Pecan Praline Pumpkin Torte

Two of the season’s most beloved flavors are combined in one delicious cake! It’s simple to assemble and makes a great alternative to pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving Day dessert.

Pumpkin pie recipes are plentiful on the blogosphere right now, but I’d like to draw your attention to this pumpkin cake for just a moment. It’s a rustic beauty that isn’t too hard to put together, and it’s one of the tastiest pumpkin cakes I’ve ever made. The batter is loaded with pumpkin puree, which is then poured atop a pool of butter caramel and chopped pecans.

At the end of baking you’ll have two caramel upside-down cakes with sugar-crusted edges. The two cakes are layered with freshly whipped cream, which balances the sweetness of the pecan praline topping.

If you’re like me, and stock cans of pumpkin in fall months, then you may already have all the ingredients on hand to make this torte.

Mmm…praline!

Buttery brown sugar caramel is cooked on the stove top and then poured into two lined 9-inch pans. I recommend using 9×3-inch pans for this recipe (or two spring-form pans) because my 9×2-inch pans bubbled over just a little bit in the oven. The mess was minimal (1-2 drips) so if you don’t have the larger cake pans, a sheet of aluminum placed under them in the oven will help avoid drips on the oven floor.

If you’re looking for crunchy pecan goodness (sans pecan pie) then this torte has plenty!

The cake batter is thick and fluffy. Pour the batter in, then spread it gently with an offset spatula to the edges of the pan.

Turned out of the pans, the butter-caramel has cooked is cooked to praline consistency. This flavor and texture is SO delicious with the crunchy pecans.

Layer the cake with freshly whipped cream – and the decor on top? – More chopped pecans!

I’ll say it again: this is such an easy layer cake to make! It is wonderful at room temperature. But I think we enjoyed it even more the next day after it chilled in the refrigerator overnight.

If you’re looking for an even easier pumpkin dessert, try my Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding with Toffee Sauce – so good!

This blog post is brought to you by Go Bold With Butter! Be sure to check out all their excellent recipes made with real butter and dairy!

Pecan Praline Pumpkin Torte

Heather Baird

Two of the season’s most beloved flavors are combined in one delicious cake! It’s simple to assemble and makes a great alternative to pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving Day dessert.

4.50 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 1 cup light brown sugar, loosely packed
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter
• 1 3/4 cups heavy cream, divided
• 1 1/4 cups chopped pecans, divided
• 4 eggs
• 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups canned pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract divided
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup 60g powdered sugar

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Spray two 9×3-inch round cake pans with flour-based baking spray and line bottoms of pans with parchment. In a medium saucepan, stir together brown sugar, butter and 3 tablespoons cream over low heat until melted, about 5 minutes. Pour brown sugar mixture into prepared pans, dividing equally. Divide 1 cup of chopped pecans between the pans, sprinkling evenly.
• Beat eggs, sugar and oil in bowl of an electric mixer until well blended; stir in pumpkin and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice and salt in a separate bowl. Add dry ingredients to pumpkin mixture and stir until incorporated. Pour half of the batter into each pan and smooth tops using a rubber spatula.
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center of cakes comes out clean. Let cool in pans about five minutes, then invert out onto racks and remove paper. Let cool completely.
• Beat remaining 1 3/4 cups cream in a large bowl with mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add in powdered sugar and remaining vanilla extract. Set one cake layer on a serving plate, pecan praline side up. Spread two-thirds of whipped cream mixture over top, and add second cake layer with praline side up. Top with remaining whipped cream mixture and sprinkle with remaining pecans.
• This cake can be served at room temperature, but it’s also very tasty when served chilled!

Notes

I recommend using 9×3-inch pans for this recipe (or two spring-form pans) because my 9×2-inch pans bubbled over just a little bit in the oven. The mess was minimal (1-2 drips) so if you don’t have the larger cake pans, a sheet of aluminum placed under them in the oven will help avoid drips on the oven floor.

Keyword brown sugar, canned pumpkin puree, chopped pecans, heavy cream

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