Easy Pumpkin Spice Cake

 

Parenting is hard.

This is not rocket science, though, is it? I’ve been at this game for 10 years. I thought that by now I would be a pro. When my kids were babies I would gaze in wonder at parents of older elementary school-aged kids and long for the knowledge that they had no doubt accumulated through the years. I thought, in grave error, that they must have it all together, have the ins and outs of discipline, schedules, and parental responsibility memorized and perfected.

And maybe they did. It’s quite possible that the people surrounding me at that time in my life were parental experts to the 100th degree. It is completely within the bounds of reason to assume that they never lost their cool, never forgot a major school function, always knew just when to press and just when to retreat, and just had this parenting thing down.

Let’s assume, for argument’s sake, though, that they did not.

Let’s assume, that just like me, they had no idea what they were doing on the daily. And let’s just assume that, also like me, they’re not prone to admit this to others for sake of protecting their vulnerability.

Because the further I get into this parenting thing, the more I come to believe that none of us really have it figured out. And the ones who sit next to you at school functions bragging about how they do….they’re either lying or plain crazy. There’s no in between.

The more I talk to people in close confidence, the more I realize we’re all struggling here. The issues that confront you as a parent come rapid fire some days, and there’s almost never a black and white solution close at hand. It’s all shades of grey. Parenting is one occupation that you knowingly (or sometimes unknowingly–no judgement here) get into where there is no guaranteed play by play that leads to success. What works for little Jimmy probably isn’t going to work for little Jane and you may not figure that out until it’s too late. I’ve got 3 kids, all very close in age, and they are so different that I have to be a completely different parent when approaching each. And it’s exhausting.

I’m often guilty of parenting Connor with my Dillon parenting hat on because I’m just too tired to switch. And if you know my boys at all, you know this is a terrible idea.

hated it I sent my oldest to school today after a nightmare morning containing lots of very premature teenage-like behavior with a stone of guilt anchored deep into my stomach. Despite my best efforts to keep my cool as he yelled and screamed over his hair and his outfit (yes. you read that right. his hair and his outfit. This kid has a thing with his hair.), I eventually lost it. I sent him off to school with a full-on In Living Colour-esque earful about how “no one cares what your hair looks like in your picture retake and you can’t talk to me that way because I am your mother and just wait until I tell your father; how dare you talk to me like that….”

It was not pretty.

And if I had to guess I would say that there’s not a mom on earth who hasn’t sent their kid off to school with that same stone of guilt sticking deep within their gut.

And then there’s my youngest who is in most ways a sweet, kind, friendly girl. She’s tough and scrappy and doesn’t take anything from anyone, but somehow she’s starting to fall prey to the notorious first grade mean girl trend of “if you don’t do {insert stupid order only a first grader can make up} I won’t be your friend anymore,” or the “I won’t be your friend if you’re friends with {insert random child’s name}.” And she’s buying into it and letting it break her, begging me through sobs to let her take her fidget spinner to school so her friend will stay her friend.

And I want to grab her and explain to her that real friendship and love don’t have qualifiers and that she deserves better than that.

But no matter how much I say it, I know she has to live it and probably won’t really understand this until she’s older. I have to watch her hurt. And that sucks.

I can absolutely 100% understand how parents enable their children by doing everything for them. I believe that, for the most part, it’s not because these parents are total pushovers. It’s just because they’re tired and running late. If you’ve ever tried to get out the door while your 5-year-old is trying to tie their own shoes, you know this. We’re supposed to parent them and teach them.

But dang, why does it have to take so long to thread that bunny through the hole?

I know why helicopter parents are always intervening. It’s not because they are just bored busy-bodies. No, I really think it’s because their hearts hurt to watch their kid suffer and they just can’t take it. So they step in. Sure, it doesn’t teach the kid anything, but the problem goes away and the heart stops hurting.

Parenting is hard. We are all working with all the tools we have in our toolboxes each day to be the best parents we can to our kids. Some days we win. And some days we lose. But as long as we love them I think we’re doing ok. Because love is the root of it all. If we didn’t love them, it wouldn’t be hard. So keep it up. Give grace to yourself when you need it and remember that love heals all wounds….even wounds left by a screaming mother in the carpool line.

Easy Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

So to help maybe make that guilt go away, make them something yummy to eat for an afterschool treat. That’s what I do. And today, I’m making this Easy Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Icing. My mom made it for me, probably some days out of guilt just like I am today.

It’s a super easy cake. You just dump, stir, bake and frost. They’re superb and seasonally appropriate. The best part about it, though, is that it can easily be modified with Gluten-Free flour to create a safer version for those you love who are watching their gluten. I used one for one GF flour and the results were nearly identical. You do have to bake slightly longer, closer to 40 minutes, because the flour is a bit denser, but the cake itself is a twin to its gluten-full cousin.

The Cream Cheese frosting on this cake is a winner for all seasons, too. It’s flat-out delicious. If you prefer buttercream to cream cheese frosting, the salted maple buttercream from this cake might be a great match. But honestly, the cream cheese frosting is a family favorite and I promise it won’t disappoint.

So make some. Eat them with your kids. Know you’re doing a good job. And lick the batter, just this once.

 

Peace, Love, and Parenting,
Meg

 

Easy Pumpkin Spice Cake

January 10, 2020

By:

Ingredients
  • 4 eggs, at room temp
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup oil (either melted and cooled coconut oil or vegetable oil)
  • 1 16 ounce can pumpkin puree
  • 2 cups flour (either AP or Gluten-Free cup for cup)
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • Frosting:
  • 1 8 ounce package of cream cheese, softened
  • 6 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
Directions
  • Step 1 Heat oven to 350 and spray a 9×12 baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Step 2 Beat eggs, sugar, applesauce, oil and pumpkin until combined.
  • Step 3 Stir in remaining dry ingredients until completely mixed in.
  • Step 4 Pour into prepared dish and bake 25-30 minutes or until baked completely through.
  • Step 5 Cool Completely.
  • Step 6 To make the frosting:
  • Step 7 Using the whisk attachment to a stand mixer, beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
  • Step 8 Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until completely mixed and spreadable consistency.
  • Step 9 Once cake is completely cooled, frost evenly.

 

 

pumpkin spice bars
Easy. One bowl. Delicious. This Pumpkin Dump Cake with Cream Cheese Icing tastes like fall in a pan. It's so easy that it's deceiving and everyone loves it. It will be on repeat in your house this fall. #pumpkinrecipes #dumpcake #pumpkinspice #fallrecipes

 



23 thoughts on “Easy Pumpkin Spice Cake”

    • Yes! These are so amazing! I’m not sure there will be any left when my kids get home! Let me know how you like them!

  • 5 stars
    This looks so good! I love that you added apple sauce, that must make it so moist and delicious. I definitely have to make these. Also, I love hearing about your parenting experiences. I’m not a parebt, but I nanny, and she may not be my child but I definitely understand the desire to fix things for her, and it can be hard to remember that it helps her more in the long run to let her work things out herself and be supportive rather than doing it for her. Great post!

    • Thanks for the idea!! I’m not going to lie–this inspired me to go cut myself a piece and have it for breakfast ?. It was so good!

  • pretty sure these bars could fix just ab out any kid trouble. and after 17 years, i still don’t have a clue what i doing some days 🙂

  • I don’t have kids, but I totally enjoyed reading your post. Coming from a family of 3 children who were wildly different, I can imagine how exhausting it can be to have to parent each child differently. Hang in there, it sounds like you’re doing great!

  • MY MOUTH IS WATERING! I love pumpkin and obsess over for about two to three months. I might just have to make these for Halloween next week 😀

    • Oh my gosh if you veganize it send me the recipe! I’d love to link the option!!! Can’t wait to hear how it goes.

    • Yes! Fall pumpkin recipes are the BEST! And this icing is amazing. I could make it and just eat it straight with a spoon. (and actually I did just that when I made these!)

  • 5 stars
    Heyyy . First of all it is so well explained that I can imagine it in my head . I dont have kids but I am learning to cook these days and this is surely on my list . Will treat myself with the pumpkin recipe . Good job ??

  • 5 stars
    I loved reading this blog! “We’re all struggling here” is true. It may not all be the same but everyone is going through some sort of struggle! I am also going to try to out this pumpkin recipe! I have a can of pumpkin purée waiting for me in my pantry! I enjoy reading blogs, so thank you for sharing it with me today. Wishing you all the best xx

    • So sweet of you to actually come by and read! Definitely try the recipe and let me know how you like it! Would love to stay in touch so keep dropping by!!!!

  • It’s the season of pumpkin! I can’t get enough of it! This looks like the perfect dessert to bring to an upcoming church potluck! Thank you!

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