Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to ensure your cake doesn't stick.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. This step is essential for evenly distributing the leavening agents and spices throughout your cake.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3-5 minutes of mixing.
Add Eggs and Pumpkin: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully mixed in before adding the next. Stir in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can lead to a dense cake.
Fill Pans and Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool the Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frost and Decorate: Once cooled, frost with cream cheese frosting or serve plain if you prefer a simple treat. Add any additional toppings you desire!
