A Quick & Cozy 2-Ingredient Pumpkin Spice Cake to Bake This Fall

There’s something about that first crisp breeze and the crunch of leaves underfoot that makes us all want to bake—even if we’re not exactly the “from-scratch” type. When the craving for something cozy and pumpkin-y hits, the easiest answer is also the best one: a two-ingredient pumpkin spice cake. It’s warm, it’s comforting, and it tastes like autumn wrapped itself up in a pan—with none of the overcomplicated fuss.

The Big Reveal: What’s in the Cake?

Okay, don’t roll your eyes, but the base of this beauty is a boxed cake mix. (Listen, even the best bakers know when to cheat the system.) All you need to do is stir in a can of pure pumpkin purée—no pumpkin pie mix, please, unless you want your cake to taste like a sugar bomb exploded. That’s it. Pumpkin + cake mix = fall dessert magic.

And here’s the fun part: the cake mix flavor is totally up to you. Vanilla or white cake will let the pumpkin shine. Chocolate? You’ll get a rich, almost brownie-like vibe. Spice cake? You’re doubling down on cozy fall flavors. Basically, whatever box is on sale works—your cake, your rules.

How to Bake It Up

1. Dump the cake mix into a bowl.

2. Stir in one full can of pumpkin purée until smooth.

3. Spread into a greased 9x13-inch pan.

4. Bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes (or just follow the times on your cake mix box).

No eggs, no oil, no stress. Just cake.

Dress It Up (Or Don’t)

The beauty of this recipe is that it’s good as is—but toppings make it better. Think:

• A slather of cream cheese frosting (classic).

• A dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel (indulgent).

• A sprinkle of chopped nuts or powdered sugar (easy elegance).

  
  

And if you somehow end up with leftovers (unlikely, but hey, it happens), check out what to do with leftover cake for some fun ways to repurpose every last crumb.

Or, if you’re feeling extra, stir in a little cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice before baking. Even better? Bake the batter as cupcakes, a bundt cake, or layers if you want to pretend you worked harder than you did.

At the end of the day, this cake is all about fall flavor with zero stress. Perfect for potlucks, last-minute guests, or when you just need a cozy dessert that doesn’t eat up your whole afternoon. Two ingredients, one pan, and a whole lot of pumpkin spice happiness.