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    Ask Chef Dennis » Recipes » Dessert Recipes » Cake Recipes » The Original Pumpkin Crunch Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

    The Original Pumpkin Crunch Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

    Published: Nov 4, 2018 · Modified: Nov 15, 2021 by Chef Dennis Littley · 312 Comments·This post includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    4.80 from 98 votes
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    pinterest image for pumpkin crunch cake

    My Pumpkin Crunch Cake is the original version that you see all over the internet. And believe me when I tell you it will be the best cake you’ve ever tasted! In fact, your family and friends will verify that statement when you serve it to them.

    pumpkin crunch with slices taken out on a white platter

    When I was asked to come up with a dish that was Holiday tradition in my homes, it was a no-brainer for me. One very special dessert came to mind,  a dessert that usually makes one or two appearances a year, depending upon the parties I host.

    But you can be guaranteed that sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas you’ll see this extra special cake. It’s also a cake I made for our engagement party the very first year Lisa and I were together.

    Since I usually end up eating 75% of the cake by myself, it’s a good thing I don’t make it more often…sigh. Last year I did start distributing wedges of cake to the neighbors, which got me a marriage proposal in the process….luckily her husband took it in stride as did Lisa!

    So when you make this cake for your family and friends be prepared, and also have extra copies of the recipe on hand, because you’re going to need them! This cake is just that good!

    Holiday’s can be a very special time, we have been blessed as food bloggers, not only do we have enough to eat, but we have enough to make dishes to blog about……not everyone is that fortunate, and although it should be in our thoughts the entire year, this time of year it needs to be at the top of our list.

    What Ingredients do I need to make the Crunch Layer for the Pumpkin Crunch Cake?

    ingredients for crunch topping in glass bowls

    These are the ingredients in their ready form to make the crunch layer and crunch topping for the outside of the cake. Vanilla wafers and walnuts ground in a food processor. Brown sugar and melted butter.

    crunch topping in a glass bowl with a blue spatula

    Blend all the ingredients together to make the crunch topping. The crunch topping should be just wet enough to form it. If it’s too dry add a little more melted butter.

    crunch layer in cake pan

    Add one very full cup of topping to each pan.

    What ingredients do I need to make the pumpkin crunch cake?

    ingredients to make pumpkin crunch cake in glass bowls

    Gather the ingredients to make the pumpkin cake. In Chef Speak this is called the Mise en Place which translates into Everything in its Place.

    **Make sure to get pumpkin puree NOT pumpkin pie mix. Eggs, butter and yogurt should be at room temperature

    How do I make the pumpkin cake batter?

    4 steps in making the pumpkin cake

    There are four steps in making the cake batter.

    • Whip the softened butter and sugar for about 5 minutes to get it light and fluffy. Scrape down the bowl frequently
    • Add in the pumpkin, Greek yogurt, vanilla and pumpkin pie seasoning. Mix well.
    • Add the flour mixture (flour, baking soda, baking powder). Mix just enough to incorporate the flour.
    • Add the eggs and mix just enough to blend.
    pumpkin cake batter added to cake pan with a black handled spatula next to it

    When the cake batter is completed, split it equally among the four prepared cake pans.

    **Be careful spreading the batter, you don’t want to pull up the crunch topping. Using an offset spatula makes this process much easier.

    one layer of the pumpkin cake frosted

    When the cake has completely cooled, you can start frosting the layers.

    **Don’t rush this step, or the layers will start sliding off the cake. You can let the cakes cool overnight to be sure and make the cream cheese frosting ahead of time and let it chill. If the frosting is too hard, whip it with your mixer to soften it up enough to spread.

    pumpkin crunch cake frosted on a white platter

    Repeat the process with the layers until all four have been stacked. Then put a crumb coat of the cream cheese frosting on the entire cake.

    **If you are better at frosting than I am, you can skip the crunch topping that covers the cake.

    Coat the cake with the crunch topping by placing your hand along the side of the cake and dropping the topping along the sides. Keep turning the cake until the entire cake has been coated. Add a layer of the crunch on the top of the cake or leave the top plain, it’s up to you.

    slice of pumpkin crunch cake on a white platter with a fork

    Once your incredibly delicious Pumpkin Crunch Cake is finished, it should be allowed to chill for a few hours before cutting, it will help firm up this cake (When you do cut it make sure to use a serrated knife). So try to be patient.

    FAQ Pumpkin Crunch Cake

    Can you make pumpkin crunch cake ahead of time?

    Yes you can, this cake can be made up to 2 days ahead of time.

    Does a pumpkin crunch cake need to be refrigerated?

    Yes, it does. The cake should be taken out of refrigeration 30 minutes before serving but kept in the refrigerator the rest of the time.

    Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin?

    Yes, you can. Just make sure that the fresh pumpkin is not loose or liquid. The texture needs to be thick and dense.

    Can I make a two-layer version of this cake?

    Yes, you can. Just cut the recipe in half?

    Do I have to frost the sides of the cake and use more of the crunch topping to decorate?

    No, you don’t. You can eliminate the additional crunch topping and frosting. Just frost between the layers if you like and serve it topped with whipped cream.

    Kitchen tools I use for my cakes

    • offset spatula (essential for bakers)
    • 9-inch USA Pan Bakeware cake pans
    • 9-inch parchment cake circles
    • silicone spatulas
    • wire whisk
    • mixing bowls

    More Dessert Recipes You’ll Love!

    • Amethyst Cheesecake Torte Recipe
    • Classic Pumpkin Roll Recipe For Your Holiday Table
    • Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake Recipe for your Holiday Table
    • Bourbon Pecan Pie with Chocolate Ganache

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

    pumpkin crunch cake with cream cheese frosting
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    4.80 from 98 votes

    Pumpkin Crunch Cake

    What better way to celebrate the season than with my Pumpkin Crunch Cake!  It will definitely bring smiles to your table and soon become your new family fall tradition.
    Prep Time45 mins
    Cook Time35 mins
    Total Time1 hr 20 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 20
    Calories: 942kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    Crunch Topping

    • 3 cups walnuts finely chopped
    • 3 cups vanilla wafers about 75 cookies
    • 3 cups brown sugar
    • 8 oz butter

    Pumpkin Crunch Cake

    • 1 ¼ cup sugar
    • 6 oz softened butter
    • 16 oz can solid pack pumpkin not pumpkin pie mix
    • 2 ½ cups flour
    • ½ cup Greek yogurt
    • 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla
    • 1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
    • 2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
    • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 4 large eggs

    Cream Cheese Frosting

    • 24 oz cream cheese
    • 16 oz mascarpone * you can use cream cheese instead of mascarpone
    • 8 oz softened butter
    • 2 cups confectioners sugar
    • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Crunch Topping

    • Melt Butter
    • In a food processor, pulse cookies to a fine crumb
    • Pulse walnuts to a fine chop
    • Mix cookie crumbs, walnuts and brown sugar together, blending well.
    • Add in Melted Butter and mix together.
      *if the mixture is too dry add additional melted butter
    • Divide mixture into 4 prepared (greased and floured) cake pans – standard 9-inch rounds (One very full cup per pan), pressing into bottom and spreading it evenly into the cake pans. Reserve about 2 cups of the mixture which will be baked to use on the sides of the cake.
      I** like using a parchment cake circle in the bottom, the cake releases easily.
    • Set pans aside and begin cake.
    • Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.
    • Bake the reserved crunch mix for 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees F. Or until it crisps up a bit. Don't let it burn!
      Allow to cool before adding to the sides and top of the cake.

    Pumpkin Cake

    • In your mixer beat sugar and butter for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy, scraping down the bowl frequently.
    • Add in the pumpkin, Greek yogurt, vanilla and pumpkin pie seasoning. Mix well.
    • Add the flour mixture (flour, baking soda, baking powder). Mix just enough to incorporate the flour.
    • Add in the eggs, one at a time just until blended.
    • Divide batter equally into your 4 prepared cake pans, smooth it out and make it as even as possible in the pan.
      **Be careful spreading the batter, you don't want to pull up the crunch topping. Using an offset spatula makes this process much easier.
    • Bake in a 350-degree oven for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If you use 2 racks to bake on in the oven, at the halfway mark rotate the pans.
    • Allow pans to cool about 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack and allow to completely cool.
    • while your cakes are baking prepare a Cream Cheese Frosting.

    Cream Cheese Frosting

    • Whip the cream cheese, mascarpone, and butter till very smooth and creamy
    • Slowly add in the confectioner's sugar while the mixer is on low setting
    • Add in vanilla and mix well. Set aside till needed.

    Assembly

    • After your cake is completely cooled (you can even refrigerate for a few hours) begin frosting the layers and putting the cake together.
      **Don't rush this step, or the layers will start sliding off the cake. You can let the cakes cool overnight to be sure and make the cream cheese frosting ahead of time and let it chill. If the frosting is too hard, whip it with your mixer to soften it up enough to spread.
    • When you have assembled all the layers with some frosting between them, start to spread the remaining frosting on the sides and top.
    • Coat the cake with the crunch topping by placing your hand along the side of the cake and dropping the topping along the sides. Keep turning the cake until the entire cake has been coated. Add a layer of the crunch on the top of the cake or leave the top plain, it's up to you.

    Video

    Notes

    *You can substitute cream cheese for the Mascarpone, I don’t always have it on hand. You may want to increase the butter a bit cutting that amount from the cream cheese. If you have a favorite cream cheese frosting recipe, use that!
    *feel free to eliminate the extra frosting on the sides of the cake and the additional crunch topping on the sides, the original cake was served simply with only whipped cream between the layers.
    **I always use standard size 9 inch round cake pans. You can use other size pans but your cooking times will need to be adjusted
    ****If your cake sticks to the bottom of the pan, place it on a burner of your stove for about 15 seconds, the heat will help release the cake from the pan. This process works for all cakes. Just be careful and judge how hot and evenly your stove top heats the pan.
    After heating place a plate on top of the pan, and invert quickly. Tap the pan with the heel of a knife to help release the cake.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 942kcal | Carbohydrates: 88g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 63g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Cholesterol: 170mg | Sodium: 540mg | Potassium: 323mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 64g | Vitamin A: 5148IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 159mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

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    About Chef Dennis

    Picture of Chef Dennis

    Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Terri Ebersole

      December 05, 2021 at 6:37 pm

      5 stars
      Is that 3 cups walnuts to start and then finely ground or 3 cups finely ground walnuts?
      I make this every Christmas and yet this year I am confused about the walnuts (age, I guess).

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        December 05, 2021 at 7:21 pm

        3 cups before you chop them. I feel your pain…. I can’t remember anything these days

        Reply
    2. monika

      November 18, 2021 at 10:16 am

      I just made this cake & it is very dense…heavy almost! more like a cheesecake????

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        November 18, 2021 at 10:31 am

        yes it is, it’s a very dense and moist cake.

        Reply
    3. Dawn

      November 12, 2021 at 12:59 am

      It seems like a tremendous amount of cream cheeses for the frosting, equaling 2.5 pounds and .5 lb butter, with only two cups powdered sugar?

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        November 12, 2021 at 7:21 am

        That’s how the recipe is made, but feel free to make the frosting sweeter if thats what you like.

        Reply
    4. Jen

      November 01, 2021 at 5:11 am

      5 stars
      Hi! Am I able to make this into a two layer instead of four?? Using a 9 inch round pan

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        November 01, 2021 at 8:50 am

        I would just cut the recipe in half if you want to make 2 layers.

        Reply
    5. nicole

      October 16, 2021 at 11:42 am

      5 stars
      Making now and can’t wait to try. Chef Dennis, did you use salted or unsalted butter in each of the components…Crunch topping, cake and cream cheese frosting?
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        October 16, 2021 at 2:16 pm

        I use unsalted butter for all my cooking

        Reply
        • Angela Benavidez

          November 10, 2021 at 12:52 pm

          Hello, I am allergic to all tree nuts, so it makes it difficult as a Chef myself to taste everything I make. In this recipe would it make a huge difference in texture if I leave out the nuts or do you suggest another option? I’m asking out of respect since it is your recipe. Thank you

        • Chef Dennis Littley

          November 10, 2021 at 4:14 pm

          you need something for the crunch. I would suggest anything you normally replace nuts with as an alternative.

    6. Ivana

      October 14, 2021 at 11:57 am

      Hi Chef Dennis, is the measurement of the brown sugar 3 cups ‘packed’? I am making the cake this weekend for my son’s birthday.
      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        October 14, 2021 at 3:54 pm

        yes packed is good.

        Reply
        • Ivana

          October 21, 2021 at 12:18 pm

          5 stars
          Hi Chef Dennis, I made the cake for my son’s birthday and it was a hit! Everyone loved it (including the neighbors whom we shared with). This is the ultimate decadent cake. It is now my son’s annual birthday cake. thank you for sharing!

    7. Nina Riggins

      October 04, 2021 at 12:45 pm

      Do you think I can use this recipe to make cupcakes? If so, would baking time and temp be the same?

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        October 04, 2021 at 1:20 pm

        This cake doesn’t rise very much and is very dense, I don’t think it would make a good cupcake.

        Reply
    8. Betty Miyahira

      May 22, 2021 at 6:04 pm

      I have not made this cake yet but would like to try to make it. Can this cake be baked as just one layer in perhaps a 9 X13″ pan? More people can be served and some people would like smaller piece of the cake.

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        May 22, 2021 at 8:25 pm

        If you use this recipe it will make two 9×13 pans.

        Reply
    9. Kim Motley

      January 05, 2021 at 4:08 pm

      Hello I saw 2 different things for the mascarpone. Is it cheese or cream cheese? I see Mascarpone Cheese and Mascarpone cream cheese. Thanks

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        January 05, 2021 at 4:13 pm

        mascarpone is sort of Italian cream cheese, if you can’t find it you can use all cream cheese

        Reply
        • Kim Motley

          January 08, 2021 at 4:04 pm

          Thank you!

    10. Natalie

      November 23, 2020 at 6:13 am

      5 stars
      What a beautiful cake. Perfect for the upcoming Thanksgiving celebration. I love that crunch in-between layers. Makes the cake so much more interesting. I will definitely make this for my family.

      Reply
    11. Gunjan

      November 22, 2020 at 11:51 pm

      I have never baked a 4 layer cake. Your recipe looks so doable. I am so excited to try it over the weekend.

      Reply
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