Pumpkin Spice Cake

Holiday Recipes

This vegan Pumpkin Spice Cake uses a convenient box mix base, transformed by rich pumpkin puree and cozy spices into a wonderfully moist and tender holiday treat. Topped with a luscious, tangy vegan cream cheese glaze, this cake is guaranteed to be a comforting favorite at your holiday table. It's simple to prepare and bakes up beautifully in a loaf pan, making it the perfect dessert for sharing.

Ready in 70-80 minutes | Makes 8-12 slices

Ingredients

• 1 - 15 oz box yellow cake mix - always check ingredients to ensure they're vegan-friendly

• ¾ cup pumpkin puree

• ¾ cup plant-based milk

• ½ cup neutral oil or melted vegan butter

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

• 1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice

• A pinch of salt

Vegan Cream Cheese Glaze

• 1 cup organic powdered sugar

• 4 oz vegan cream cheese, room temperature

• 2 Tbsp plant-based milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

  
  

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Thoroughly grease a standard loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all the wet ingredients: pumpkin puree, plant-based milk, oil (or melted vegan butter), vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar. Whisk these ingredients together until they are fully incorporated.

3. Add the dry ingredients to the same bowl: the cake mix, pumpkin pie spice, and the pinch of salt.

4. Whisk the wet and dry ingredients together until a smooth batter forms. Be careful not to overmix—whisk just until there are no streaks of dry ingredients remaining.

5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth out the surface with a spatula.

6. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the surface of the cake becomes golden brown and a clean knife or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Remove the cake from the oven and set it aside to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before carefully transferring it to a cooling rack.

8. Allow the cake to cool completely for at least one hour.

9. While the cake cools, prepare the vegan cream cheese glaze:

   • In a medium mixing bowl, combine the wet ingredients: the room-temperature vegan cream cheese, plant-based milk, and vanilla extract.

   • Using a whisk or hand mixer, mix these ingredients together until the base is completely smooth and creamy.

   • Gradually add the powdered sugar to the bowl, mixing on low speed until the glaze is smooth and thick. If the glaze is too thin, add a teaspoon more powdered sugar; if it is too thick, add a few drops more plant-based milk until you reach a desired drizzle consistency.

10. Once the cake is fully cooled (after at least one hour), generously drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the entire surface, allowing the glaze to run down the sides. Allow the glaze to set for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.