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A close-up of an unfrosted pumpkin bundt cake
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Meaningful Eats

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cake

12 servings
This is the BEST pumpkin bundt cake I've ever had! My #1 tip for gluten-free pumpkin cake – don't use butter. Yes! You read that right. A combination of oil/shortening makes for the most perfect crumb.
Full of fall spices, this gluten-free pumpkin cake is everything you love about fall!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Diet Gluten Free
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups gluten-free 1:1 baking flour 320 grams
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice*
  • 1 teaspoons baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt

Other Ingredients

  • ½ cup shortening 96 grams
  • 1 cup granulated sugar 200 grams
  • ¾ cup brown sugar 160 grams
  • ½ cup vegetable oil 110 grams
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 15 oz can pure pumpkin

For the Frosting

  • 1 tablespoon butter softened
  • 3 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar 130 grams plus more as needed
  • 1-2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Generously grease a 12-cup capacity bundt pan.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the shortening, granulated sugar and brown sugar on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until creamed. Add the oil, vanilla and eggs and mix until smooth, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl halfway through.
  • With the mixer running on low, add ⅓ of the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Add ½ the pumpkin and continue to mix. Repeat, alternating with the remaining flour and pumpkin.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and smooth the top.
  • Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean and the top feels slightly firm to the touch.
  • Cool the cake in the pan for 20-30 minutes. Then carefully insert the pan, to let the cake slide out and continue cooling on a wire rack.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting. To make the frosting, in a medium bowl beat together the butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy.
  • Beat in the powdered sugar followed by the milk and vanilla.
  • Beat in a little extra powdered sugar or milk if needed, until the glaze is thin enough to drizzle.
  • Place the cake on a serving platter and drizzle with the glaze.
  • Slice and enjoy!

Notes

MAKE IT DAIRY-FREE: Use Kite Hill cream cheese and Earth Balance buttery sticks to make a dairy-free glaze.
RECIPE NOTES
  • I highly recommend Domino granulated sugar for this recipe — it creams well with the butter and makes a lighter crumb.
  • Don't skip the shortening! This ingredient is the key to a gluten-free pumpkin cake with an amazing crumb. Because it has a higher melting point than butter, it allows the flour to absorb evenly, resulting in a moist and tender crumb.
  • Be sure to use 100% pure pumpkin and NOT pumpkin pie filling.
  • You can use 2 teaspoons cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ginger powder, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and ⅛ teaspoon ground clove in place of the pumpkin pie spice.

Nutrition

Calories: 346kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 263mg | Potassium: 218mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 5945IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 2mg