Tag: cake

CARROT CAKE ROLL

If you love carrot cake, this Carrot Cake Roll is for you, with loads of carrots, warm spices, and a classic cream cheese filling! Not only is it delicious to eat and beautiful to look at, but it’s also easy to make.

I have always loved carrot cake! There is something about the combination of warm spices and cream cheese frosting that goes so well together. Carrot cake is commonly served at Easter gatherings, but there is no reason you can’t have carrot cake year-round, especially when it’s this good!

I also love the simplicity of cake rolls, not to mention they are also pretty to look at. So, I set out to create a Carrot Cake Roll recipe that was moist and full of flavor while also being easy to make.

How to Make the Perfect Carrot Cake Roll:

  • Begin by preheating the oven to 375°F degrees. Then prepare the baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper, ensuring it goes up all the sides. Next, lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray. The parchment paper and cooking spray are important because you need the cake to come out cleanly. You do not want the cake to stick or tear.
  • Combine all the wet ingredients in a medium bowl and the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Then mix everything together, stirring just until combined. Do not overmix! Fold in the grated carrots until evenly combined.
  • Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. Bake 13-15 minutes or until the center of the cake springs back when touched.

Now the Important Steps:

  • STEP 1: As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, you’ll want to flip it out of the pan. The easiest way I have discovered to do this is to take a large cutting board covered with parchment paper and place it on top of the cake in the pan (parchment paper down, so when you flip it, the cake is sitting on top of the parchment paper). Using oven mitts, flip the pan with the cake and the cutting board in one swift movement. If the parchment paper lining the baking sheet comes out with the cake, carefully peel it off the cake.

  • STEP 2: Immediately, while the cake is hot, roll the cake and the parchment paper into a tight roll, starting at the short end. It is critical that you roll the parchment paper with the cake; otherwise, as the cake cools, it will stick to itself, and you’ll never get it unrolled. Next, allow the rolled cake to cool completely on the counter. I usually allow for 2 hours for it to cool. If your cake hasn’t cooled completely, the filling will become runny and won’t hold its shape. So don’t rush the cooling step.

  • STEP 3: Once the cake has completely cooled, mix the filling ingredients – cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla with a handheld mixer. Beat until smooth. Next, carefully unroll the cake and discard the parchment paper. Don’t worry about getting the cake completely flat, just flat enough to spread the filling on the cake. Finally, spread an even layer of the filling over the cake.

  • STEP 4: Reroll the cake and wrap it in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

To serve, sprinkle the cake with powdered sugar (optional) and cut it into one-inch-thick slices. Enjoy!

Check out my recipe for a delicious Pumpkin Roll.

The baking sheet that I use for my cake rolls.

Carrot Cake Roll

If you love carrot cake, this Carrot Cake Roll is for you, with loads of carrots, warm spices, and a classic cream cheese filling! Not only is it delicious to eat and beautiful to look at, but it's also easy to make.
No ratings yet
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Cooling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 10 slices

Equipment

  • 17 inch baking sheet

Ingredients
 

For the Cake:

  • 1 cup flour +2 tablespoons
  • 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ginger
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 cups grated carrots

For the Filling

  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 6 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions
 

For the Cake:

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a 17-inch cookie sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Cover a large cutting board with parchment paper and set it aside.
  • In a medium bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the vegetable oil, eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla until thick.
  • Stir in flour mixture just until combined. Fold in the grated carrots.
  • Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until the top of the cake springs back when touched.
  • When you take the cake out of the oven, immediately turn the cake onto the parchment paper-covered cutting board. It's easiest to put the parchment paper and cutting board on top of the cake and flip them together in one swift movement. Then gently loosen and slowly peel off the parchment paper that was baked with the cake.
  • Immediately, while the cake is still hot, roll up the cake and the parchment paper together, starting at the narrow end. Cool completely on a wire cooling rack (about 2 hours).

For the Filling:

  • Once the cake is cool, prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  • Carefully and slowly unroll the cooled cake, removing and discarding the parchment paper.
  • Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the cake. Reroll cake.
  • Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours.
  • Dust with powdered sugar, cut into 1-inch thick slices, and serve.
  • Store the cake roll in the refrigerator, wrapped in plastic wrap for up to four days.
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PEACHES AND CREAM DUMP CAKE

Quick and easy to make, mouthwatering, and delectable to eat…What more could you want?

My husband can’t stand the name “dump cake,” but it’s what they are called…So, what is a dump cake? It’s a super easy dessert that’s a cross between a cake and a cobbler. It gets its name because all the ingredients are literally dumped into a 9×13 baking dish; no mixing bowl needed, no mixing or blending, everything just goes into the baking dish. So simple and easy, yet so delicious!!

I wanted something that was a little more than just peaches and cake mix, and the addition of cream cheese was the answer. It adds more flavor and creaminess to the cake, not to mention the addition of brown sugar and cinnamon, giving this cake a real cobbler taste. I love the addition of the pecans as well; they have such a nice sweet, buttery flavor that compliments the other flavors in this cake perfectly…My kids, however, were upset that I would even think to put nuts in their dessert…Oh, the horror! Of course, the pecans are optional, so leave them off if you must.

How to Make a Dump Cake:

There are not a lot of steps involved in making a dump cake, but I’ll share the basic steps with you:

You’ll Need:

  • 2 – cans of sliced peaches in light syrup
  • cinnamon
  • brown sugar
  • cream cheese
  • 1 – French vanilla cake mix
  • 1 – stick of butter of butter
  • pecan halves, optional
  • Start by preheating the oven to 350°F. Next, spray a 9×13 baking dish or grease with shortening or butter.
  • Drain most of the juice from the peaches, but reserve ½ cup of the juice to pour over the peaches in the baking dish. Add the peaches to the baking dish, along with the ½ cup of juice. You will have a very runny cake if you add all the juice. But you need some liquid to help keep the cake mix soft as it bakes. **You could use fresh peaches for this recipe too. You would need 6 to 8 cups of fresh sliced peaches, with skins removed.
  • Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.
  • Cut the cold cream cheese block into about 48 cubes. Roll each cube in the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture and place evenly around the peaches. Sprinkle any remaining brown sugar and cinnamon over the peaches.
(I took this picture before I changed the recipe to cut the cream cheese into smaller pieces. The cubes should be half this size and twice as many. )
  • Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the peaches. DO NOT STIR! Try to get it as even and flat as possible. It’s important that you do not pat it down! You want to keep the cake mix fluffy so it bakes up nice and soft and not into a hard crust.
  • Cut the butter into small pieces and evenly distribute the butter pieces and pecan halves over the dry cake mix.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 45-50 minutes. It should be bubbling, and the top starting to lightly brown. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whip cream. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

That’s it, nothing too hard there! Enjoy!

Peach and Cream Dump Cake

Quick and easy to make, mouthwatering, and delectable to eat…What more could you want?
4.88 from 8 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients
 

  • 2 – 29 ounce cans of sliced peaches in light syrup **See notes
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, cut into about 48 small cubes
  • 1 French vanilla cake mix
  • ½ cup butter, (1 stick) cut into small pieces
  • ½ to 1 cup pecan halves, optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish or grease with shortening or butter.
  • Drain most of the juice from the peaches, but reserve ½ cup of the juice to pour over the peaches in the baking dish. Add the peaches to the baking dish, along with the ½ cup of juice.
  • Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.
  • Cut the cold cream cheese block into about 48 cubes. Roll each cube in the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture and place evenly around the peaches. Sprinkle any remaining brown sugar and cinnamon over the peaches.
  • Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the peaches. DO NOT STIR! Try to get it as even and flat as possible without pressing the cake mix down (you want to keep it fluffy).
  • Cut the butter into small pieces and evenly distribute the butter pieces and pecan halves over the dry cake mix.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 45-50 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whip cream. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Notes

**You could use fresh peaches for this recipe too. You would need 6 to 8 cups of fresh sliced peaches, with skins removed.
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STRAWBERRY JELLO POKE CAKE

Incredibly light, moist, and bursting with flavor! This Strawberry Jello Poke Cake is always a crowd favorite…but it will be our secret that it only took about 15 minutes of work to make.

I have been enjoying this cake since I was a kid. Now I make this cake for my family and trust me, they love it as much as I did growing up. Recently my kids tried to convince me that since there are strawberries on the cake, they should be allowed to have it for breakfast… So I made them eat something healthy-ish first and then served them a piece (why not, you only live once)!

How do You Make a Jello Poke Cake?

If you have 15 minutes of free time, you have enough time to make this amazing cake. Seriously, that’s it!

Step 1: Using a box cake mix (use a white cake), bake the cake in a 9×13-inch pan according to the instructions on the box. Remove from the oven and cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes.

Step 2: After the cake has cooled for 15 minutes, poke the cake with a fork about every 1/2 inch. Make sure to go all the way to the bottom of the cake.

Step 3: In a glass 2-cup measuring cup, mix the strawberry Jello with 1 cup of boiling water. Stir for 2 minutes until the Jello is completely dissolved. Then stir in 1/2 cold water. Carefully pour the Jello over the cake, making sure to pour over all the fork holes. Then refrigerate the cake for at least 3 hours.

Step 4: Once the cake has chilled, spread on the Cool Whip and garnish with strawberries. Refrigerate until you are ready to serve.

That’s it; you’re done! I told you that was easy…And delicious!

Strawberry Jello Poke Cake

Incredibly light, moist, and bursting with flavor! This Strawberry Jello Poke Cake is always a crowd favorite…but it will be our secret that it only took about 15 minutes of work to make.
4.96 from 21 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Chill Time 3 hours
Course Dessert
Servings 16 servings

Ingredients
 

  • 1 box white cake mix
  • 1 3-ounce box strawberry Jello
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • ½ cup cold water
  • 1 8-ounce tub Cool Whip topping
  • Strawberries for garnish, optional

Instructions
 

  • Bake the cake in a 9×13-inch pan according to the instructions on the box. Remove from the oven and cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes.
  • Pierce the cake with a fork at ½-inch intervals.
  • In a 2 cup glass measuring cup, mix the dry Jello with 1 cup boiling water. Stir for 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Stir in cold water.
  • Carefully pour the Jello over the cake, making sure to pour over all the fork holes. Then refrigerate the cake for at least 3 hours.
  • After the cake has chilled, frost with the Cool Whip and garnish with strawberries. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE FOR TWO

Warm, rich, indulgent lava cake is the perfect dessert to complete any romantic dinner. Easy to make and comes together in just 30 minutes. Top with vanilla ice cream and fresh raspberries for a dessert that’s sure to impress!

I am a chocolate lover through and through! And I absolutely love chocolate lava cake. I remember having my first lava cake at a nice restaurant my husband and I went to on one of our date nights. I thought about making lava cakes myself at home, but I assumed they must be tricky to make. Boy, was I wrong!! These are easier to make than most desserts. So if you have some basic baking ingredients and 30 minutes to spare, you could make these amazing chocolate lava cakes yourself! And trust me, you’ll be glad you did.

Chocolate Lava Cakes Are Easy…

There are no tricks or secrets here, just a simple recipe with delicious results. But I’ll go through the steps.

  • This recipe is written using 8-ounce ramekin dishes. You could use different-sized baking dishes, but you will need to adjust the baking time. I recommend using something comparable to this 8-ounce size.
    • Begin by greasing the ramekin dishes with butter or shortening, then lightly dust them with cocoa powder. This allows the baked cakes to release cleanly from the dish when you flip them over to serve.
  • Next, melt the butter and chocolate in a double boiler over medium heat. Cut the butter and chocolate into smaller pieces to speed up the melting time. Stir occasionally until the butter and chocolate are completely melted, smooth, and creamy. You could also melt the butter and chocolate in the microwave. Place the cut-up butter into a medium heat-proof bowl, then add the chopped chocolate on top. Microwave on high for 20 seconds, then in 10-second increments, stirring after each until completely smooth. Set aside.
    • A note on the chocolate – Do not use chocolate chips. They have an ingredient in them that prevents them from melting smoothly. That is why they hold their shape when used in chocolate chip cookies. When you are melting chocolate, you want to use chocolate baking bars because they are made to be melted and will yield smoother melted chocolate.
  • Sift together the flour, powdered sugar, and instant coffee. **Instant coffee enhances the chocolate flavor, and I highly recommend using it to get that rich, decadent chocolate flavor.
  • Whisk the eggs until they are pale and foamy.
  • Add the chocolate mixture, eggs, vanilla, and salt to the flour mixture. Stir with a whisk until combined.
  • Pour equal amounts into the prepared ramekin dishes and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. **They will look under-baked. The sides should look done, but the center should still be soft. If you bake these too long, the center won’t be runny like you want it to be.
  • Allow it to cool for two minutes. Then place an inverted plate on top of the cake, and using a kitchen towel or oven mitts, flip the cake and the plate over. It should release easily from the ramekin.

Lava Cake Toppings:

This is where you can get creative! Once you flip the cakes over, you have all kinds of options for toppings. I typically go with vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, and strawberries or raspberries. But you could use any flavor of ice cream you like; chocolate, mint chocolate chip, rocky road, etc…Some other great options are salted caramel, whipped cream, raspberry sauce, sprinkles, or chopped nuts…Let your imagination run wild! Whatever you decide, Enjoy!

Chocolate Lava Cake for Two

Warm, rich, indulgent lava cake is the perfect dessert to complete any special or romantic dinner. Easy to make and comes together in just 30 minutes. Top with vanilla ice cream and fresh raspberries for a dessert that's sure to impress!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 2 cakes

Ingredients
 

Preparing Ramekins:

  • butter or shortening for greasing ramekins
  • cocoa powder for dusting ramekins

For the Cakes:

  • 4 ounces semisweet baking chocolate, (not chocolate chips)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 3 eggs
  • ⅓ cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup flour
  • ½ teaspoon instant coffee
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • pinch of salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • Prepare your 8-ounce ramekins by greasing the bottoms and sides with butter or shortening. Then dust with powdered cocoa, making sure all surfaces are covered. Set aside.
  • Cut up the butter and chocolate into smaller pieces for quicker melting. Melt the butter and chocolate in a double boiler over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat when mostly melted and stir until smooth and creamy.
    **Microwave Instructions: Place the cut-up butter into a medium heat-proof bowl, then add chopped chocolate on top. Microwave on high for 20 seconds, then continue in 10-second increments, stirring after each, until completely melted and smooth. Set aside.
  • Sift the flour, powdered sugar, and instant coffee together into a medium bowl. Set aside.
  • Whisk the eggs in a separate bowl until pale and foamy. Set aside.
  • Add the chocolate mixture, the eggs, vanilla, and salt to the flour mixture and whisk slowly until just combined and smooth.
  • Pour the cake batter into the prepared ramekins, filling almost to the top. Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. **Do not overbake! The sides should look done, but the center should still look soft and jiggly. Also, it should look slightly underdone.
  • Remove the cakes from the oven and let cool for 2 minutes. Then using a kitchen towel or oven mitts, place an inverted plate on top of the ramekin and flip it over. The cake should release easily from the ramekin.
  • Serve immediately while still warm.
  • Topping Suggestions: Vanilla ice cream (or other ice cream flavor), chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, raspberries, or strawberries.
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PUMPKIN ROLL

The pumpkin roll is a favorite in our house, and I think it will be in yours too! With a delicious pumpkin cake and a smooth, creamy filling, your friends and family will be amazed! But nobody needs to know just how easy it was to make.

When the kids see I have bought canned pumpkin, they always ask me to make a pumpkin roll – and I am happy to oblige! This pumpkin roll is my favorite pumpkin recipe…or maybe it’s my Haupia Pumpkin Pie…no the pumpkin roll. Okay, perhaps we will call it a tie (can you tell I love pumpkin!). This is also a fun dessert to serve friends and family because not only does it taste amazing, it’s a beautiful dessert – look at that stunning spiral of creamy goodness! The combination of the cream cheese filling surrounded by pumpkin cake makes for an absolutely delicious dessert that I believe will become a favorite in your house too!

Honestly, making a pumpkin roll is easier than you might think. I’ll share my tips and tricks below. After you make this once, you’ll realize that it’s not too complicated and absolutely worth taking the time to make. One word of advice, do not rush the process! Allow the cake to cool completely before adding the filling, then chill thoroughly before cutting into it.

 How to Make the Perfect Pumpkin Roll:

  • Begin by preheating the oven to 375°F degrees. Then prepare the baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper, making sure that it goes up all the sides. Next, lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray. The parchment paper and cooking spray are important because you need the cake to come out cleanly. You do not want the cake to stick or tear.
  • Combine all the wet ingredients in a medium bowl and the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Then mix everything, stirring only until combined. Do not overmix! Spread evenly in the prepared pan. Bake 13-15 minutes or until the center of the cake springs back when touched.

Now the Important Steps:

  • STEP 1: As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, flip it out of the pan. The easiest way I have discovered to do this is to take a large cutting board covered with parchment paper and place it on top of the cake in the pan (parchment paper down, so when you flip it, the cake is sitting on top of the parchment paper). Using oven mitts, flip the pan with the cake and the cutting board in one swift movement. If the parchment paper lining the baking sheet comes out with the cake, carefully peel it off the cake.

  • STEP 2: Immediately, while the cake is hot, roll the cake and the parchment paper into a tight roll, starting at the short end. It is critical that you roll the parchment paper with the cake; otherwise, as the cake cools, it will stick to itself, and you’ll never get it unrolled. Next, allow the rolled cake to cool completely on the counter. I usually allow for 2 hours for it to cool. If your cake hasn’t cooled completely, the filling will become runny and won’t hold its shape. So don’t rush the cooling step.

  • STEP 3: Once the cake has thoroughly cooled, mix the filling ingredients – cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla with a handheld mixer. Beat until smooth. Next, carefully unroll the cake and discard the parchment paper. Don’t worry about getting the cake completely flat, just flat enough to spread the filling on the cake. Spread an even layer of the filling over the cake.

  • STEP 4: Reroll the cake and wrap it in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

To serve, sprinkle the cake with powdered sugar (optional) and cut it into one-inch-thick slices. Enjoy!

The baking sheet that I use for my pumpkin rolls.

Pumpkin Roll

The pumpkin roll is a favorite in our house, and I think it will be in yours too! With a delicious pumpkin cake and a smooth, creamy filling, your friends and family will be amazed! But nobody needs to know just how easy it was to make.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Cooling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 10 slices

Equipment

  • 17 inch baking sheet

Ingredients
 

For the Cake:

  • 1 cup flour + 2 tablespoons
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 ½ tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree

For the Filling

  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 6 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions
 

For the Cake:

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a 17-inch cookie sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Cover a large cutting board with parchment paper and set it aside.
  • In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
  • In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat eggs, vanilla, and sugar until thick. Add in the pumpkin, and mix to combine.
  • Stir the flour mixture into the pumpkin mixture.
  • Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until the top of the cake springs back when touched.
  • When you take the cake out of the oven, immediately turn the cake onto the parchment paper-covered cutting board. It's easiest to put the parchment paper and cutting board on top of the cake and flip them together in one swift movement. Then gently loosen and peel off the parchment paper that was baked with the cake.
  • Immediately, while the cake is still hot, roll up the cake and the parchment paper together, starting at the narrow end. Cool completely on a wire cooling rack (about 2 hours).

For the Filling:

  • Once the cake is cool, prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  • Carefully unroll the cooled cake, removing and discarding the parchment paper.
  • Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cake. Reroll cake.
  • Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours.
  • Dust with powdered sugar, cut into 1-inch thick slices and serve.
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PUMPKIN CRUNCH CAKE

Soft pumpkin on the bottom and crunchy cake and pecans on top…This recipe has all the fantastic flavors of fall in one dish. Perfect for serving at your next fall gathering.

Fall is here! I absolutely love fall! I love everything about fall: cool crisp air, cozy sweaters, changing leaves, harvest parties, the anticipation of the coming holidays, and pumpkin everything–pumpkin pie, pumpkin donuts, pumpkin bread – I could go on and on! And I am beyond excited to work on my delicious pumpkin recipes to share with you!

Funny thing, we don’t really have a true fall season in Hawaii. The leaves don’t change, and the air doesn’t get cool and crisp here, but having grown up in the Northwest and having experienced fall almost my whole life, it’s kind of ingrained in me. I have very vivid memories of fall; I can still smell the smells, feel the cold air, and hear the leaves crunching under my feet. So taking those memories, I recreate fall in our home, decorating with beautiful fall leaves and pumpkins and making delicious fall desserts! And here is one recipe that I make every fall.

For this recipe:

This recipe is really easy–it only tastes like it was a lot of work! But that will be our little secret.

  • In a large bowl, whisk the pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Mix until completely incorporated and smooth. Then, pour the pumpkin mixture into the prepared 9×13 baking dish.
  • With your hands, sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the pumpkin. DO NOT STIR! Equally distribute the cake batter (you want it as flat and level as possible, so when you pour the butter on top, it spreads out evenly and doesn’t puddle).
  • Melt 1 cup of butter and set aside.
  • In a small bowl, mix 1 cup of chopped pecans, 1 tablespoon of melted butter (from the butter you just melted), and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Stir until the pecans are evenly coated. This creates candied pecans, which will have a nice, sweet crunch when baked.
  • Pour the remaining butter over the top of the dry cake batter. Without mixing it into the cake batter, spread it out evenly, avoiding large puddles of butter forming.
  • Evenly distribute the sugar-coated pecans on top of the butter.
  • Bake for 40 minutes, then check the cake. If the top is browning, cover with tin foil and return to the oven. Bake for an additional 10 minutes (total of 50 minutes of cooking time). To check for doneness, insert a knife to check. If the blade comes out clean, the cake is done. If not, bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
  • On a wire cooling rack, allow the cake to cool completely. Once cooled, place in refrigerator to chill and to finish setting up for a few hours before serving.
  • Top with whipped cream and chopped pecans (optional). Serve.

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Soft pumpkin on the bottom and crunchy cake and pecans on top...This recipe has all the fantastic flavors of fall in one dish. Perfect for serving at your next fall gathering.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients
 

  • 1 (15 ounce) can of pumpkin
  • 1 (12 ounce) can of evaporated milk
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 box french vanilla cake mix, (you can also use yellow)
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 cup butter, melted

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
  • Whisk together in a large bowl the pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Mix until completely incorporated and smooth.
  • Pour the pumpkin mixture into the prepared 9x13 baking dish.
  • With your hands, sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the pumpkin. DO NOT STIR! Try to get the dry cake mix as even and level as possible.
  • Melt 1 cup of butter and set aside.
  • In a small bowl, mix 1 cup of chopped pecans, 1 tablespoon melted butter (from the butter you just melted), and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Stir together until the pecans are evenly coated.
  • Pour the remaining butter over the top of the dry cake batter. Without mixing it into the cake batter, try to spread it out evenly.
  • Evenly distribute the sugar-coated pecans on top of the butter.
  • Bake for 40 minutes, then check the cake; if the top is browning, cover with tin foil, return to the oven and finish baking for an additional 10 minutes (for a total of 50 minutes). Insert a knife; if it comes out clean, the cake is done; if not, bake for an additional 5 minutes.
  • Allow cake to cool on a wire cooling rack. Once the cake is cooled, place it in the refrigerator to chill and finish setting up for a few hours before serving.
  • Top with whip cream and additional chopped pecans (optional), and serve.
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