Pumpkin Caramel Layer Cake
with Cinnamon Pecan Topping
INGREDIENTS
Frosting:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 pound cream cheese, cut into 2-inch cubes
2 tsp vanilla extract
Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
4 large eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
One 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
1/2 cup whole milk
Cinnamon Pecan Topping:
1 cup crushed pecans
1 egg white
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
Salted Caramel Sauce:
1 cup sugar
6 Tbsp Salted Butter- cut into small pieces
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp Sea Salt
Directions:
In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Cook over high heat, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved. Using a wet pastry brush, wash down any crystals from the side of the pan. Cook over moderate heat without stirring until a medium-dark amber caramel forms, about 9 minutes. Remove from the heat and immediately stir in the butter and heavy cream. (Don't worry if the butter separates.) Stir in Vanilla extract.
Transfer the caramel to the large bowl and using an electric mixer, beat at low speed until the caramel cools slightly and comes together, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on, beat in the cream cheese, 1 cube at a time and beating well between additions, until silky. Transfer the frosting to a bowl and refrigerate until very firm, at least 6 hours.
Meanwhile:
Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter and flour two 8-inch round cake pans. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, nutmeg and cloves.
In a bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the brown sugar and eggs at medium-high speed until fluffy, 3 minutes. Beat in the oil, then beat in the pumpkin puree. Alternately add the dry ingredients and the milk in 3 batches, beating well between additions.
Pour the batter into the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the cakes cool on a rack for 20 minutes. Run a knife around the edges to loosen the cakes, then invert them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Using a serrated knife, carefully slice each layer of cake in half to make 4 thin cake layers.
Place one layer on a plate and spread with 1 cup of the caramel–cream cheese frosting. Top with the the next 3 layers and repeat. Then, frost the top and side. Top with Candied pecans and Caramel Sauce (optional) Refrigerate the cake for 2 hours before serving.
For the Pecan Topping:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine sugar, cinnamon and salt. Whisk egg white until frothy and discard about half. Add the nuts. Toss until well coated. Add dry ingredients and stir well.
Spread nuts on a cookie sheet lined with foil, in a single layer.
Bake for 20 minutes.
One cool- break the pecans apart and sprinkle on top of the cake.
Make Ahead
The cake can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days
Serve cold or at room temperature.
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I am sooo looking forward to trying this one - it's difficult to source ingredients here
in India.
Another one I think looks amazing...lil' girls would love this one...especially my niece Mahlaia :D
These are an awesome idea. maybe pinks for the girls, blues for boys?? OR mixed! Green and red would look awesome for Christmas gifts...
from Bakerella...just the cutest!!!! Anyone can make these. It can be any recipe, all you have to do is pour the ingredients in evenly and put on a cut little sticker. The use of ribbons would make this cute, simple DIY project pop! I have been keeping an eye on some jars off trade me for my Christmas gifts!
More recipes up tomorrow...
feel free to check out what my family and I are up to in India
HERE...
...bake something... :P
xox
