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Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake Recipe – The Ultimate Fall Dessert

Make this easy Pumpkin Spice Gooey Cake with cream cheese frosting — cozy, rich, and perfectly spiced for fall gatherings. Ready in just one hour.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 420 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Cake Base

  • 1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 oz)
  • 1 large egg (room temperature)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

For the Gooey Pumpkin Filling

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • 4 cup powdered sugar (sifted for smooth texture)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat and Prep
    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. Consistent heat is key here — it gives those golden edges while keeping the center irresistibly gooey.
  • Make the Cake Base
    In a medium bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, egg, and melted butter. Stir until the mixture resembles thick cookie dough. Press it evenly into your prepared pan using slightly damp fingers (this prevents sticking).
  • Create the Gooey Pumpkin Filling
    In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth — no lumps! Add the eggs, one at a time, then vanilla, pumpkin puree, melted butter, and spices. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar until everything comes together into a silky, pourable batter.
  • Assemble and Bake
    Pour the pumpkin filling over your cake base. Don’t stress if it blends a little — that’s part of its charm. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the center still has a gentle jiggle. It’ll set as it cools.
  • Cool and Frost
    Let the cake cool completely before frosting (patience pays off here). For the frosting, beat cream cheese, butter, and brown sugar until fluffy, then add powdered sugar and vanilla. Spread generously over the cooled cake.