It’s officially fall…let the pumpkin binge baking commence! First up, Pumpkin Pie Gooey Butter Cake.

Pumpkin Pie Gooey Butter Cake

While I’m sad to see summer produce fade away, I’m not so sad to say goodbye to the sticky, humid heat. Adieu, sucka!

While Pinterest showed signs of pumpkin obsession several weeks ago, I don’t like to rush things. Pumpkin has no business showing its face in August. Too soon, people…too soon. I get it, you’re excited, but can we finish munching on sweet, juicy tomatoes before we move on to the next bigger and better thing? We’re always in such a rush.

Pumpkin Pie Gooey Butter Cake

It’s October in August. It’s December in October. Just stop it, all ready! I blame Walmart, where seasonal crap lines the shelves 3 months prior to the actual season. And when the season does finally arrive, the candy corn and pumpkin-shaped Reese’s cups are long gone. In its place are candy canes and twinkle lights. I will never understand retail.

Lucky for you, this is not the Walmart. I like to stay true to the season, so that means absolutely no peppermint dessert in October. <--- That is my promise to you. Pumpkin Pie Gooey Butter Cake

What we have here, is Pumpkin Pie Gooey Butter Cake. I’m told it’s better than my traditional pumpkin roll. Never, ever did I expect to hear those words. Looks like I’ll be pumping out gooey butter cake for the remainder of the season. And, rather than my traditional two pumpkin rolls I usually make for Thanksgiving dinner, I’ll need to make two of these Pumpkin Pie Gooey Butter Cakes instead. I guess this proves that change can be a good thing…sometimes.

Pumpkin Pie Gooey Butter Cake

The gooey, cheesecake-like, pumpkin-infused batter bakes up all custard-like on top of a dense, crispy vanilla cake base. If that weren’t good enough, I took it up a notch by adding a layer of sweet cinnamon chip morsels directly to the top of the cake batter. They get all melty between the cake and pumpkin custard layers, adding a layer of warm, sweet spice. Seriously, this cake is legit amazing. I tell no lies.

Pumpkin Pie Gooey Butter Cake

This pumpkin-infused, custard-y cake is the perfect fall dessert. The cheesecake-like mixture is nestled on top of dense, crispy vanilla cake with a layer of sweet cinnamon chips in between.

Ingredients:

Cake Layer

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 and 1/2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup cinnamon chips

Custard Layer

  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 8 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degress F. Line a 8-inch-by-8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper that overlaps over one side of the pan. Spray the pan with non-stick baking spray. 
  2. To make the cake layer, whisk the melted butter and both sugars in a large bowl until combined. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and whisk until combined. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt to the bowl. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, stir until thoroughly combined. 
  3. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Using a rubber spatula, evenly spread the mixture in the bottom of the pan. Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon chips over the batter.  
  4. To make the custard, beat the cream cheese and pumpkin in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter; mix to combine. Add the powdered sugar and pumpkin pie spice; mix well. Spread pumpkin mixture over cake batter and bake for 45 to 55 minutes. Make sure not to overbake as the center should be a little gooey in the center with a slight jiggle. 
  5. Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar or whipped cream. 
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