Vegan Pumpkin Sheet Cake
This Vegan Pumpkin Cake recipe is the perfect mix of moist, fluffy, and spiced. Top with vegan cream cheese frosting for the ultimate fall dessert.
Incoming BOLD but TRUE statement: This vegan pumpkin cake is one of the BEST cakes I’ve ever made! Oh my gosh. It’s moist, fluffy, the texture is on point and it is filled with a delicious spiced flavour! If you want to make a cake but you’re intimidated by layered cakes or other kinds, THIS is the cake for you.
It’s SO easy to make, comes together beautifully, and is topped with the perfect companion: a vegan cream cheese frosting! The cake is delicious by itself but with the frosting? Some responses I got:
“Can I get two more slices please?” – my husband
“Wow this is FABULOUS! 😍” – my mom
“Is this really vegan???” – one of my girlfriends
Needless to say, this cake and frosting have my loved ones talking, and it’ll have yours too.
Looking for more pumpkin desserts? Don’t miss my pumpkin cupcakes, pumpkin cookies, and pumpkin cheesecake.
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Cake Recipe
- Fluffy & moist. One thing I tested for a lot while making this vegan sheet cake was getting a balance between height, fluffiness and moisture. I was able to find a great balance by using half oil half vegan milk for moisture and fluffiness, and baking powder for a nice amount of height that didn’t affect flavour.
- Pairs well with cream cheese frosting. You can enjoy this pumpkin sheet cake unfrosted but it goes SO well with my vegan cream cheese frosting. A thick layer on top makes this cake absolutely irresistible.
- Perfect for Thanksgiving. This pumpkin cake makes an easy Thanksgiving dessert. It’s like a much easier version of a pumpkin roll, with all the flavour and none of the work. Plus you can easily make it a day in advance.
Notes on Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card below for measurements.
- All purpose flour – You can also use a gluten free flour mix to make this cake gluten free.
- Baking powder & baking soda – Leavening agents to help the cake rise in the oven.
- Fine sea salt – Helps to enhance the other flavours and balance the sweetness.
- Spices – Cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice give this cake the classic warm pumpkin flavour.
- Pumpkin puree – Be sure to use pure pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling.
- Sugar – I used cane sugar but brown sugar, coconut sugar, and other granulated sugars will work too.
- Oil – Any neutral oil you prefer will work.
- Milk – Any vegan milk of choice.
- Vanilla extract
How to Make Pumpkin Sheet Cake
This vegan pumpkin cake comes together in a few simple steps. Scroll down to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Make the batter. Sift the dry ingredients together. Beat the pumpkin puree, sugar, oil, vanilla, and milk for at least 3 minutes until fully incorporated. Add half of the dry ingredients, mix for 30 seconds, then repeat with the other half.
- Transfer to the pan. Pour the batter into a sheet pan that’s floured and greased or lined with parchment paper. Smooth out the top with a spatula and tap on the counter to remove air bubbles.
- Bake. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
- Frost. Allow the cake to cool then frost with vegan cream cheese frosting as desired. Chill in the fridge to allow the frosting to set then slice and enjoy.
What pan size should I use?
So even though this is a “sheet cake” the pan I used is technically a quarter sheet pan. Why? Because it’s a pan most of us already have (9 x 13), and it has the same ease of making a whole cake in one pan. It’s fluffy, makes a great size, and produces a height that would be much higher than if all of this were spread over an entire sheet cake.
Tips for Success
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you make this pumpkin cake recipe.
- Don’t change the pan size. Sometimes I see readers have difficulties with recipes and find out they’ve changed the pan size. Baking times and quantities are done based on specific pans and changing that will affect how long a recipe will take to cook. This could result in a cake that doesn’t cook through, or that cooks too quickly and dries out. If you don’t have this size pan, you can adjust but at your own risk. If you use a wider pan, use less time; and for a smaller pan, it’ll take a similar or longer time.
- Avoid overmixing. As you add the dry ingredients, mix for no more than 3 minutes total to avoid a dense and potentially dry cake.
- Don’t change the ingredients. More oil might make this marshy and less will definitely negatively affect the texture. I suggest not making substitutions. If you’re looking for a cake that’s maybe smaller or can handle substitutions I would suggest my pumpkin mug cake. You can of course make this gluten-free!
- Let the cake cool fully if you plan to add frosting! It’s so tempting I know, to add it to it warm (which you CAN if you want!) but it’ll melt your frosting, no matter the kind, almost immediately.
Proper Storage
- Fridge. Pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting needs to be refrigerated until serving. Cover the pan tightly with foil. I actually prefer eating it chilled anyway. It will last for 3 to 4 days.
- Counter. Unfrosted pumpkin sheet cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days, covered tightly.
More Pumpkin Recipes
Enjoy friends! If you make this Vegan Pumpkin Sheet Cake, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
Vegan Pumpkin Sheet Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour, (240g) or gluten free flour mix
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 can of pumpkin puree, 15 oz. (425g)
- 1 1/2 cups sugar, (300g) I use cane sugar, you can use brown sugar or coconut sugar or other kind of granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup oil, (100g) any neutral oil
- 1/2 cup milk, (120mL) any vegan milk works
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C. Prepare a 9×13 sheet pan (with sides) by greasing & flouring or lining with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sea salt, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or with a hand mixer in a larger bowl, add the pumpkin puree, sugar, oil vanilla extract and milk. Mix together for at least 3 minutes on medium speed until all the ingredients are fully incorporated and mixed together.
- Add half the dry ingredients in, mixed for about 30 seconds on medium, then add the other half, mixing for another 30 seconds, scraping down the sides as needed. Mix for about no more than 2 more minutes on medium speed until everything is fully incorporated.
- Pour the batter into your sheet pan. Using your spatula, smooth out the top, and tap the tap twice on a counter to remove any air bubbles.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the centre is fully cooked through.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool fully in the pan on a wire rack before adding the frosting.
- Spread as much or as little vegan cream cheese frosting as you'd like on the full sheet cake. Place in your fridge for the frosting to fully thicken up. Slice, and enjoy!
Notes
Expert Tips & FAQ for the best Pumpkin Sheet Cake
- Don’t change the pan size. Sometimes I see readers have difficulties with recipes and find out they’ve changed the pan size. Baking times and quantities are done based on specific pans and changing that will affect how long a recipe will take to cook. This could result in a cake that doesn’t cook through, or that cooks too quickly and dries out. If you don’t have this size pan, you can adjust but at your own risk. If you use a wider pan, use less time; and for a smaller pan, it’ll take a similar or longer time.
- Don’t change the ingredients. More oil might make this marshy and less will definitely negatively affect the texture. I suggest not making substitutions. If you’re looking for a cake that’s maybe smaller or can handle substitutions I would suggest my pumpkin mug cake. You can of course make this gluten-free!
- Let the cake cool fully if you plan to add frosting! It’s so tempting I know, to add it to it warm (which you CAN if you want!) but it’ll melt your frosting, no matter the kind, almost immediately. This tastes INCREDIBLE with my vegan cream cheese frosting!
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
I give this recipe a five star because of the easiness and the availability of ingredients in my pantry. On top of these I especially give it a five star because of the taste!
I love your sites, social media pages and this blog!! I feel the love and passion throughout and it’s catchy!! Blessings xx jacquie
We’re so happy that you enjoyed this recipe Jacquie! Thank you so much for reading and leaving such a nice comment!
This one is such a wonderful fall dessert!!! When I switched to plant based/vegan I was sad when I realized my Tia’s pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting was no longer a thing I could enjoy…until this recipe appeared into my life!!!
I will actually make this for my Tia in the future so she can see how amazing it is!!!
This is literally one of the best cakes I’ve ever made. It was SO amazing!! I’ve shared it with my friends and everyone loved it 🥰
It was very easy to make, and with the icing on top it was just wonderful.
Thank you so much for this recipe!
We’re so happy that you enjoyed this recipe Monja! Thank you so much for reading and leaving such a nice comment!
Absolutely delicious cake!! I made it gluten free very easily and it remained fluffy yet moist from the pumpkin! Everyone who tried it wanted seconds!! I will be making it again (:
Awesome we’re so happy you and those around you got to enjoy it Julie! Thanks so much for reading!
I was so anxious to try this recipe as soon as I saw it and finally did when I got my hands on pumpkin purée. It was so easy, not that many ingredients, and SO DELICIOUS. I used gf flour, which often times ruins desserts, but not this one! Literally the best cake ever.
We’re so happy that you enjoyed this recipe Jessica! Thank you so much for reading and leaving such a nice comment!
This was super easy to make and absolutely delicious! I used a combo of brown and white sugar and it was so yummy!
We’re so happy that you enjoyed this recipe Elyse! Thank you so much for reading and leaving such a nice comment!
WoW! What an amazing and easy to make “taste of fall” cake! Light and airy – full of flavor – it will be a go-to for me for years to come! Thanks Jessica!
We’re so happy that you enjoyed this recipe Penni! Thank you so much for reading and leaving such a nice comment!
Oh my goodness this recipe is perfect! So most and fluffy with the perfect amount of spice, I have eaten disgustingly large portions of this, as with this cake I have lost all self control, THAT’S how good it is! My plan was to freeze some but there’s almost none left! She’s done it again with another fantastic recipe. Thank you
We’re so happy that you enjoyed this recipe Jess! Thank you so much for reading and leaving such a nice comment!
This looks amazing! Going to make it soon. I’m just wondering does the gluten flour blend you use have xanthan gum in it? I know some do, but mine doesn’t and I have xanthan gum separately if needed!
Hi Laura,
Yes the one I use includes that! It’s the Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour! It’s hard to tell you how much to use since I’m unsure what you’re using, but if it has a guide, go with that!
I made this cake, and my family loved it. My non-vegan husband couldn’t tell it was vegan;) I’ve been on the hunt for a vegan cake that didn’t turn out wet or gooey. Thankfully all the testing has been done for us, because this cake turned out fluffy and moist (but not wet, as many vegan cakes can be). I immediately printed and filed this recipe away as I will definitely make again. Thank you Jessica!!
Aww this comment made me so happy to read Maria!! Thank you so very much and you’re so incredibly welcome!!