Pumpkin and Chocolate Layer Cake

"The cake is moist and satisfying, as well as spicy and chocolaty. As if the flavor weren’t enough, this cake looks very dramatic and makes a great centerpiece for a seasonal party."
 
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photo by katherineclare photo by katherineclare
photo by katherineclare
Ready In:
1hr 5mins
Ingredients:
33
Yields:
1 cake
Serves:
12-16
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ingredients

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directions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F Line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and lightly grease the bottom and sides of both.
  • Set up two large mixing bowls so that the batter for both cakes can be prepared at the same time.
  • For the pumpkin cake:.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt.
  • In a large measuring cup, or a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, vegetable oil, melted butter, pumpkin puree, milk and vanilla extract until all ingredients are well combined.
  • Pour pumpkin mixture into dry ingredients and stir until no streaks of flour remain visible. Pour into a prepared pan.
  • For the chocolate cake:.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt. Sift in cocoa powder and whisk to combine.
  • In a large measuring cup, or a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, vegetable oil, melted butter, pumpkin puree, milk and vanilla extract until all ingredients are well combined. Whisk in melted chocolate.
  • Pour pumpkin mixture into dry ingredients and stir until no streaks of flour remain visible. Pour into a prepared pan.
  • Bake the cakes for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the cake springs back when lightly pressed. The baking time is the same for one cake as it is for two cakes in the oven at the same time.
  • Turn cakes out of their pan and onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
  • For the Maple Cream Cheese Frosting.
  • Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and beat at high speed until smooth, gradually adding the confectioners’ sugar until a thick and spreadable consistency is reached. Additional confectioners sugar may need to be added to thicken frosting, especially if humidity is high in your area.
  • To assemble the cake, slice both the pumpkin cake and the chocolate cake in half horizontally. Place a chocolate round on a cake stand or serving platter, spread with a thin layer of cream cheese icing, and place a pumpkin layer on top. Make sure to spread the frosting all the way to the edges of the cake rounds. Spread the pumpkin layer with frosting and repeat with remaining chocolate and pumpkin layers.
  • Use remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of the cake.

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Reviews

  1. I made this cake for a "Friendsgiving" party I threw- it was seasonally perfect, but maybe a little heavy after a thanksgiving meal...SO delicious though. I arranged pumpkin seeds on the cake and sprinkled the icing with cocoa powder to make the cake contents known to my guests (see attached picture). It was a hit. The cake is beautiful and yummy- I am not a big cake-maker and I found this simple and enjoyable to make.
     
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

I am a pastry chef, but I love cooking entree's too. I love cooking for my friends and family. I have two kids, a dog, and a great husband.
 
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