Ingredients:
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp (5g) baking powder
- 1/2 tsp (3g) baking soda
- 2 tsp (5g) ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp (2g) ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp (1g) ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp (3g) salt
- 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup (245g) pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (120ml) buttermilk, room temperature
- 8 oz (225g) full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups (500g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp (30ml) heavy cream
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 8-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Beat softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in pumpkin puree and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Gradually add dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with buttermilk, starting and ending with flour. Mix on low speed until just combined.
- Divide batter evenly between the three prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Beat softened cream cheese and butter until velvety. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating on high for 2 minutes. Add heavy cream if needed for consistency.
- Assemble the cake by layering the cooled sponges with the cream cheese frosting.