Pumpkin Spice Skillet Cake

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This cozy Pumpkin Spice Cake is baked in a cast-iron skillet right on the grill (or in your oven)! Made with a boxed spice cake mix and creamy pumpkin puree, it’s the perfect easy dessert for fall cookouts and holiday gatherings.

Pumpkin Spice Cake: The Perfect Skillet Cake for the Holidays!

When the air turns crisp and the grill starts calling your name, there’s no better way to end an outdoor meal than with a skillet-baked dessert.

This Cast-Iron Pumpkin Spice Cake combines everything we love about fall — rich pumpkin flavor, warm spices, and the homey charm of cast-iron cooking. It’s simple to make (indoors or out) and oh, so tasty. And it’s perfect for the holidays.

Whether you bake it over indirect heat on the grill or pop it in the oven, this cake delivers that perfect balance of tender crumb and golden edges. Topped with a creamy glaze, it’s pure comfort in every bite. You’ll be proud to serve this at your Thanksgiving Dinner or as a Christmas dessert.

What are we waiting for? Let’s bake this cake!

Pumpkin Spice Cake Ingredients

You will find a full recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here’s a look at what you’ll need. These are simple ingredients you can get at any grocery store.

• 1 box yellow cake mix (any brand)
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree (or mashed sweet potatoes)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tablespoon butter (to melt in the pan)

For the glaze:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons whipping cream or milk
• 1-2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions for the Grill or Oven

This comes together so easily and it’s perfect for the holidays!

Preheat grill or oven to 350°F. If using a grill, set it for indirect heat—you want to bake, not scorch.

Prepare a 10-inch cast-iron skillet by adding a tablespoon of butter and placing in the oven while you prep the batter.

In a large bowl, combine eggs, spices, and pumpkin puree. Mix until well combined.

Add cake mix and milk. Beat for 2-3 minutes or until smooth, thick, and creamy.

Make sure the melted butter covers the bottom and the sides of the pan.

Carefully pour into heated/buttered skillet and spread evenly.

Bake (or grill-bake) for 35–45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let cool for 10–15 minutes before adding the cream cheese glaze.

How to Make Cream Cheese Glaze

Beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy.

Add spices and powdered sugar. Mix well. Thin with heavy cream, as needed.

Spoon over cooled cake. Spread to cover.

I added a few chopped pecans on mine.

Serve and enjoy!

Suggestion: Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. This dessert pairs perfectly with a mug of hot cider beside the firepit or after a hearty grilled meal.

This cake is fine at room temp up to about eight hours (in an airtight container), but after that it will need to be refrigerated. Remove it from the cast iron skillet before doing so. You can freeze it to eat later, if you like. It should stay good in the freezer up to two months.

What to Expect from this Cake

First of all, this is one of the simplest cake recipes out there. We love working with a doctored cake mix, so it just made sense to try this in a skillet. And don’t worry if you don’t have a yellow cake. You can start with a white cake, or even a spice cake, if you like.

And speaking of spices, it’s the warmth of the cinnamon and pumpkin spice that really takes this cake over the top. You can add more (or less) depending on your tastes. And if you don’t have pumpkin spice, you can always make your own with a bit of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and clove. (Yum!) No matter how you spice it up, you’re going to love this delicious and simple pumpkin spice cake.

Variations on this Recipe

We love this pumpkin spice cake just like it is, but there are always fun ways to dress things up. Here are some fun add-ins you might consider:

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans for texture
• 1/2 cup craisins: This is one of our favorite ways to dress up a spice cake for the holidays
• 1/2 cup coconut: Add this along with the chopped pecans for a fun texture and twist
• A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar before baking for a sweet crust
• A dash of vanilla extract in the glaze for a richer flavor

That’s it for this post, friends! If you’re looking for other holiday desserts, take a look at our other offerings:

• Spiced Apple Dump Cake: This skillet cake is pure perfection, and ideal for fall and winter.
• Old-Fashioned Cowboy Cookies: Loaded with texture and flavor, you’re going to love these simple but hearty cookies.
• Easy Skillet Cookie on the Grill: Everyone loves a delicious cookie, and this one is sure to please a crowd! It’s tasty. . .and conversationa!
• Cast-Iron Peach Dump Cake: If you love a cobbler-like cake, this is the one for you. Loaded with peach flavor, it’s ideal for the holidays.

Thanks for stopping by! Before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?

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Planning Thanksgiving on the grill? Great! We’re here to help. Grab your FREE Holiday Menu Planner! It’s packed with links to smoked turkey, Southern sides, and delicious, sweet endings, guaranteed to please a crowd. Just click and download your copy instantly!

About the Pit Master

Zach Morrow is the creative spark behind Backyard Texas Grill, where Southern comfort meets smoky perfection. From perfectly grilled ribs to sweet skillet desserts, he believes every great meal starts with fire and ends with family. When he’s not experimenting on the grill, you’ll find him swapping recipes with his mother-in-law (a professional baker!) or hosting backyard gatherings under the Texas sky.