Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Coffee Cake Recipe

The Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Coffee Cake brings together the cozy flavors of fall — soft pumpkin cake, warm spices, and a buttery streusel topping that melts in your mouth. Perfectly sweet and moist, this cake pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or tea.

A Quick Glimpse at Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Pumpkin coffee cake has its origins in American home baking traditions, especially popular during the fall season. The Pioneer Woman’s version keeps things simple yet irresistible — using pumpkin puree, cinnamon, and nutmeg for warmth, and finishing it with a crumbly streusel and sweet glaze. It’s the kind of recipe that makes you want to slow down and savor every bite.

Other Pioneer Woman Popular Pumpkin Recipes

• Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Bars
• Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Sheet Cake
• Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Chili
• Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
• Pioneer Woman Apple Crisp

Why This Recipe is Worth Trying

• Perfect for fall mornings – rich pumpkin flavor and warm spices.
• Soft and moist texture – stays tender for days.
• Crowd-pleasing – ideal for holidays or brunch gatherings.
• Easy to make – no mixer required, just simple mixing and baking.
• Beautiful presentation – topped with golden crumble and optional glaze.

Essential Ingredients for This Recipe

For the cake:

• All-purpose flour (2 cups)
• Baking powder (1 tsp)
• Baking soda (½ tsp)
• Salt (½ tsp)
• Ground cinnamon (2 tsp)
• Ground nutmeg (½ tsp)
• Pumpkin puree (1 cup, not pie filling)
• Brown sugar (¾ cup, packed)
• Granulated sugar (½ cup)
• Vegetable oil (½ cup)
• Eggs (2 large)
• Vanilla extract (1 tsp)
• Milk (¼ cup)

For the streusel topping:

• All-purpose flour (¾ cup)
• Brown sugar (½ cup, packed)
• Ground cinnamon (1 tsp)
• Butter (½ cup, cold and cubed)

For the glaze (optional):

• Powdered sugar (½ cup)
• Milk (1–2 tbsp)
• Vanilla extract (¼ tsp)

Useful Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Whisk and spatula
• 9×9-inch baking pan
• Oven

Directions to Make Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Step 1: Preheat the oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2: Prepare the streusel topping

In a small bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter using a fork or pastry cutter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Set aside.

Step 3: Combine dry ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Step 4: Mix wet ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth and well combined.

Step 5: Combine and assemble

Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir until just combined. Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan, sprinkle with half the streusel, then add the remaining batter and top with the remaining streusel.

Step 6: Bake

Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 7: Glaze and serve

Let the cake cool slightly. Drizzle the optional glaze over the top before slicing and serving.

What I Got Wrong (And How I Fixed It)

• Crumble melted – used cold butter and mixed lightly to keep it crumbly.
• Cake was dense – avoided overmixing the batter.
• Flavor too mild – increased cinnamon for a stronger spice profile.
• Topping too sweet – reduced sugar in streusel slightly.

Healthier Ways to Make Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Use whole wheat flour or oat flour, swap vegetable oil for coconut oil or Greek yogurt, and reduce sugar by half. For a lighter glaze, mix powdered sugar with almond milk.

Ingredient Substitutions for Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Coffee Cake

• Replace pumpkin puree with mashed sweet potato for a similar texture.
• Swap oil with unsweetened applesauce for fewer calories.
• Use maple syrup instead of part of the sugar for a richer flavor.
• Add pecans or walnuts to the streusel for crunch.

Unexpected Ways to Enjoy Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Coffee Cake

• For breakfast – enjoy with coffee or chai tea.
• As dessert – top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• For holidays – serve with spiced whipped cream.
• With friends – bake in muffin tins for mini versions.
• As a gift – wrap squares in parchment for homemade treats.

Best Tips for Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Coffee Cake Success

• Use pure pumpkin puree – not pie filling.
• Don’t overmix – keeps the cake light and airy.
• Chill butter for streusel – ensures a crisp crumb topping.
• Check early – avoid overbaking to keep it moist.
• Cool slightly before glazing – so it sets perfectly.

Tasty Twists on Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Coffee Cake

• Maple glaze version – replace milk with maple syrup.
• Pumpkin spice latte cake – add espresso powder to batter.
• Nutty streusel cake – mix chopped pecans into the topping.
• Chocolate swirl version – swirl melted chocolate into the batter.
• Cream cheese layer – add sweetened cream cheese in the center.

Best Ways to Store Your Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Coffee Cake

• Room temperature – cover tightly and store up to 3 days.
• Refrigerate – lasts up to 5 days in an airtight container.
• Freeze – wrap slices individually and freeze for up to 2 months.

Ways to Warm It Up Again

• Microwave – heat slices for 10–15 seconds.
• Oven – reheat at 325°F for 5–7 minutes for a freshly baked feel.
• Air fryer – 300°F for 3–4 minutes to re-crisp the topping.

Nutritional Breakdown (per serving, 1 of 9)

• Calories: ~340
• Protein: 4g
• Carbohydrates: 42g
• Fat: 17g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sodium: ~210mg

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FAQs

Where did pumpkin coffee cake originate?

Pumpkin coffee cake is an American creation that evolved from traditional streusel cakes and pumpkin bread recipes. It became popular in the mid-20th century as a seasonal fall treat, combining the comforting flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, and crumb topping into one easy-to-bake dessert.

How do you keep pumpkin coffee cake moist?

To keep pumpkin coffee cake moist, use pure pumpkin puree and avoid overmixing the batter. The oil or butter in the recipe helps lock in moisture, and storing the cake covered once cooled prevents it from drying out.

Can I make Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Coffee Cake ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare pumpkin coffee cake ahead of time. Bake it a day in advance, let it cool completely, and store it tightly covered at room temperature. If glazed, refrigerate and bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

Why did my streusel topping melt instead of staying crumbly?

A streusel topping melts when the butter is too soft or overmixed. Always use cold butter and gently mix until the texture resembles coarse crumbs. This ensures the topping bakes up crisp and crumbly instead of flat.

Wrapping It Up

The Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Coffee Cake is everything a fall treat should be — moist, fragrant, and comforting. With its buttery streusel topping and subtle pumpkin spice flavor, it’s perfect for cozy mornings or festive gatherings. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, this coffee cake will become a seasonal favorite you’ll bake again and again.