3 Ingredient Pumpkin Cake with Spiced Yogurt Topping

This 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Cake couldn’t be easier and tastes amazing topped with an easy Spiced Yogurt Topping.

It’s Pumpkin Season!

The Thanksgiving season is such a great time of year. I get to cook and bake some of my favorite recipes and get together with good friends and family. Such a great time to slow down a little from the day-to-day hustle.

And, when you think about what Fall flavors you can enjoy this time of year, the pumpkin flavor is right up there for me. There are so many great pumpkin recipes out there to choose from. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin coffee cake, pumpkin bars. So many pumpkin treats!

You also can’t forget the all-encompassing pumpkin pie spice. Pumpkin spice lattes have to be the top seller this time of year at any coffee shop!

3 Ingredient Pumpkin Cake

Now, I know pumpkin pie is the classic dessert at Thanksgiving, but maybe someone doesn’t like pumpkin pie (gasp!) or you want to have other options available. A moist pumpkin spice cake might be just what you need.

But, we also know that we often have less time rather than more time during the holidays, so an easy recipe to make a delicious cake is certainly welcome. And, that’s what we have here with this 3 ingredient pumpkin cake. It’s such a simple recipe.

With only needing a few simple ingredients and less than an hour to make, this is an easy pumpkin cake recipe to make for Thanksgiving. For the cake, you simply mix the dry ingredients (yellow boxed cake mix and pumpkin pie spice) together with the wet ingredients (which is just the canned pumpkin puree) and spoon the cake batter into individual ramekin bowls. With a baking time of 25-30 minutes, you have pumpkin cake in no time!  

Wait – Is This a Pumpkin Dump Cake?

This is a variation on a dump cake. The simplest of dump cakes usually use some type of fruit filling, a cake mix and some butter mixed together and “dumped” into a cake pan. Others use more wet ingredients like sweetened condensed milk, vegetable oil, butter and/or eggs.

In this case, we are basically doing the same thing with an even shorter ingredient list by mixing together the cake mix, pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice together. However, we do elevate this a bit by pouring the cake batter into ramekins to create individual cakes for each person. A nice little touch for your holiday get-togethers! 

Why Spiced Yogurt Topping?

That’s a good question! You could certainly go with a cream cheese frosting or a nice creme fraiche. Both would be delicious. 

But, sometimes you might not find already-made creme fraiche at your local grocery store. Or, cream cheese isn’t your thing. I made this with Greek yogurt because you can always find it at the grocery store and it’s super easy to work with.

 Can You Freeze the Cake Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! See below in Tips and Tricks on how to freeze. When you are ready to serve, let each individual cake completely thaw and make the Spiced Yogurt Topping. I would put the cake in the microwave for a few seconds to warm it up and then top with the Spiced Yogurt.

The Perfect Pumpkin Cake for the Holidays

So, if you’re looking for easy cakes to make around the Thanksgiving holiday, look no further. This 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Cake with Spiced Yogurt Topping is perfect for the occasion!

Tips and Tricks

• Any yellow boxed cake mix will work for this recipe. If you don’t have a yellow cake mix on hand, a white boxed cake mix can be substituted.
• I use fat free Greek yogurt for the spiced yogurt topping, but 2% or whole milk yogurt works equally well.
• If you don’t have a hand mixer, you can mix this by hand, either with a wooden spoon or a whisk.
• To remove the cakes from the ramekins, gently run a knife around the cake. Then take a plate and place it over the top of the ramekin. Carefully invert the ramekin and plate together to release the cake onto the plate.
• The cake can be served warm or at room temperature. But, I do think it tastes best warm.
• The cake freezes very well if you want to make it ahead of time. Let it cool to room temperature and don’t put the spiced yogurt glaze on top. Take each individual cake out of the ramekin and put them into an airtight container to freeze.
• You can also cover in plastic wrap if you don’t have access to an airtight container. You can freeze for around three months.

Ingredients Needed to Make 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Cake with Spiced Yogurt Topping

Full instructions can be found below in the recipe card

• Yellow boxed cake mix
• Canned pumpkin puree – Make sure that you’re using pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling is already sweetened and has pumpkin pie spice added. You want plain pumpkin purée for this recipe.
• Pumpkin pie spice – This is a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove and allspice. Pumpkin pie spice is also readily available at your regular grocery store.
• Greek yogurt – I prefer to use fat free, but 2% or whole milk Greek yogurt would also work just fine
• Powdered sugar

How to Make 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Cake with Spice Yogurt Topping

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Spray 8 ramekins (8 oz) with cooking spray.
• Combine cake mix, pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl.
• Beat with a hand mixer for about 2 minutes until well combined.
• Spoon cake batter into prepared ramekins or cake pan.
• Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
• While cake is baking, prepare topping.
• Combine Greek yogurt with powdered sugar and pumpkin pie spice.
• Let cake cool for about 10 minutes.
• Run a knife around the edge of the ramekin and invert cake onto a plate.
• Top with a generous dollop of the spiced yogurt topping.
• Serve while still warm.

More Fall Pumpkin Recipes

• Soft and Moist Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese
• Easy Pumpkin Hummus
• Baked Pumpkin Spice Donuts
• Instant Pot Pumpkin Applesauce
• Pumpkin Overnight French Toast Casserole
• Pumpkin Goat Cheese Skillet Dip

ENJOY!