Naked Pumpkin Cake Is the Most Sensuous Way to Celebrate Fall

Who cares about swirly patterns and fancy piping tricks? These days it's all about the naked cake — in other words, keeping the cake layer(s) bare, while only icing the top(s). It's so easy! Just plop the frosting onto the top of the cake and use a spatula to spread it evenly. No crumb layer, no Pinterest fails, just beautiful, rustic presentation.

In terms of the actual pumpkin cake recipe, it's full of the spiced flavor, moist yet fluffy, and bright pumpkin orange — and the icing is heavy on the cream cheese, making it a tart, rich companion to the cake.