Skip to main content

Spiced pumpkin Halloween cake

 

Method 1

Ingredients

175ml vegetable oil, plus extra for the tins

250g self-raising flour

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon, plus extra for dusting

½ tsp ground ginger

½ tsp ground nutmeg

½ tsp ground cloves

200g caster sugar

200g light brown soft sugar

3 eggs

250g pumpkin purée (see tip, below)

150ml milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

For the ghosts

200g white chocolate

black edible icing pen

mini gold moon and star sprinkles (optional)

For the icing

200g soft cheese

175g unsalted butter, softened

600g icing sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

orange and pink gel food colouring

STEP 1

Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Oil two 20cm round cake tins and line the bases with baking parchment. Combine the flour, bicarb, spices and ½ tsp salt in a large bowl. Whisk the sugars, oil, eggs, pumpkin purée, milk and vanilla together in a second large bowl using a wooden spoon until well combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, then whisk until smooth. Divide the batter between the tins and shake gently to level the surface.

STEP 2

Bake for 30 mins until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cakes comes out clean. Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tins for 10 mins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

STEP 3

While the cakes are cooling, prepare the ghosts and icing. For the ghosts, break the chocolate into a heatproof bowl and melt in the microwave in short 30-second bursts, stirring between each, or over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally. Line a baking tray with parchment. Make the ghosts by spooning a teaspoon of melted chocolate onto the parchment, then dragging the spoon through it to make the ghost’s tail. Repeat until you’ve used up all the chocolate, then chill for at least 30 mins. Draw on eyes and mouths using the icing pen.

STEP 4

To make the icing, beat the soft cheese and butter together in a bowl until creamy and smooth. Gradually add the icing sugar and vanilla, beating until light and fluffy. Divide the icing between two bowls. Colour one with a drop of orange food colouring and the other with a drop of pink colouring.

STEP 5

Once the cakes are completely cooled, put one sponge on a serving plate or cake stand. Spoon a dollop each of pink and orange icing on the cake, spread to the edges, then put the second sponge on top. Use a palette knife to dot blobs of the two icings over the cake, then spread evenly over the top and sides, creating a marbled effect. Gently press the spooky ghosts and sprinkles, if using, into the icing. Leftover cake will keep chilled in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Can be kept frozen, un-iced, for up to two months.

Recipe tip

Buy cooked puréed pumpkin in a can for this recipe, or steam or microwave fresh pumpkin until tender, then blitz to a silky purée.


Method 2

Ingredients:

- 2 cups all-purpose flour

- 2 tsp baking powder

- 1 tsp baking soda

- 1/2 tsp salt

- 1 tsp cinnamon

- 1/2 tsp nutmeg

- 1/4 tsp cloves

- 1/4 tsp allspice

- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

- 1 cup brown sugar

- 1/2 cup granulated sugar

- 2 eggs

- 1 cup pumpkin puree

- 1 tsp vanilla extract

- 1/2 cup buttermilk

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease a 9-inch round cake pan.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice.

3. In a separate large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy.

4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract.

5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, until just combined.

6. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

7. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

8. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

9. Once the cake is cooled, you can decorate it with your favorite Halloween-themed decorations like orange and black icing, candy corn, or Halloween sprinkles.



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dumplings

  Method 1 Ingredients 150g self-raising flour plus a little extra 70g suet small handful of parsley chopped (optional) step 1 Whilst your stew is bubbling, make the dumplings. Weigh the flour into a bowl and add ½ tsp salt. Stir through the suet and parsley, if using. Make a well in the centre and add 3 tbsp cold water, mix to a dough, adding more water until the dough is firm but pliable. Divide into eight equal pieces and roll in a little more flour into balls. Chill until needed. step 2 When the stew has about 30 mins to go, arrange the dumplings on top and cover with a lid. With the oven at 160C/140C fan/gas 3, cook the stew and dumplings for 20 mins, then remove the lid and cook for another 10 mins until they’re brown and puffed up. Method 2 🥣 Traditional British Dumplings (with Suet) 📝 Ingredients (Makes 6–8 dumplings): 100g self-raising flour 50g shredded suet (beef or vegetable) Pinch of salt Cold water, approx. 4–5 tbsp 🔧 Instructions: Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, m...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sichuan chicken

  Method 1 Ingredients 500g boneless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces 25g dried Sichuan chillies deseeded and cut into 3 pieces neutral-tasting oil such as vegetable, for deep-frying 1 tbsp dried red Sichuan peppercorns 1 tbsp dried green Sichuan peppercorns 15g ginger peeled and finely chopped 4 garlic cloves finely chopped 2 spring onions finely sliced, whites and green parts separated 3 tbsp unsalted roasted peanuts 2 tbsp sesame seeds ½ tbsp light soy sauce ½ tsp sugar For the marinade ½ tsp ground white pepper ½ tsp chicken bouillon 1 tbsp Shaohsing wine 1½ tbsp light soy sauce 2½ tbsp cornflour 1 tbsp corn oil step 1 Combine all the marinade ingredients, except the cornflour and oil, with ¼ tsp salt in a large bowl, then stir in the chicken thigh pieces to coat. Cover and chill for 30 mins. Add the cornflour and mix well, then add the oil and stir again to combine. step 2 Put the dried Sichuan chillies in a colander and shake to remove any excess seeds. Transfer to a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Crumpet pizzas

  Method 1 Ingredients 6 crumpets 4 tbsp passata 4 tbsp ketchup ½ tsp dried oregano toppings of your choice (peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, sweetcorn, olives, ham and basil all work well) 75g cheddar cheese grated step 1 Heat the grill to high. Lightly toast the crumpets in a toaster or under the grill. Meanwhile, mix the passata, ketchup and oregano together in a bowl. Season. Chop your chosen toppings into small pieces – young children can tear basil, or chop soft veg in a cup using safety scissors. step 2 Line a baking tray with foil. Spread the sauce over the crumpets, then top with the veg and cheese. Arrange on the tray and grill for 3-4 mins, until the cheese is golden and bubbling. Leave to cool slightly before eating. Method 2 🧺 Ingredients (makes 6 mini pizzas / serves 2–3) Base: 6 crumpets (regular or sourdough) 1–2 tbsp olive oil (optional, for brushing) Tomato sauce: 4 tbsp passata or pizza sauce 1 tsp tomato purée (optional, for richness) ½ tsp dried oregano or...
Post a Comment
Read more