Skip to Content
Recipes

Pumpkin Spice Olive Oil Cake with Mascarpone Cream

Our contributor shares a recipe for a velvety autumn olive oil cake warmed by pumpkin spice and topped with mascarpone cream.

9:01 AM EDT on September 26, 2024

Pumpkin Spice – Olive Oil Cake with Mascarpone Cream.

Pumpkin Spice – Olive Oil Cake with Mascarpone Cream.

This easy-to-make, versatile cake tastes like autumn thanks to its warm spices, and it is extra moist and velvety, thanks to the use of olive oil instead of butter.

As a plated dessert, I recommend serving it with lightly sweetened mascarpone cream, candied orange peel to brighten its flavor, and the iconic Fabbri Amarena Cherries with sweet and sour notes. Alternatively, it can also be enjoyed as is or with a scoop of gelato.

Buon Appetito!

Pumpkin Spice Olive Oil Cake with Mascarpone Cream

Pumpkin Spice Olive Oil Cake with Mascarpone Cream

Recipe by Paola Marocchi
0.0 from 0 votes
Servings

6-8

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

50

minutes

Ingredients

  • For the Mascarpone Cream
  • 8 oz. 8 mascarpone cheese

  • 4 cups 4 confectionery sugar

  • 2 2 -3drops vanilla extract

  • 1 pinch 1 salt

  • For the Cake
  • 1 cup 1 sugar

  • 1/2 cup 1/2 EVOO

  • 2 2 -3drops vanilla extract

  • 1 cup 1 pumpkin puree

  • 2 2 eggs

  • 1 cup 1 all-purpose flour (+ 1 Tbsp.)

  • 1 1 -1/2tsps. baking powder

  • 1 tsp. 1 baking soda

  • 1/2 tsp. 1/2 pumpkin spice

  • 1 pinch 1 ground cinnamon

  • 1 pinch 1 salt

  • Amarena cherries and candied orange peel (or freshly grated citrus zest) for garnish

Directions

  • To Make the Mascarpone Cream
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat mascarpone with confectionery sugar, vanilla extract and salt until creamy.
  • Set aside in fridge until ready to use.
  • To Make the Cake
  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Butter and flour an 8” long rectangular bread loaf pan mold and set aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer, whisk sugar, EVOO, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree until well combined.
  • Add eggs, one at a time, and whisk until well combined.
  • In a separate bowl, mix all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt; sift and add to wet mixture, whisking just until combined.
  • Place on prepared mold and bake until a cake tester inserted in middle comes out dry, approximately 30 minutes.
  • Let cake cool and then flip upside down.
  • When ready to serve, slice into 1 ½” slices (or desired size) and finish with a dollop of mascarpone cream, Amarena cherries and candied orange peel (or freshly grated citrus zest).

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @appetitomagazine on Instagram and hashtag it with #italianfoodanddrink

Like this recipe?

Follow @Appetitomagazine on Pinterest

Follow us on Facebook!

Follow us on Facebook

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More Stories

My Accidental Ferragosto: What Italy Teaches Us About Summer

When weekend plans unexpectedly disappeared, I discovered the pleasure of slowing down and embracing a little Italian summer spirit.

August 14, 2026

Chef POV: Italian Food News, Gifts and Kitchen Finds

These new releases bring a little fun, flavor and Italian flair to the season.

August 14, 2026

Pasta School with Lowcountry Bella: How to Make Fresh Fettuccine

In Lesson Two, learn how to turn fresh pasta dough into silky ribbons of homemade fettuccine.

August 14, 2026

This Week in Italian Food & Travel News (Aug. 14)

A fresh mix of stories offers plenty to talk about, from what’s new on the menu to what’s unfolding across the Mediterranean.

August 14, 2026

Campari Hosting Campari Spritz Square in Nolita this Weekend

Reservations have been available on a rolling basis and a limited number of walk-in spots are also available.

August 13, 2026

Lolita’s Gelato: Italian Gelato in Santorini, Greece

A tiny gelateria in Oia became much more than a place to stop for something sweet.

August 13, 2026