What’s Left of Pumpkin Spice Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
Since becoming a blogger, I often over think making dessert for company, especially the presentation – since before a crumb goes into anyone’s mouth I often try to get the perfect shot for the blog. But here I present to you what’s left of a cake that I made for a few people I had over last night.
This was supposed to be a pretty layered cake. But by the time I got around to making it, I knew it would be too late to photograph it when it was cooled and frosted. So the lazy girl in me baked it into one layer, spread the frosting with the back of a knife, sprinkled the top with walnuts and called it a day. “Pretty” or not my guests didn’t care. With a knife in hand, they each cut into the cake square by square, ate the pieces with their hands and loved it.
The evening was the re-emergence of what at home we call Chezs. When I first met my husband 8+ years ago, between his and his cousin’s place across the hall, a small group of us got together for a super casual gathering on Friday nights. We’d drink whatever was on hand and either order Chinese or prepare something simple and easy. The gatherings weren’t about the food or drinks but about spending time together, telling each other stories and cracking lots of funny jokes that would take us into the wee hours of the morning.
We’re all a lil older now so we can’t stay up until 5am but the spirit of last night’s Chez was just like the ones I remembered from years ago. The comfort of close friends, a cosy setting, good food and wine and a tasty cake that everyone dug into at their own pace.
It doesn’t get any better than that.
Pumpkin Spice Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients:
For The Cake
1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups (12 ounces) firmly packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup (8 ounces) canned pumpkin puree
2 cups (7 ounces) sifted cake flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup (4 ounces) buttermilk, at room temperatureFor The Frosting
12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
3/4 stick ( 3 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon (6 1/2 ounces) pure maple syrup, preferably Grade C
1 3/4 cups (5 1/4 ounces) sifted confectioners sugar
1 cup (4 ounces) chopped walnuts, for garnishDirections:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and position oven rack in center. Lightly coat an 8x8 square pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Sift the cake flour, baking soda and baking powder, salt and spices into a medium bowl and set aside.
Beat the butter and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until very light in color and fluffy, 4-5 minutes. Beat the eggs and vanilla in a small bowl to blend. With the mixer on low speed, add the egg and vanilla mixture to the creamed butter and sugar one tablespoon at a time. Allow each addition to completely blend before adding the next and scrape the bowl between additions. Add the pumpkin and blend well.
With the mixer on the lowest speed, add the flour mixture and buttermilk alternately, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Scrape down the bowl and finish mixing by hand. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for about 1 hour or until the top is firm to the top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer to a rack and cool completely.
To make the frosting, place the cream cheese and butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and blend until smooth. Add the maple syrup and confectioners sugar and mix thoroughly, scraping down the bowl with a spatula to ensure all the ingredients are incorporated.
Run a thin knife around the edges of the pan to loosen the cake. Place a plate on the top of the pan and invert the cake onto the plate. Using the back of a knife, spread a generous amount of frosting on top, garnish with walnuts and serve.
Share
Jessica of My Baking Heart — November 7, 2010 @ 12:24 pm
Oh yum… I’d love a piece of that right now for brunch!
honeybeeluvsjackfruit — November 7, 2010 @ 1:43 pm
Wow! That seriously sounds delicious. I have a potluck next week with the theme of fall foods… I may make this (since I lost my favorite pumpkin bread recipe, boohoo).
BTW, I think it still looks pretty!
snooky doodle — November 7, 2010 @ 2:30 pm
oh how nice and the cake must be delicious!
JennyBakes — November 7, 2010 @ 2:35 pm
This looks delicious! I’m bookmarking it to try later. This sounds like the kind of cake I’d sneak back in to snack on.
Emily — November 7, 2010 @ 2:37 pm
I’ve been trying to figure out something to do with the leftover pumpkin puree in my fridge, this sounds perfect!
Bonnie — November 7, 2010 @ 3:17 pm
Nothing better than pumpkin cake with cream cheese and nut frosting eaten out of hand with good friends! The photo tells the story.
Best,
Bonnie
Tracy — November 7, 2010 @ 4:04 pm
Looks wonderful! I love the idea of getting together for weekly gatherings to chat and eat…sounds like so much fun!
Tracey — November 7, 2010 @ 5:10 pm
I made this cake in bundt form a few months ago and it was fantastic! Love your idea of making it even easier in one layer
vanillasugar — November 7, 2010 @ 5:34 pm
ha ha whats left indeed! that frosting is killer chica!
Steel City Flan — November 7, 2010 @ 6:12 pm
No wonder it disappeared – it look delicious. Pumpkin and cream cheese is a combo that absolutely never fails.
Shandy — November 7, 2010 @ 6:51 pm
I am so all over that cake! The best shot “ever” is how much the cake was enjoyed. I can see why! I love it! Friends and comfort food means memories and warmth, hugs, Shandy
Monique — November 7, 2010 @ 6:51 pm
dammit! i have everything on hand except the allspice. this looks AMAZING and sounds awesome!
I made cookies today
lol.
and i love those kind of get togethers!
Monique — November 7, 2010 @ 6:52 pm
invite me and your single men friends next time lol i will come thru with some seriously good eats AKA WIfe Resume
Sara — November 7, 2010 @ 7:01 pm
You’re right…nothing is better than long nights with good friends. However, cream cheese frosting is a close second. I’d choose cream cheese frosting over whipped frosting any day.
hannah @Bake5! — November 7, 2010 @ 7:44 pm
I’d love a piece of that! I think I’ve forgotten what pumpkin tastes like. oops
Rebecca (Indecisive Baker) — November 7, 2010 @ 7:56 pm
That simply looks amazing- I can’t imagine how awesome it looked before it was devoured!
girl paraphernalia — November 7, 2010 @ 8:29 pm
Divine indeed. I just watched Barefoot C. for the first time on FN… The cake looks so dense.. which I just LOVE..
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit — November 7, 2010 @ 8:42 pm
Good food and good friends…what could be better? That cake looks fabulous!
Katrina — November 7, 2010 @ 8:56 pm
Great cake recipe! This would disappear in 5 seconds in my house!
megan @ whatmegansmaking — November 7, 2010 @ 9:26 pm
what a fun post! I often overthink desserts as well. And how do I get a good picture without cutting a piece out first? haha the things we go through. This looks delicious
Katrina — November 7, 2010 @ 11:33 pm
I would have no problem being served a dessert like that anytime!
Great flavors.
Elizabeth — November 8, 2010 @ 12:51 am
Now this looks amazing. the cake looks so soft and melt in your mouth good and then the icing looks creamy and delish. I’m surprised there is any left!
Paris Pastry — November 8, 2010 @ 3:26 am
Well that is really the point of food isn’t it? Not to look pretty but to be enjoyed by close family and friends. Your pumpkin spice cake seems to have done just that!
Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum — November 8, 2010 @ 7:55 am
Can I come next time?
This cake is beautiful.
Brian @ A Thought For Food — November 8, 2010 @ 10:29 am
You know, I’ve only made cream cheese frosting a handful of times… and each time I eat the whole bowl before it makes it to the cake. I just can’t resist.
So, I can’t say I’ll be making this anytime soon, but when I get rid of a couple of pounds, this will be on my list!
Spike — November 8, 2010 @ 11:49 am
this is a perfect fall dessert. and I think it looks lovely as is- no layers needed!
kathleen — November 8, 2010 @ 12:27 pm
OOOhhhh! This looks amazing. I just bought this cookbook and haven’t yet tried any of its recipes. Love your blog
megan — November 8, 2010 @ 1:13 pm
I’ve been looking for a pumpkin spice cake recipe – and I have that book! But it’s always easier to find a recipe when someone else points it out, right? Do you suppose I could make this into a bundt pan? It would certainly be easier than trying to put the cake into layers.
food librarian — November 8, 2010 @ 1:49 pm
Awesome! This looks great! Nothing gets better than hanging out with friends and eating cake.
Nadia — November 8, 2010 @ 2:09 pm
sharing food and memories with good friend sis the best feeling! this is a beautiful and cozy dessert!
Islandia — November 8, 2010 @ 2:29 pm
aww love it! Those are the best nights and it looks delish, every once in awhile, we need the crumbs and the messy!
and silly girl! you can join me any weekend you want!
I feel like I actually haven’t seen you and Barney out together in forever, we’ll have to get Jenn to plan something soon!
Mija — November 8, 2010 @ 3:24 pm
That looks so YummmY.
That’s what I love most about cooking for family and friends…. It’s the memories you make while eating the dishes everyone will remember…Not what the dish looked like. (( not that your cake wasn’t pretty because it was even half eaten ))
Jackie — November 8, 2010 @ 3:24 pm
I love it. I only live 60 miles from you so there is no excuse not to invite me over for dinner and/or just dessert. This looks delicious!!
-Jackie
Erica Lea {Cooking for Seven} — November 8, 2010 @ 5:02 pm
Oh goodness. Wish I had a piece right now. Looks so moist + cream cheese frosting is my favorite.
Sara — November 8, 2010 @ 5:32 pm
I would love a piece right now! Lovely!
Michelle — November 8, 2010 @ 7:35 pm
I just love that you didn’t get the shot before your guests dug into this cake. It’s so much more realistic and fun! You have to love a dessert that people just want to dig into right away. : )
nikki — November 8, 2010 @ 10:02 pm
i l o v e those kind of nights – impromput, yet planned gatherings that create a lifetime of memories. and that cake – divine!
Julie — November 8, 2010 @ 10:27 pm
I love that you took the picture after serving the cake! Looks like everyone enjoyed it.
Barbara Bakes — November 8, 2010 @ 11:09 pm
You gotta love a cake you can eat with your hands. Sounds like a great way to spend an evening.
Joanne — November 9, 2010 @ 7:39 am
I always want more opportunities to have people over and cook for them. This sounds like so much fun! And this pumpkin spice cake must definitely have been the cherry on top of one seriously awesome evening of food. I think the half-eaten picture is just a testament to its deliciousness…I mean, obviously people couldn’t keep their hands off it.
Crustabakes — November 9, 2010 @ 9:12 am
I love cosy get togethers with close friends. and that cake seemed like a cosy, easy dessert!
Amanda — November 10, 2010 @ 7:37 am
Looks absolutely divine!!
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction — November 11, 2010 @ 6:54 am
That’s a beautiful cake! Sometimes simple is best… and the photo definitely tells a story about how delicious it was!
Lori — November 14, 2010 @ 2:30 pm
I like your version with the maple in the frosting. We usually call pumpkin cake pumpkin bars and I love it this time of year.
Kerstin — November 14, 2010 @ 8:29 pm
Sounds like the perfect evening! What a yummy pumpkin cake too – the maple in the frosting sounds amazing!
ingrid — November 14, 2010 @ 9:41 pm
No it certainly doesn’t sound like it gets much better.
Especially not when cake (made by you) is being served!
~ingrid
Btw, I haven’t found tamari but I haven’t given up looking!
Pretty. Good. Food. — November 21, 2010 @ 11:38 am
Ok, I’m hungry!
Looks delicious!!!
claire — November 24, 2010 @ 9:35 am
looks delicious! there is nothing i love more than cream cheese frosting!