Pumpkin Dulce de Leche Cake from Milk Bar features moist spiced pumpkin layers infused with rich, caramelized dulce de leche, topped with a creamy frosting and garnished with crunchy streusel, delivering a harmonious blend of sweet, spicy, and buttery textures.
Equipments
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- 6-inch cake pans (usually 3)
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
- Oven
- Cooling rack
- Offset spatula
- Serrated knife or cake leveler
- Cake ring (6-inch)
- Acetate cake strips
- Spoon
- Saucepan (for dulce de leche or streusel, if homemade)
- Food scale (optional, for precision)
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups (320g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (110g) light brown sugar
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 cups (510g) dulce de leche (store-bought or homemade)
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (for frosting)
- 1/2 cup (70g) all-purpose flour (for streusel)
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar (for streusel)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for streusel)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (for streusel)
- 4 tablespoons (55g) unsalted butter, melted (for streusel)
When selecting ingredients, use fresh, high-quality pumpkin puree to ensure a rich, natural flavor in your Pumpkin Dulce de Leche Cake. Measure spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves precisely to maintain the perfect balance of sweet and warm notes across the cake layers and streusel topping. Granulated sugar combined with light brown sugar creates the ideal moisture and caramelization, while unsalted butter should be softened to room temperature for proper mixing and texture. Your dulce de leche can be store-bought or homemade; just make sure it is thick and caramelized for that signature depth of flavor. This copycat Pumpkin Dulce de Leche Cake from Milk Bar replicates the classic combination of moist spiced pumpkin layers and luscious dulce de leche, finished with creamy frosting and crumbly streusel for a perfect holiday dessert.
Instructions
- Pumpkin Dulce de Leche Cake - Instructions List:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease three 6-inch cake pans and line bottoms with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a stand mixer, cream together granulated sugar, brown sugar, and butter until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition.
- Mix in vanilla extract and pumpkin puree until fully combined.
- Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture, beginning and ending with dry, mixing just to combine.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
- For streusel: In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in melted butter until large crumbs form.
- Spread streusel onto a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes, stirring once, until golden. Let cool.
- For frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until light and smooth.
- Level cakes if needed using a serrated knife or cake leveler.
- Place a cake round in a 6-inch cake ring lined with acetate strip.
- Spread a layer of dulce de leche on top of cake layer.
- Spread an even layer of frosting over dulce de leche.
- Sprinkle a portion of streusel over frosting.
- Repeat stacking layers: cake, dulce de leche, frosting, streusel.
- Top with final cake layer and cover with frosting.
- Garnish top with remaining streusel.
- Chill assembled cake in the fridge for at least 2–3 hours (or overnight) for clean slices.
- Remove cake ring and acetate. Slice and serve.
Substitution
Pumpkin Dulce de Leche Cake from Milk Bar copycat recipe allows some flexibility in ingredient substitutions to accommodate your kitchen inventory or dietary preferences. If buttermilk is unavailable, you can easily make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk, letting it sit for 5-10 minutes before using. For the dulce de leche, store-bought versions are convenient, but homemade dulce de leche made by simmering sweetened condensed milk provides a rich, authentic flavor that enhances the cake's depth. When preparing the streusel, you can swap granulated sugar for brown sugar to add extra moisture and caramel notes. Your use of parchment paper in the 6-inch cake pans ensures easy cake removal and clean edges, which is helpful for assembling the layer cake neatly.
Tips
Measure your ingredients precisely to ensure the right texture and flavor, especially the spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves which are key to the cake's signature taste. When mixing the batter, alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry, to avoid overmixing and keep the cake tender. Use parchment paper to line your cake pans and grease them well to prevent sticking and make removing the layers easier after baking. Chill your assembled cake in the fridge for at least 2-3 hours to help the layers set properly, giving you clean, neat slices when serving your Pumpkin Dulce de Leche Cake.
Nutritions
Pumpkin Dulce de Leche Cake combines nutrient-rich pumpkin puree, a good source of fiber and vitamin A, with protein and calcium from cream cheese and butter in the frosting. The cake also contains carbohydrates from all-purpose flour and sugars, providing energy but contributing to higher calorie content. Spices like cinnamon and nutmeg add antioxidants without extra calories. Being mindful of portion size can help you enjoy this indulgent dessert while managing your nutritional intake.
Storage
Store your Pumpkin Dulce de Leche Cake in an airtight container or cake dome in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and preserve the delicate texture of the spiced pumpkin layers and creamy frosting. Keep the cake chilled for up to 4 days to prevent spoilage of the cream cheese frosting and dulce de leche filling. Before serving, let the cake sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to enhance its flavor and softness.
Variation or Alternatives
You can substitute canned pumpkin puree with homemade roasted pumpkin puree for a fresher, more intense flavor. Experiment with adding 1/4 teaspoon of ground cardamom or allspice to the spice mix to enhance the warm spice profile. Replace buttermilk with Greek yogurt thinned with a little milk for a tangier batter that tenderizes the crumb. For a quicker dulce de leche, gently warm store-bought dulce de leche in a saucepan over low heat to soften it before assembling the layers.
Allergies
Pumpkin Dulce de Leche Cake contains common allergens such as milk, eggs, and wheat, which may trigger reactions in sensitive individuals. The presence of cream cheese, butter, buttermilk, and dulce de leche indicates dairy allergens, while flour includes gluten that can affect those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Be sure to review ingredient labels carefully if you or your guests have food allergies to avoid adverse reactions.
Why this recipe?
Pumpkin Dulce de Leche Cake from Milk Bar is loved for its unique blend of spiced pumpkin flavor and creamy dulce de leche layers that create a rich, indulgent experience. The cake's moist texture combined with the sweet and slightly salty caramel notes makes it a standout dessert for fall and beyond. Your taste buds will appreciate the balanced sweetness and the distinctive Milk Bar touch that elevates a classic pumpkin dessert. Creating a copycat recipe allows you to enjoy this seasonal favorite at home, customizing sweetness and spice levels to your preference.