TikTok's Viral Pumpkin Magic Cake Is Layered With Surprises

As we are in full fall season swing, you're entitled to all the pumpkin recipes, whether you're hungry for a classic pumpkin pie or a pumpkin butter cake. If you can't decide between cake or pie, you can try a more surprising option: TikTok's viral pumpkin magic cake lets you have both.

Foodie influencer @megsescapades shares a delicious recipe that combines yellow cake mix and a spiced pumpkin puree custard in the same baking pan for a layered dessert bursting with fall flavors and luxurious textural contrasts. They assemble each layer separately, starting with the straightforward boxed cake mix. After pouring the cake mix into a greased baking dish, the TikToker whisks canned pumpkin puree, eggs, sweetened condensed and evaporated milk, and spices, forming a liquid custard to pour over the cake batter. The cake goes into the oven at 350 degrees for 50 minutes, and culinary magic happens. The custard sinks to the bottom of the pan to create a denser, heavier pumpkin pie-like filling to contrast the yellow cake mix's light and fluffy crumb.

The cake will take additional time to cool and set in the fridge, during which the final top layer of mascarpone frosting is whipped up. The wealth of textures and flavors in this pumpkin magic cake is impressive yet easy to achieve with the help of store-bought ingredients. To expedite the assembly of each layer, consider using devices like the Hamilton Beach elecric hand mixer or this Mueller hand emulsifier with a whisk attachment..

If you're ready to make magic happen in your oven, the TikTok recipe is simply a blueprint. You can replace ingredients or supplement each layer with your preferred seasonings and mix-ins. For instance, pumpkin spice mix gives the puree that pumpkin pie flavor, and there are plenty of pre-made versions out there, not to mention our own freshly ground pumpkin pie spice recipe.

The swaps and additions that'll really diversify this pumpkin magic cake lie in the layers. If you're a chocolate lover, swap out the yellow cake mix for chocolate cake mix and stir cocoa powder to the whipped mascarpone topping. Play up the flavor of pumpkin spice by using a spice cake mix, such as this one from Betty Crocker. Stir in some toasted pecans or walnuts for a nice crunch. The brand's butter pecan cake mix would also pair well with the pumpkin pie layer.

Substitute cream cheese for mascarpone to bring a bit of tanginess to the whipped topping. You can also add pumpkin puree instead of mascarpone to the heavy cream, pumpkin spice, vanilla, and powdered sugar mixture.