This Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cake Is A Delicious Pie Alternative

A mouth-watering Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cake may sound too good to be true, but I assure you, it isn’t! This recipe is not only a keeper for those who can only enjoy gluten-free desserts, but it’s one the whole family can enjoy without missing the presence of gluten or wheat.

Two plates with slices of gluten-free pumpkin cake topped with whipped cream is placed on a tablemat.

Another great thing about this GF Pumpkin Cake is that it hits all the same flavor notes as pumpkin pie without the hassle. It’s not quite a dump cake — it does require a bit of assembly — but it’s certainly easier than making a pie!

Jillee’s Take:

My family loves homemade pumpkin pie, but unfortunately I never managed to master my mom’s talent for pie-making. This pumpkin pie cake with yellow cake mix has all the flavors we enjoy (without any of the gluten my son Kell and his wife Aliyah can’t eat) and is quick and easy to make — it’s a win-win!

How To Make Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cake

Bottom Layer: Yellow Cake Base

A box of gluten-free yellow cake mix, a stick of softened butter, and an egg sit on a kitchen countertop with a tile backsplash in the background.

Ingredients:

  • 1 gluten-free yellow cake mix (1/2 cup reserved for topping)
  • 1 stick butter, softened
  • 1 egg

Directions:

A lady's hand is pressing and setting the bottom layer of the pumpkin cake crust on a tray.

Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl and beat with a hand mixer until the mixture comes together — it should look like wet sand. Press the mixture into an even layer in the bottom of a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking pan.

Middle Layer: Pumpkin Pie Filling

A selection of ingredients for a gluten-free pumpkin pie includes a can of pumpkin pie filling, a bottle of milk, a bowl of sugar, four eggs, a stick of butter, and various spices with labeled quantities displayed for the recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 1 (29 oz) can of pumpkin purée
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground mace (or ground nutmeg)
  • 1/2 tsp ground allspice
  • 4 eggs, beaten
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 Tbsp butter

Directions:

A tray with pumpkin pie cake filling on top of the pie crust and a spoon inside is placed on a countertop.

Add all the ingredients to a pot and stir to combine. Place the pot on your stovetop over low heat, cook until thickened, then pour the pumpkin mixture into the pan and spread it evenly over the base.

Top Layer: Streusel Topping

Ingredients for a recipe are laid out: 1/2 cup gluten-free yellow cake mix in a bowl, 1 tbsp ground cinnamon, and 3 tbsp cold butter in a bowl. Perfect for crafting that wholesome gluten-free pumpkin pie everyone will love.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup gluten-free yellow cake mix
  • 1 Tbsp cinnamon
  • 3 Tbsp butter, cold

Directions:

A bowl with a fork inside and butter, gluten-free yellow cake mix, and cinnamon is placed on the countertop.

Whisk together the reserved cake mix and cinnamon, then cut the cold butter into the mixture until crumbly. Sprinkle the crumbly topping evenly atop the pumpkin pie filling.

Put the pan in your oven and bake at 350 degrees F for about 60 minutes or until set in the middle. (Shake the pan a bit — if it doesn’t jiggle or wobble, it’s done.)

Let the cake cool completely before slicing, and serve with a big dollop of whipped cream. (Tip: Add a dash of pumpkin pie spice to your whipped cream for extra pumpkin spice goodness!)

How to Enjoy Leftovers

Store any leftover Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cake tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days.

To store it longer, tightly wrap the leftover cake and refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 1 month.

Warm leftover cake in the microwave for a few seconds before eating.

Serving Suggestions For GF Pumpkin Cake

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cake makes a great snack you can enjoy with tea, coffee, or a mug of hot chocolate. To serve it as a decadent dessert, pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream (with or without the whipped cream!)

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cake Ingredient Substitutes

IngredientAlternatives
Gluten-free yellow cake mixGF all-purpose flour, coconut flour, or almond flour
ButterAvocado oil, vegetable oil, or coconut oil
EggsMashed banana, applesauce, or egg substitute
Canned pumpkinHomemade pumpkin or squash purée
Granulated sugarHoney, maple syrup, or brown sugar
Cinnamon, mace, and allspicePumpkin pie spice
MilkCoconut milk, almond milk, or oat milk

More Recipes To Try This Fall

Looking for other gluten-free recipes or seasonal treats? I’ve got you covered! Check out these links for more delicious ideas:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pumpkin Gluten-Free?

Yes, pure pumpkin is gluten-free. (Some varieties of canned pumpkin may have added ingredients, so look for one with pumpkin listed as the only ingredient.)

How Do You Keep Gluten-Free Cake Moist?

You can keep this gluten-free cake moist by avoiding overmixing the ingredients and overbaking the cake. Store the cake tightly wrapped or in an airtight container to keep it soft and moist.

What Other Gluten-Free Pumpkin Desserts Should I Try?

I highly recommend my Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread and Crustless Pumpkin Pie! Beyond that, you can find plenty of delicious GF pumpkin recipes online to keep you busy (and satisfy your appetite for all things pumpkin) all season long.

Conclusion

This Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cake proves that a great-tasting pumpkin treat doesn’t need wheat or gluten. Put this recipe on your list of treats to bake this fall!

What’s your favorite pumpkin treat, snack, or dessert?

Pumpkin Pie Cake

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cake Recipe

Jill Nystul
This gluten-free dessert has all the delicious flavors and textures of pumpkin pie you love without the effort required for pie-making. You won't miss the gluten at all in this mouthwatering seasonal treat!
3.80 from 54 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 500 kcal

Equipment

  • Baking pan 9×13"

Ingredients
  

Base Layer

  • 1 box gluten-free yellow cake mix 1/2 cup reserved for topping
  • 1 stick butter softened
  • 1 egg

Pumpkin Filling

  • 29 oz canned pumpkin
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon mace
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 4 eggs beaten
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Streusel Topping

  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons butter cold

Instructions
 

To make the base:

  • Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and beat with a hand mixer until combined.
    A side-by-side image of two bowls: one has egg, butter, and yellow cake mix inside and the other bowl is mixing all ingredients with a beater.
  • Press the crumbly mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased baking pan.
    A lady's hand is pressing and setting the bottom layer of the pumpkin cake crust on a tray.

To make the pumpkin filling:

  • Add all ingredients to a pot, stir, and cook over low heat until thickened.
    A pot containing the ingredients of pumpkin pie cake filling with a cooking spoon inside is placed on a countertop.
  • Pour the pumpkin pie filling into the pan and spread it evenly over the base layer.
    A tray with pumpkin pie cake filling on top of the pie crust and a spoon inside is placed on a countertop.

To make the streusel topping:

  • Place the reserved 1/2 cup of yellow cake mix in a bowl, add the cinnamon and cold butter, then cut the butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly. Sprinkle the topping over the pumpkin pie filling.
    A bowl with a fork inside and butter, gluten-free yellow cake mix, and cinnamon is placed on the countertop.
  • Sprinkle the crumbly topping evenly over the pumpkin filling.

To bake the cake:

  • Bake at 350 degrees F for about 60 minutes, or until set in the middle.
  • Let the cake cool before slicing and serve with a dollop of whipped cream.
    Gluten-Free Pumpkin "Pie" Cake

Video

YouTube video

Nutrition

Calories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 88gProtein: 6gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 102mgSodium: 528mgPotassium: 243mgFiber: 3gSugar: 63gVitamin A: 11158IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 102mgIron: 2mg


Jill Nystul Photo

Jill Nystul (aka Jillee)

Jill Nystul is an accomplished writer and author who founded the blog One Good Thing by Jillee in 2011. With over 30 years of experience in homemaking, she has become a trusted resource for contemporary homemakers by offering practical solutions to everyday household challenges.I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

About Jillee

Jill Nystul

Jill’s 30 years of homemaking experience, make her the trusted source for practical household solutions.

About Jillee

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3.80 from 54 votes (54 ratings without comment)

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3.80 from 54 votes (54 ratings without comment)

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