Pumpkin Quake Cake is a delightful dessert that features a moist pumpkin cake with a rich cream cheese filling that creates a “quake” effect when baked. Topped with a dusting of powdered sugar, this cake is perfect for fall gatherings or any celebration.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Timing

Making Pumpkin Quake Cake takes about 20 minutes for preparation and 45-50 minutes for baking.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Oven

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.

Step 2: Prepare the Cake Batter

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Set aside.
2. Mix Sugars and Oil: In a large bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. Mix until well combined.
3. Add Eggs and Pumpkin: Add the eggs, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract to the sugar mixture. Mix until smooth.
4. Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Step 3: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

1. Mix Filling Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Assemble the Cake

1. Pour Half the Batter: Pour half of the pumpkin cake batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.
2. Add Cream Cheese Filling: Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the batter, spreading it gently to avoid mixing it in too much.
3. Top with Remaining Batter: Pour the remaining pumpkin batter over the cream cheese filling, spreading it evenly.

Step 5: Bake

1. Bake the Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be golden brown.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

1. Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Dust with Powdered Sugar: Once cooled, dust the top with powdered sugar before serving. Cut into squares and enjoy!

Nutritional Information

Here’s a quick overview of the nutritional content of Pumpkin Quake Cake (per serving, based on 12 servings):

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	280
Protein	4g
Fat	15g
Carbohydrates	34g
Fiber	2g
Sugar	18g

Tips for Customization

• Add Nuts: Incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter for added texture and flavor.
• Spice Variations: Experiment with other spices like allspice or cloves for a different flavor profile.
• Frosting Option: For extra sweetness, top with cream cheese frosting instead of powdered sugar.

Conclusion

Pumpkin Quake Cake is a delicious and visually stunning dessert that combines the flavors of pumpkin and cream cheese in a unique way. Perfect for fall gatherings or holiday celebrations, this cake is sure to impress your guests. Enjoy this delightful recipe!