Name: Easy Frosted Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder - divided; 1 tablespoon water; 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice; 1 15oz can of pumpkin (puree NOT pumpkin pie filling); ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 8-ounce package cream cheese – softened; 2 cups powdered sugar; 1/2 cup half & half; 1 teaspoon vanilla

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Savor the flavor of your favorite Fall drink, pumpkin spice latte in this OUTSTANDING cake. Bake in a bundt pan or 9×13 pan. This recipe will keep you stress-free and RELAXED,

The secret to “Easy”

It’s pumpkin. It’s coffee. It’s cake. It’s EASY!!! Really easy. The secret ingredient is a box of spice cake mix. Using a cake mix eliminates a whole bunch of ingredients and saves a lot of time. The can of pumpkin puree is not really a secret ingredient, as obviously, there’s pumpkin in a pumpkin cake.

No eggs or oil needed!

However, the pumpkin eliminates the need to add eggs and oil to the cake mix. How cool is that? The same is true with applesauce. Both are healthy and a low-calorie substitute for oil and eggs in many baked goods. One quick note about the pumpkin, make sure that it’s pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. They are NOT interchangeable.

The instant espresso powder provides the delicious coffee flavor. Regular instant coffee will work too, but expresso adds depth of flavor in both the cake and the frosting. I also sprinkle a little over the top of the frosting for a little extra pop. The same principle holds true for the unsweetened cocoa powder. Instant chocolate milk or hot chocolate mix can substitute for the cocoa powder, but the flavor won’t be as rich.

This cake looks pretty when baked in a Bundt cake pan, especially if you serve it as dessert. However, it can be baked in a 9×15 baking pan, which may not look as impressive but will be much easier to serve if it’s going to a pot-luck or gathering.

Baking spray vs Cooking spray

bundt pan and baking spray — Spray the pan with baking spray

There’s very little prep work necessary. The cream cheese for the frosting needs softening, so get it set out on the counter. The cake pan, regardless of type, needs a dose of non-stick baking spray. I recommend using baking spray over regular non-stick spray (although it will work – just not quite as well). Baking spray contains flour which mimics the traditional practice of greasing and flouring. If you don’t have baking spray, no biggie. It’s not critical.

measuring cup with expresso and water mixed — Mix tablespoons of expresso powder with one tablespoon water

The other thing needing prep is mixing two tablespoons of the instant espresso/coffee with a tablespoon of hot water.

Mixing the batter

Mix up the cake mix and pumpkin with an electric mixer (I use my handheld). Pour half the batter into another bowl. In one bowl, add the pumpkin spice, and in the other, add the cocoa and espresso mixture.

tow bowls of batter — Add the pumpkin spice to half the batter and the expresso and cocoa to the other half.

If using a bundt pan, spoon in half the pumpkin batter. Spoon in the coffee/chocolate better and top with the remaining pumpkin batter. If using a 9×13 pan, scoop alternating colors in the bottom of the pan, covering the entire pan. Bake in a pre-heated oven for between 30-35 minutes, depending on the pan. Use the directions on the cake mix box as a guide.

batter in cake pan — Spoon in a layer of pumpkin batter, layer of coffee/chocolate batter and top with remaining pumpkin batter

Hack: testing for doneness

The traditional doneness test for cake is to insert a toothpick or wooden skewer; the cake is ready if it comes out clean. If there is batter or gumminess on the toothpick, it needs to bake longer. An easy test for doneness is to lightly press on the middle of the cake; it should feel springy and pillowy. Also, look at the edges of the pan. The sides of the cake will just start to pull away from the pan. The outer edges will look dry, and you’ll see a gap forming between the edge of the cake and the side of the pan.

baked cake on wire rack — Allow cake to completely cookl before frosting

Cream Cheese frosting

While the cake is baking, it’s time to make the frosting. Beat the softened cream cheese until fluffy with an electric mixer and gradually add in the powdered sugar. When smooth, add the vanilla and two teaspoons instant espresso/coffee powder (dry) and mix. Slowly pour in half & half until the frosting is thoroughly combined and pourable.

Dust frosted cake with pumpkin spice and instant coffee granules

Make sure the cake is completely cool before frosting. You can artistically pour the frosting on a bundt cake if you want. I like frosting, lots of frosting – so I completely covered my cake (plus it’s a lot easier and no stress.) For a 9×13, just pour all the frosting over the cake. To add a little interest, lightly dust the frosted cake with pumpkin pie spice and instant coffee granules. Enjoy!