Salted Caramel Gingerbread Poke Cake with Pumpkin Cream Cheese Frosting

INGREDIENTS

gingerbread cake mix (such as Betty Crocker), plus the ingredients called for on package instructions

1 cup

granulated sugar

1/4 cup

water

3/4 cup

heavy cream

1 1/2 tsp

vanilla extract, divided

1/2 tsp

sea salt

8 oz

cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup

canned pumpkin puree

1/4 cup

unsalted butter, softened

4 cups

powdered sugar

1 cup

crushed gingersnap cookies