Easy Pumpkin Spice Cake with Brown Butter Glaze

By Elizabeth Waterson // Nov 4, 2023 (Updated Oct 27, 2025) // Leave a Comment

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This Pumpkin Spice Cake is packed with pumpkin's natural moisture and the warm flavors of pumpkin-pie spice. It's an easy dessert that comes together without fuss-perfect for fall gatherings. Topped with a brown-butter glaze, this cake delivers cozy aroma and satisfying texture in every bite.

slice of pumpkin spice cake on a white plate on a light grey surface with an orange linen.

Every autumn season I fall in love over and over again with pumpkin. Pumpkin has actually quite a neutral flavor but it provides an intense level of moisture to baked goods. The warm fall spices in pumpkin pie spice give that iconic fall flavor we all know and love. One of my favorite ways to enjoy pumpkin is in cake form. For a party I love this pumpkin bundt cake or this pumpkin layer cake. For a simple, Saturday afternoon bake I like something a little more simple and easier, so this pumpkin spice cake was born.

pumpkin snack cake cut into squares on a light grey surface with pumpkin and orange linen.

The Hero Flavors Behind This Dessert

Pumpkin Puree - adds moisture and a subtle flavor base that lets the spices shine.
Sugar (Granulated + Light Brown) - sweetens and gives a deeper caramel note.
Oil + Eggs + Vanilla - keep the crumb tender and rich without being dense.
Flour + Baking Powder/Soda + Salt + Pumpkin Pie Spice - form the structure and deliver the classic warm spice mix.
Brown Butter Glaze (Butter, Cream, Confectioners' Sugar, Vanilla Bean Paste) - finished on top for added richness and flavor highlight.

A handful or two of mini chocolate chips would be a great addition.

ingredients for pumpkin spice cake in small bowls on a light grey surface.

For ingredient quantities please reference the recipe card below. On the recipe card there is a button for US or M (Metric) measurements.

Batter, Bake & Finish with Brown-Butter

wet ingredients mixed together in a glass bowl in a glass bowl on a light grey surface with an orange linen. — In a large mixing bowl add the pumpkin puree, sugars, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until fully combined.

dry ingredients sifted into a bowl then mixed together in a glass bowl on a light grey surface with an orange linen. — Sift in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Using a rubber spatula and gently fold into wet ingredients, mix until just combined.

pumpkin spice cake before and after baking on a light grey surface. — Pour the pumpkin snack cake batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake then cool on a wire rack.

brown butter frosting ingredients mixed together in a small glass bowl on a light grey surface. — Pour brown butter in a bowl and add the confectioner's sugar, vanilla bean paste, and cream and whisk to combine.

brown butter frosted pumpkin snack cake on top of parchment paper — Pour on top of the cooled pumpkin cake use an angled spatula to gently spread the frosting into an even layer.

half eaten pumpkin spice cake on a white plate on top of an orange linen on a light grey surface.

★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!

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Recipe Card

Easy Pumpkin Spice Cake with Brown Butter Glaze

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Print Recipe

Total Time: 40 Minutes
Yield: 9-12 Slices 1x

Instructions

Pumpkin Cake

Preheat the oven to 350F/180C and line a 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper and grease all over to prevent sticking to the lining. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl add the pumpkin puree, sugars, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until fully combined. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is evenly combined.
Place a fine mesh sieve over the wet ingredients and sift in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Using a rubber spatula and gently fold into wet ingredients, mix until just combined. Pour batter into the prepared cake pan.
Bake for 23-28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with no wet batter, moist crumbs are okay. Let cool on a wire rack.

Brown Butter Glaze

In a small saucepan brown the butter (Check out this post on how to brown butter), once browned pour into a heat-proof bowl to cool for 5 minutes. Add the confectioner's sugar, vanilla bean paste, and cream and whisk to combine.
Depending on how much you browned your butter the liquid content will differ, hence the measurements of the varying ingredients for this glaze. Use your best judgment if your mixture is too thick add a bit more cream if your mixture is too thin add a bit more powdered sugar.
Pour on top of the cooled pumpkin cake use an angled spatula to gently spread the frosting into an even layer. Let the frosting set for 30 minutes at room temperature or 15 in the fridge. Leftovers can be stored in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.