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Pumpkin Spice Cake with Maple Bourbon Frosting

Flatter your guests at your next holiday gathering with this made from scratch Pumpkin Spice Cake with Maple Bourbon Frosting!

Pumpkin Spice Cake with Maple Bourbon Frosting

I finally did it. I jumped on the pumpkin cake bandwagon. Not that I haven’t made a ton of pumpkin recipes this season, but I haven’t made a cake. I’m a little shy when it comes to making cakes from scratch. Sheet cakes are a breeze but for some reason, every time I’ve attempted to make a layer cake with 9 inch round cake pans, the middle of the cakes sunk in. I researched this phenomena and found that a number of issues can cause it ranging from the eggs or butter not being room temp to the flour being old. But lucky for you, and for my taste buds, this cake attempt was a pure success!

Pumpkin Spice Cake with Maple Bourbon Frosting

Pumpkin Spice Cake with Maple Bourbon Frosting

I had been building up the courage to attempt to bake a cake from scratch again for some time. On Sunday, I finally sucked it up and did it. You see, on Sunday, I prepared a mock Thanksgiving dinner. I made all types of sides, a bistro style chicken and this cake. I thought it would be perfect to go along with our mock Thanksgiving dinner. And it was. This cake is so good that I will be making it for Thanksgiving dessert! The family is sure to enjoy this treat.

I adapted this recipe from the Better Homes & Gardens New Cookbook (1996). I basically followed the recipe exactly with the exception of using two round 9 inch cake pans rather than the recommended 9×13 pan. After preparing and baking the batter, I allowed the cakes to cool completely. While they were cooling, I made maple bourbon frosting. After the cakes were cooled,  I sliced each layer in half lengthwise and then frosted each layer. I wanted to show the pretty layers of my cake so I didn’t frost the outside of the cake. I’m quite fond of naked cakes i.e. cakes that are missing their outer frosting. After frosting, I topped the cake with ground pecans. They pair exceptionally well with this cake!

If you’re looking for a change from the typical pumpkin pie dessert, this cake is perfect to serve at your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Or for you snacking pleasure. Enjoy the recipe!

Pumpkin Spice Cake with Maple Bourbon Frosting

Pumpkin Spice Cake with Maple Bourbon Frosting

Yield: 10 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 2 1/4 C cake flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 C butter, softened
  • 1/4 C shortening
  • 1 1/2 C granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 C buttermilk
  • 1/2 C pumpkin puree

For the Maple Bourbon Frosting

  • 8oz cream cheese, softened
  • 4 tbsp butter, room temp
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp bourbon
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 2 C confectioners sugar
  • 1/4 C ground pecans

Instructions

  1. Grease and flour two 9x2 inch round baking pans
  2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger.
  3. In a small mixing bowl or a 2 C sized glass measuring cup, whisk together the buttermilk and pumpkin puree.
  4. In the bowl of a stand mixer, using the flat attachment, beat together the butter and shortening until creamy, about 30 seconds. Add the sugar and vanilla. Beat until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, and beat until well combined.
  5. Add the flour mixture and buttermilk mixture, alternating a little at a time of each, until combined.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pans and bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely on wire racks.
  7. Meanwhile, prepare the Maple Bourbon Frosting. In the bowl of a stand mixer using the flat attachment, beat together the butter and cream cheese until creamy and smooth. Add the vanilla and gradually add the sugar, beating until smooth. Add the maple syrup and bourbon and beat until well combined. Add more confectioners sugar if you want a thicker frosting.
  8. One the cake layers are cooled, slice the layer in half lengthwise so you end up with four layers. Spread frosting on top of the bottom layer, add another layer, frost, and repeat the process until all layers are assembled and frosted. After frosting the top layer, sprinkle with the ground pecans.

Notes

Better Homes & Gardens New Cookbook (1996)


 

 

Pumpkin Spice Cake with Maple Bourbon Frosting

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35 comments on “Pumpkin Spice Cake with Maple Bourbon Frosting”

  1. Would it work to use 4 round pans with half the batter to make the layers? Do you think they would bake the same? I’m not very good with slicing cakes in half.

    • I’m not sure as I have never done baked them using that method. You could try it. You would need to reduce your baking time probably by half. You could start at cutting the time in half and increase if needed. I had never sliced cakes in half until I made this one! I used a long serrated knife. Worked like a charm. I hope you are able to figure out a method that works for you! :)

  2. This looks so light and beautiful! I think I would like this for Thanksgiving rather than the traditional pumpkin pie. I have had the same problem with layer cakes in the past, thanks for sharing some tips you found. Photos are great of course!

  3. this looks delish!

  4. This cake is stunning Julie. I don’t know why you are scared of layer cakes but this baby shows that you have nothing to fear. I am in love with your frosting…maple and bourbon. What a great combination. Love the look of this cake very much.

    • Thank you, Zainab! Ha, they always failed me so they scared me. But now I’m not so scared. In fact, I want to make another one this weekend. I’m thinking something chocolatey. :)

  5. This cake is gorgeous, Julie! :) Yum! All your hard work Sunday definitely paid off!

  6. Julie, this cake came out absolutely gorgeous and it sounds awesome! Love the naked cake reference, because I actually like mine the exact same way! This is just the right amount of frosting though, and looks divine! Pinning and sharing! Thanks for the recipe and it looks amazing!

    • Thank you so much, Cindy! I am really happy with it! It’s my first super pretty from scratch cake. Now I want to make more. LOL Thanks for the pin and shares. Have a great evening!

  7. Julie, I would love a slice of this cake. The pumpkin cake combined with the maple bourbon frosting sounds amazing! I hope you are having a great week!

  8. Hi Julie, your cake looks fantastic…. I love pumpkin cake (and could always use more recipes) and I like how you frosted it… Pinned! oh, and I have the same cake dish :-) TJM?

    • Thank you so much, Deb! How is the new camera treating you?

      I got this one at Homegoods but I think they are owned by the same company. Darn, we really do have a lot in common. ;)

  9. Your cake is quite a success Julie, it looks wonderful! Maple and Bourbon frosting sounds amazing. :)

  10. Cutting the layers is so hard to do! I think your cake is beautiful and the flavors are perfect for the season. Great job!

  11. Maple Bourban Frosting sounds AMAZING!!! I am sharing this on FB tomorrow!

  12. You did well my friend! This is gorgeous and totally drool worthy. My problem with layer cakes is the frosting all seems to slide-which is why I avoid them if possible! Pinning for sure!

  13. The cake is a stunner, and you were apprehensive. You’ve done a great job girl. Your mock dinner sounds really good.
    Love it, pinning.

  14. I love this cake! Pumpkin spice and maple bourbon frosting… there is nothing better than this combination! And such a beautiful cake to impress guests. ;)

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  17. I see you’ve linked up this great looking recipe at the Cast Party Wednesday link party. I’d love for you to come share it on my new link party – Required Ingredient Recipe Link Party – that just went live. Every Sunday I feature a different ingredient and this week it is pumpkin.

    I hope you’ll stop by and share!

    http://futureexpat.com/2013/11/required-ingredient-pumpkin/

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