Description
Seasonal flavors dance in this delightful Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Layer Cake, blending warm spices with rich chocolate. Moist layers promise comfort and indulgence, inviting bakers to savor autumn’s sweetest celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Cake Base):
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger
- 0.25 teaspoon ground cloves
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate and Decoration:
- 1.5 cups mini chocolate chips
- 12 ounces (340 grams) cream cheese
- 0.75 cup unsalted butter
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Extra mini chocolate chips
- Ground cinnamon
- Pumpkin seeds
- Chocolate curls
Instructions
- Prepare the baking workspace by heating the oven to 350°F and preparing two 9-inch cake pans with grease and parchment paper lining.
- Create the dry mixture by thoroughly whisking flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, blend pumpkin puree with vegetable oil, both sugar varieties, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to prevent overmixing. Carefully incorporate chocolate chips throughout the batter.
- Distribute the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans, ensuring uniform thickness for consistent baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean with minimal crumbs.
- Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- Prepare the frosting by whipping cream cheese and butter until silky smooth, gradually introducing powdered sugar while beating until light and fluffy.
- Enhance frosting with vanilla extract, adjusting consistency with milk if necessary.
- Once cakes are entirely cooled, apply a generous frosting layer between cake layers, then cover the entire exterior with remaining frosting.
- Optional: Embellish the cake with additional chocolate chips or a delicate dusting of cinnamon for visual appeal.
Notes
- Replace vegetable oil with applesauce or Greek yogurt for a healthier, lower-fat version of the cake that maintains moisture and tenderness.
- Toast chocolate chips before folding into batter to enhance their nutty flavor and add depth to the overall taste profile of the cake.
- Use room temperature ingredients, especially eggs and cream cheese, to ensure smoother mixing and a more consistent cake texture that prevents lumpy frosting.
- Swap regular chocolate chips with dark chocolate or sugar-free chips for diabetic-friendly or low-sugar dietary modifications that still deliver rich chocolate flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 47 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg