cake its tender rise.
Warm Spices (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, Ginger): The heart of the autumn flavor. Adjust quantities to your preference, but this blend offers a classic, comforting profile.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors.
Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and moisture.
Neutral Oil (Canola or Vegetable): Keeps the cake incredibly moist. Butter can also be used, but oil often results in a more tender crumb for pumpkin cakes.
Pumpkin Puree (not pumpkin pie filling!): This is crucial. Ensure you’re using 100% pure pumpkin. Pumpkin pie filling contains added spices and sugar, which will throw off the recipe. For another delicious recipe using pumpkin, check out these delightful Pumpkin Carrot Cookies.
Large Eggs: Binds the ingredients and adds richness.
Milk: Adds moisture. Any dairy or non-dairy milk can be used.
Vanilla Extract: A universal flavor enhancer.

For the Salted Caramel Sauce:

Granulated Sugar & Water: Form the base of the caramel.
Heavy Cream, warmed: Adding warm cream prevents the caramel from seizing.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and silkiness.
Sea Salt Flakes: Essential for that perfect salty-sweet balance. Fine sea salt can be substituted, using half the amount.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

Cream Cheese, softened: Use full-fat block cream cheese for the best texture and flavor. Ensure it’s truly softened to avoid lumps.
Unsalted Butter, softened: Again, softened butter is key for a smooth, fluffy frosting.
Powdered Sugar, sifted: Sifting prevents lumps and ensures a smooth frosting. Adjust quantity to achieve desired sweetness and consistency.
Vanilla Extract & Pinch of Salt: Enhance the frosting’s flavor.

How to Make Autumn’s Golden Crown: Spiced Pumpkin Dream Cake

Crafting this magnificent cake is a rewarding process. Follow these steps carefully for a truly spectacular result.

Step 1: Prepare the Spiced Pumpkin Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by greasing and flouring them, or lining them with parchment paper for easy release.
In a large bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients for the cake: flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and salt. Set this aside.
In a separate large bowl, combine the granulated sugar and neutral oil, beating until well combined.
Add the pumpkin puree, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract to the sugar and oil mixture. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined. It’s crucial not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cake.
Divide the batter evenly between your prepared cake pans.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for 10-15 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely. This is very important – do not frost warm cakes!

Step 2: Craft the Luscious Salted Caramel Sauce

In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and water. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring gently just until the sugar dissolves.
Once the mixture is boiling, stop stirring. Allow it to cook undisturbed until it transforms into a deep amber color. This process can take 5-10 minutes. Watch it closely to prevent burning.
Immediately and very carefully pour the warmed heavy cream into the hot caramel. Be prepared for it to bubble up vigorously. Whisk continuously until the mixture is smooth.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the cubed unsalted butter and sea salt until everything is completely melted and combined.
Pour the finished caramel into a heatproof jar or bowl and let it cool completely. It will thicken considerably as it cools.

Step 3: Whip Up the Cloud-Like Cream Cheese Frosting

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and softened unsalted butter together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until smooth after each addition.
Mix in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Continue to beat until the frosting is fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
If the frosting seems too thick, you can add a tiny splash of milk. If it’s too thin, incorporate a bit more powdered sugar until it reaches your desired consistency.

Step 4: Assembly – Autumn’s Golden Crown

Once your cake layers are completely cool, place one layer on your chosen serving plate or cake stand.
Spread approximately one-third of the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top of this first cake layer.
Generously drizzle the cooled salted caramel sauce over the frosting. You might want to reserve some caramel for the very top and for serving alongside.
Carefully place the second cake layer on top.
Use the remaining cream cheese frosting to cover the entire cake, frosting both the top and sides.
For that beautiful “golden crown” finish, decorate the top with additional salted caramel drizzle, allowing some of it to gracefully drip down the sides of the cake.
Serve your Autumn’s Golden Crown immediately, or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.

Tips for Success

Room Temperature Ingredients: This is paramount for the cream cheese frosting. Softened butter and cream cheese emulsify properly, creating a smooth, lump-free, and fluffy frosting.
Don’t Overmix the Cake Batter: Overmixing develops gluten, leading to a dense, tough cake. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined.
Cool Cakes Completely: Attempting to frost warm cakes will result in melted, messy frosting. Patience is key!
Caramel Caution: Making caramel requires attention. Do not stir the sugar and water mixture once it boils to prevent crystallization. Watch the color carefully – it can go from perfect amber to burnt in seconds.
Warm Cream for Caramel: Adding warmed cream to hot caramel reduces the temperature shock, making it less likely to seize.
Sift Powdered Sugar: This simple step ensures a super smooth, lump-free cream cheese frosting.
Adjust Frosting Consistency: Don’t be afraid to adjust the frosting with a tiny bit of milk or extra powdered sugar to get it just right for spreading.

Serving Suggestions

Autumn’s Golden Crown is a showstopper on its own, but a few thoughtful additions can elevate the experience:

Serve slices with an extra drizzle of the luscious salted caramel sauce for those who want an even richer experience.
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a pinch of ground cinnamon on top of each slice adds a professional touch and enhances flavor.
For an added crunch and nutty flavor, garnish with finely chopped pecans or walnuts.
Pair with a hot cup of coffee, a comforting tea, or a glass of cold milk.
For a truly indulgent dessert, a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream alongside is divine.

Storage & Reheating

Cake Storage: Due to the cream cheese frosting, leftover cake should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Serving Temperature: For the best flavor and texture, allow the cake to come to room temperature for about 30-60 minutes before serving.
Caramel Sauce Storage: The homemade salted caramel sauce can be made up to a week in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Gently rewarm it in the microwave or a small saucepan over low heat until it’s pourable again before drizzling.

FAQ

Q: Can I use store-bought pumpkin pie spice instead of individual spices?

A: Yes, you can! Use 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice in place of the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger listed in the recipe.

Q: My caramel seized when I added the cream. What went wrong?

A: This often happens if the heavy cream is too cold, causing a sudden temperature drop. Ensure your cream is warmed before adding it to the hot caramel. It can also happen if the sugar mixture wasn’t heated to a high enough temperature initially, or if you stirred it too much once it was boiling.

Q: Can I make the cake layers ahead of time?

A: Absolutely! The cake layers can be baked a day in advance. Once completely cool, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature. You can also make the salted caramel sauce ahead of time as noted in the storage section.

Q: My cream cheese frosting is too runny/too stiff. How can I fix it?

A: If your frosting is too runny, gradually add more sifted powdered sugar until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too stiff, add a tiny splash of milk (about half a teaspoon at a time) and beat until it loosens up. Ensure your cream cheese and butter were properly softened to start with.

Q: Can I make this a sheet cake instead of a layer cake?

A: Yes, you can! You could bake the batter in a 9×13 inch baking pan. The baking time might need to be adjusted; start checking for doneness around 30-35 minutes. Once cooled, you can frost and drizzle the caramel over the single layer.

Autumn’s Golden Crown is more than just a dessert; it’s a celebration of the season, a testament to the joy of baking, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The combination of moist, spiced pumpkin cake, luxurious salted caramel, and tangy cream cheese frosting is simply irresistible. Whether you’re gathering with loved ones for the holidays or simply indulging in a decadent weekend treat, this cake promises to deliver pure culinary bliss. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and prepare to be enchanted by every glorious bite of this Spiced Pumpkin Cake with Salted Caramel.

Autumn’s Golden Crown: Spiced Pumpkin Cake Perfection with Salted Caramel