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A pumpkin bundt cake with cream cheese glaze and pumpkin seed brittle on top
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5 from 1 vote

Pumpkin Bundt Cake

A Chai spiced Pumpkin Bundt Cake with cream cheese glaze and candied pumpkin seeds on top.
Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time55 minutes
Total Time2 hours 30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bundt cake, cream cheese frosting, pumpkin cake, thanksgiving dessert
Servings: 10

Ingredients

Pumpkin Bundt Cake

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon clove
  • 1 pinch black pepper
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • ¼ cup flavorless oil like grapeseed or canola
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • cup buttermilk
  • 14 oz pumpkin puree

Cream Cheese Glaze

  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter softened
  • 1 ½ cups confectioner's sugar
  • 2 tablespoon milk
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch cinnamon

Pumpkin Seed Praline

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • cup water
  • 1 pinch cream of tartar
  • 1 cup pumpkin seeds
  • flakey sea salt for sprinkling

Instructions

Pumpkin Bundt Cake

  • Pre-heat oven to 350°F.  Generously brush the inside of a Bundt® pan with very soft butter, sprinkle with flour, and tap out the excess.  Set aside.
  • Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.  Set aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium-low speed with the paddle attachment until smooth.  Add in both sugars and mix on medium until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes.  Add the oil and vanilla. Mix until combined.
  • With the mixer on low, add in the eggs, one at a time.  Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. 
  • With the mixer on low, add in half of the flour mixture and mix until just combined.  Add in the buttermilk and mix until combined.  Add in the remaining half of the flour mixture and mix until just incorporated and few streaks of flour remain visible.  Add in the pumpkin puree and mix until smooth.  The batter will be thick.
  • Spoon the cake batter into the prepared pan.  Tap the bottom of the filled pan on a hard work surface to release any air bubbles.  Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a long wooden skewer or thin paring knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.  Cool on a wire rack for about 15 minutes, or until the cake can safely be handled. 
  • Gently loosen the edges of the cake with a flexible rubber spatula (but resist the urge to run a knife around the edges or it may cut into the cake).  Place a wire rack or cutting board on top of the cake.  Holding on to the edges of the pan and rack, carefully invert everything.  The cake pan will still be warm, so use oven mitts as needed.  Remove the cake pan and continue to completely cool the cake before adding the glaze.

Cream Cheese Glaze

  • In a mixing bowl, stir together the cream cheese and butter with a wooden spoon until well combined.
  • Gradually stir in the confectioner’s sugar and mix until incorporated.
  • Add in the vanilla and milk.  Stir until smooth.  Glaze should be rather thick but still able to drip slowly off of a spoon.  Add more milk as needed.
  • Once the cake had completely cooled, drip the glaze over the top of the cake and garnish with praline pieces.

Pumpkin Seed Praline

  • Like a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking mat and set aside.
  • Place the sugar, water, and cream of tartar in a small saucepan over high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil and continue to cook, without stirring, until the mixture turns a medium amber color. Remove the saucepan from the heat and quickly stir in the pumpkin seeds.
  • Tip the mixture onto the prepared pan and quickly spread it into a thin layer with a greased spatula. Sprinkle with salt and allow the praline to completely cool. Once cool, break the praline into pieces. Serve as a garnish to the pumpkin cake.