The Ultimate Pumpkin Cream Cheese Crumb Cake: A Fall Favorite for Breakfast or Dessert
There are some flavor combinations that are simply destined to be together, and pumpkin paired with rich, tangy cream cheese is undoubtedly one of them. This incredible Pumpkin Cream Cheese Crumb Cake brings these two beloved elements into a harmonious union, creating a dessert (or even breakfast!) that’s wonderfully moist, spiced, and utterly irresistible. Featuring a tender pumpkin cake base, a luscious cream cheese filling nestled in the middle, and crowned with a generous, buttery crumb topping, this cake is designed to delight your taste buds and become a staple in your autumn baking repertoire.
The Inspiration Behind This Autumnal Masterpiece
My journey to creating this perfect Pumpkin Cream Cheese Crumb Cake began with a simple craving and a fond memory. After successfully crafting those delightful pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, I knew I wanted to explore more ways to combine the comforting warmth of pumpkin with the sweet and tangy notes of cream cheese. The pairing is just too good to be limited to frosting!
This past weekend, I had grand plans to bake a classic pumpkin crumb cake, but as I started envisioning the recipe, I felt it needed an extra layer of indulgence. It needed a “wow” factor. Then, a lightbulb moment struck! I recalled countless readers raving about the irresistible cream cheese filling in my popular zucchini muffins. Why not take that same beloved concept and integrate it into a pumpkin crumb cake?
The idea was brilliant in its simplicity: a rich, velvety cream cheese filling, perfectly encapsulated within layers of spiced pumpkin cake, all beneath a crunchy, sweet crumb topping. The decision was made instantly, and I set out to bring this vision to life.
Deconstructing the Perfect Pumpkin Crumb Cake: Three Layers of Deliciousness
While the ingredient list for this cake might initially appear extensive, don’t let that deter you! Many ingredients are repeated across the different components, making the overall process much more manageable than it seems. This cake is truly a symphony of three distinct, yet complementary, layers, each contributing to an unforgettable texture and flavor experience.
1. The Irresistible Crumb Topping
We begin our culinary adventure with the crumb topping, a crucial element that adds delightful crunch and an extra layer of sweetness and spice. This is the first step, and it’s important to prepare it and then chill it while you work on the other components. The crumb topping comes together quickly with a simple mix of flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cold butter. The secret to those perfectly chunky, melt-in-your-mouth crumbs? Using cold butter and either your fingertips or a pastry blender to work it into the dry ingredients. This technique ensures that the butter remains in small pieces, which then melt slowly during baking, creating pockets of crisp, buttery deliciousness. Chilling it prevents the butter from melting prematurely, further enhancing the crumbly texture.
2. The Velvety Cream Cheese Filling
Next up is the star of the show: the decadent cream cheese filling. This is what elevates a simple pumpkin crumb cake to something truly extraordinary. It’s a straightforward mixture of softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, one large egg, and a touch of vanilla extract. The key here is to ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature before you start mixing. This allows it to whip up smoothly, without any lumps, creating a creamy, luxurious consistency. Avoid overmixing once the egg is added; just combine until smooth. This filling provides a beautiful tangy counterpoint to the sweetness of the pumpkin cake and the crumb topping, adding a layer of richness that makes every bite truly special.
3. The Moist & Spiced Pumpkin Cake Base
Finally, we craft the foundation of our masterpiece: the moist pumpkin cake batter. This comes together surprisingly quickly and fills your kitchen with the aromatic spices of autumn. It combines all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, a generous amount of pumpkin pie spice, extra ground cinnamon, and salt for the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, you’ll whisk together pumpkin puree (make sure it’s pure puree, not pie filling!), oil (canola or vegetable work well), both light brown sugar and granulated sugar, two large eggs, and vanilla extract. The combination of oil and pumpkin puree contributes to the cake’s incredible moisture, ensuring it stays soft and tender. When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated to avoid overdeveloping the gluten, which can lead to a tough cake.
Assembling and Baking Your Autumnal Delight
The assembly might sound like a few steps, but I promise it’s simpler than it sounds and incredibly satisfying. You’ll start by spreading half of your pumpkin cake batter into a well-prepared springform pan. This type of pan is highly recommended for this recipe, as its removable sides make extracting the finished cake an absolute breeze, minimizing any potential mess and ensuring a perfect presentation. Over this first layer of pumpkin cake, you’ll spoon and gently spread the entirety of the luscious cream cheese filling. Then, carefully dollop and spread the remaining pumpkin cake batter over the cream cheese layer, striving for an even covering. Finally, retrieve your chilled crumb topping from the refrigerator and generously sprinkle it over the top of the cake. Phew! It sounds like a lot, but each step is straightforward and quick.
Once your beautiful cake is assembled, it’s off to the oven. Bake until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the cake (avoiding the cream cheese layer for a true cake doneness check) comes out clean. After baking, the waiting game begins. Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 15-20 minutes. This crucial cooling period allows the cake to set and firm up, making it much easier to remove from the springform pan without tearing or crumbling. Once partially cooled, unlatch and remove the sides of the springform pan, and carefully transfer the cake to the wire rack to cool completely. While it’s tempting to dig in immediately, letting it cool thoroughly enhances its flavors and ensures the filling has properly set.
Serving Suggestions & Storage Tips
The best part about this incredible crumb cake? Its versatility! It’s absolutely perfect for any occasion. Imagine a slice with your morning coffee or tea – the ultimate breakfast indulgence! The creamy tang of the filling with the spiced pumpkin and crunchy topping makes for an elevated start to your day. It’s equally spectacular as a dessert after a cozy fall meal, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Whether it’s a casual brunch, a festive holiday gathering, or just a treat for yourself, this cake fits the bill perfectly.
To keep this delightful creation at its best, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 4 days. If you prefer to enjoy it warm, simply reheat individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds before serving. The warmth really brings out the comforting spices and softens the cream cheese filling beautifully.
Why This Pumpkin Cream Cheese Crumb Cake is a Must-Bake This Season
This isn’t just another pumpkin cake; it’s a celebration of autumn’s finest flavors, elevated by a surprise creamy center and a delightful crunchy topping. The combination of textures – moist cake, smooth filling, and crisp crumbs – creates a truly dynamic eating experience. It’s comforting, aromatic, and perfectly spiced, embodying everything wonderful about fall baking. This recipe is designed to be accessible to home bakers of all skill levels, with clear instructions that guide you every step of the way to a stunning and delicious result. It’s a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for the recipe, making it an ideal choice for holiday entertaining or a special weekend treat.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Crumb Cake
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Ingredients
Crumb Topping:
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter cold
Cream Cheese Filling:
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pumpkin Cake:
- 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
- 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9″ springform pan well with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
To make the crumb topping:
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In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon until well combined. Cut the cold butter into small pieces and using your hands or a pastry blender (a fork will work too), work it into the mixture until you have large clumps or crumbs.
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Transfer to the refrigerator until ready to use.
To make the cream cheese filling:
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In a medium sized bowl using a hand-held mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add in the sugar and mix until fully combined. Add in the egg and vanilla and mix until just combined. Set aside.
To make the cake:
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In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, ground cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
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In a separate bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla until fully combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
Notes
Unlock Your Baking Potential: Share Your Questions!
I am always eager to connect with fellow baking enthusiasts and share insights that can make your kitchen experiences even more rewarding. As I plan to develop more posts focusing on essential baking tips and tricks, your input is invaluable. Do you have any burning questions about baking techniques? Are there specific challenges you face in the kitchen? Perhaps there’s a particular type of recipe or baking fundamental you’d love to see covered in detail? Please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts, questions, and suggestions my way! I’d truly love to hear from you and gain a clearer idea of what content would be most helpful and inspiring for all of you. Your feedback helps shape the future of this baking community!