Fall just became unforgettable with this decadent Chocolate Pumpkin Cake.
This Chocolate Pumpkin Cake, aka Chocolate Harvest Cake, is layered with moist chocolate cake, pumpkin cream cheese filling, and a chocolate ganache. The best news is that it’s so straightforward you can make it on repeat all through the fall season.
This Chocolate Harvest Cake is in my Top 5 of chocolate cakes. I have a Top 10 list, but this is in my Top 5. It is easy to prepare – just 10 minutes to make the batter!
My Favorite Kitchen Tools To Make This Recipe
From trusty pots and pans to handy gadgets, I’ve curated a list of products I use and love.
The pumpkin cream cheese filling and glaze are just as easy. It is a great dessert to serve any time of the year, but of course, fall was made so that we could serve this chocolaty pumpkin dream.
Recipe Inspiration
Years ago, I got this recipe from a friend who tore it out of a magazine while sitting at the doctor’s office, and since then, I have made this cake every year.
I still love looking at the copy she gave me; it has oil and chocolate stains. And even though the recipe will be here now, I can’t throw that piece of paper away; it brings back too many fond memories.
How to Make Chocolate Ganache
The finishing touch for this beautiful chocolate pumpkin cake is the rich and decadent chocolate ganache topping.
- Whipping cream
- Semisweet chocolate chips
Bring the cream to a boil in a saucepan. Remove the pan from the heat and add the chocolate chips. Do not mix or stir them in, let the chocolate sit for five minutes.
After five minutes, stir the mixture until smooth. Let it cool for about 15 minutes, and then pour the ganache over the cake so it slowly drips down the sides. Chill the cake in the fridge for 30 minutes or until the ganache is set.
Chocolate Pumpkin Cake Recipe Tips
Enjoy this chocolate pumpkin cake; I promise you won’t be disappointed. It’s not fall until I’ve made a chocolate harvest cake at our house – it’s a beautiful way to welcome the new season.
Pair this With…
pin to pinterest.
Chocolate Harvest Cake
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- 1 cup buttermilk or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice, stir and let it sit for 5 minutes
- 1 cup water
- 2/3 cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Pumpkin Cream Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1/3 cup canned pumpkin
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Chocolate Glaze
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350º F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans or a 9×13 pan with cooking spray and lightly dust with some flour, then set aside.
- In mixing bowl, add buttermilk, water, oil, sugar, eggs, baking soda, and salt; stir together until it is well combined. Add in flour and cocoa powder and whisk until smooth and there are no lumps.
- Pour batter evenly into prepared pan(s).
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, until you can lightly touch the center and it springs back. Cool pans on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes, then remove cake and allow to completely cool on the wire rack. Once cooled prepare filling.
- In a mixing bowl beat together cream cheese, pumpkin, sugar, and cinnamon until well combined and thick.
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate, I like to use a cake stand. Evenly spread the filling on top of the bottom layer, then add the second cake on top. Make the Chocolate Glaze.
- In a small sauce pan add the whipping cream and bring to a boil, remove from heat and add in chocolate chips. Do not mix or stir them in, let the chocolate sit for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, stir until smooth. Let it cool for about 15 minutes, then pour over cake, allowing it to slowly drip down the sides. Set the cake in the fridge and let it chill for 30 minutes, until cake is set.
- Serve once the glaze is set and enjoy!
Notes
This cake looks divine!
I don’t think the ingredients could sound any more heavenly..and that picture, man that’s calling my name !
This looks SO amazing! Wishing I had a piece right now!
This looks amazing! And I don’t usually like chocolate cake! I will have to make this soon!
Oh man this looks so delicious!!! Pinned!
amazing!! I love the layers!! I’m not very good at the layer thing, so I’m always super impressed by your layer cakes..mmmmm
I can see why this in the Top 5. It looks amazing!
That looks gorgeous! My husband would be drooling over this with the pumpkin in the middle. Seriously yummy!!
This cake does look worthy of making it at least once a year! Thanks for sharing!
Wow, this looks so heavenly!
As always this cake looks absolutely delicious. I would love to have this on our Thanksgiving dessert table. Or better yet, how impressive would this be to take to a party! Love it!
What a beautiful cake! The pumpkin cream filling sounds divine!
That’s just an amazing looking cake. Gorgeous!
oh this looks divine! Can’t wait to try this!
I love, love, love this cake, Sandra!
You should find a way to turn the recipe into a gift as a reminder of your friendship! The cake looks beautiful!
Oh My Goodness! That is so yummy and delicious that I’m practically speechless now!
This Was Great! Made It For Thanksgiving. My Wants Me To Make It Again.
Oh my goodness, Chocolate Harvest Cake looks delicious! I’m definitely making this! thanks for sharing!
This is the best cake on the planet. My hubby makes it for me every year!!
This cake is amazing. I make this every year for my family and they love it.
Thank you, I’m so glad you love it!
I need this in my life right now! It looks so delicious!
So many yummy layers! My new favorite cake!