Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 1 3/4 cups canned pumpkin
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans, optional
• 12 oz. cream cheese, nearly at room temperature
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, nearly at room temperature
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

1. For the cake, heat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a rimmed 18 by 13-inch baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray and put it aside. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves for 20 seconds, then set that bowl aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the granulated sugar and brown sugar until evenly mixed and free of brown sugar lumps, using your fingertips to break up any stubborn bits if needed. Beat in the melted butter and oil. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Mix in the pumpkin, vanilla and milk until everything is blended.
3. Turn the mixer to low and gradually add the flour mixture, mixing just until combined. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, then use a spatula to fold the batter a few times so there are no hidden streaks.
4. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth it into a level layer. Bake in the heated oven until a toothpick poked into the middle comes out clean, about 20 – 25 minutes. Cool the cake all the way on a wire rack, then spread with cream cheese frosting and sprinkle with nuts if you’d like.
5. For the cream cheese frosting, beat the butter and cream cheese together in the bowl of a stand mixer until pale and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla, then whip for a few minutes more, until the frosting is light and fluffy.