Description

Chocolate Pumpkin Cake is the perfect blend of autumn spice and dark chocolate richness. Pumpkin purée keeps this cake incredibly moist while enhancing the deep cocoa flavor. The result is a beautifully spiced cake that’s not overly sweet, ideal for chilly evenings, fall gatherings, or holiday desserts. Top it with chocolate ganache, whipped cream, or enjoy it plain with a hot drink.

Ingredients

Scale

For the cake:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp salt
¾ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
1 cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup buttermilk (or ½ cup milk + 1 tsp vinegar)

Optional chocolate ganache topping:

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup heavy cream

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round or square cake pan.
Mix dry ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Mix wet ingredients:
In a separate bowl, combine sugar, brown sugar, and oil. Beat in pumpkin purée, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk.
Combine:
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir until just combined—don’t overmix.
Bake:
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
Make the ganache (optional):
Heat heavy cream until just steaming. Pour over chocolate chips in a bowl. Let sit for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth. Pour over cooled cake.

Notes

Make it a layer cake: Double the recipe and bake in two 9-inch pans
Add chocolate chips: Stir ½ cup into the batter for extra decadence
Make it dairy-free: Use non-dairy milk + lemon juice instead of buttermilk, and skip the ganache
Turn it into cupcakes: Bake for 18–20 minutes in lined muffin tins
Spice it up: Add a pinch of cloves or ginger for deeper flavor

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Cakes
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 26g
Sodium: 220mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 44g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 50mg