Dairy-Free Pumpkin Spice Walnut Cake [gluten-free + refined sugar-free]

This dairy-free, gluten-free pumpkin spice walnut cake is the perfect cozy fall dessert. It’s soft, moist, warmly spiced, and packed with pumpkin and crunchy walnuts. Made with simple ingredients like pumpkin puree, applesauce, date sugar, and oat flour, this easy pumpkin cake is naturally dairy-free and can easily be made gluten-free.

Whether you’re looking for a healthier pumpkin dessert for Thanksgiving, a fall birthday cake, or simply a delicious way to use a can of pumpkin, this pumpkin spice walnut cake is one you’ll want to make all season long.

Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Spice Walnut Cake

There’s so much to love about this easy pumpkin cake!

• Soft and moist: Pumpkin puree and applesauce give the cake an incredibly tender texture.
• Full of fall flavor: Pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and date syrup create that classic warm and cozy pumpkin spice flavor.
• Dairy-free: There’s no milk, butter, or other dairy in the cake itself.
• Gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free oat flour to make the cake completely gluten-free.
• Easy to make: The batter comes together in just a couple of bowls.
• Perfect for fall: It’s delicious for Thanksgiving, holiday gatherings, or an everyday autumn dessert.
• Crunchy walnuts: Chopped walnuts add the perfect texture and complement the soft pumpkin cake.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gluten-Free Oat Flour

Use certified gluten-free oat flour if you need the cake to be completely gluten-free. You can also use regular all-purpose flour if gluten is not a concern.

Pumpkin Puree

Canned pumpkin puree gives this cake its signature pumpkin flavor and keeps the crumb soft and moist. Be sure to use pure pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling.

Pumpkin Pie Spice

Pumpkin pie spice adds plenty of warm fall flavor. You can adjust the amount slightly depending on how strongly spiced you like your pumpkin desserts.

Date Sugar

Date sugar adds sweetness and a subtle caramel-like flavor that pairs especially well with pumpkin and walnuts.

Applesauce

Applesauce helps keep the cake moist while adding natural sweetness.

Neutral Oil

A neutral-flavored oil creates a tender cake without overpowering the pumpkin spice flavor. Avocado, canola, or another mild oil will work well.

Eggs Or Egg Whites

You can use either 3 egg whites or 2 whole eggs. Both options work well in this recipe.

Date Syrup

Date syrup adds natural sweetness without added sugars.

Walnuts

Roughly chopped walnuts add a delicious crunch throughout the cake. For the best texture, avoid chopping them too finely.

How To Make Pumpkin Spice Walnut Cake

Step 1: Prepare The Cake Pans

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Butter and flour two 9-inch cake pans, then set them aside.

If you need the cake to be completely dairy-free, use a dairy-free butter or oil to grease the pans.

Step 2: Mix The Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine the gluten-free oat flour, pumpkin pie spice, sea salt, and baking soda. Stir until everything is evenly distributed.

Step 3: Mix The Wet Ingredients

In a separate large bowl, whisk together the applesauce, neutral oil, egg whites or eggs, pumpkin puree, date syrup, date sugar, and vanilla extract.

Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Combine The Batter

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.

Fold in the roughly chopped walnuts, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 5: Bake The Cake

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.

Bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until the cake begins to pull away from the sides of the pans and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Step 6: Cool And Frost

Allow the cakes to cool for at least 1 hour before removing them from the pans.

Once cooled, carefully invert the cakes onto a plate or cake stand. Frost and decorate as desired.

Tips For The Best Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cake

• Use pure pumpkin puree. Pumpkin pie filling contains added sugar and spices and will change the texture and flavor of the cake.
• Don’t overmix the batter. Stir just until the ingredients are incorporated for the softest cake.
• Let the cake cool completely. Cooling for at least an hour makes the layers much easier to remove from the pans and frost.
• Use certified gluten-free oat flour. Oats are naturally gluten-free, but cross-contamination can occur during processing. Look for certified gluten-free oat flour if necessary.
• Chop the walnuts roughly. Larger pieces give the cake a more satisfying crunch.
• Check the cake early. Oven temperatures can vary, so start checking around the 35-minute mark.

How To Serve Pumpkin Spice Walnut Cake

This pumpkin spice walnut cake is delicious on its own, but frosting takes it to the next level. Try topping it with your favorite dairy-free frosting, vanilla frosting, cream cheese-style frosting, or a simple dusting of powdered sugar.

For an extra fall-inspired dessert, add a sprinkle of chopped walnuts and a little pumpkin pie spice over the top.

Can I Make This Cake Gluten-Free?

Yes! To make this pumpkin spice cake gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oat flour. The remaining ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but always check individual ingredient labels if you have a severe allergy or need to avoid cross-contamination.

Can I Make This Pumpkin Cake Dairy-Free?

Yes. The cake itself is dairy-free. If you’re frosting the cake, choose a dairy-free frosting or frosting recipe to keep the entire dessert dairy-free.

Can I Use All-Purpose Flour Instead Of Oat Flour?

Yes. If you don’t need the cake to be gluten-free, you can use all-purpose flour in place of the oat flour.

How To Store Pumpkin Spice Walnut Cake

Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two, or refrigerate it for longer storage. If the cake is frosted, refrigeration may be preferable depending on the type of frosting you use.

Bring refrigerated cake to room temperature before serving for the best texture.

More Pumpkin Recipes To Try

If you love pumpkin spice season, try adding these cozy pumpkin-inspired recipes to your baking list:

Paleo Pumpkin Crumb Cake

Pumpkin Pie Protein Bites

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Blondies

Talk soon,