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Praline Pumpkin Torte

Notes: You can bake the cakes (through step 3) up to 1 day ahead; cover and store at room temperature. Up to 6 hours ahead, assemble layers; cover with a large inverted bowl or pan and chill. Prep and Cook Time: about 1 hour, plus 1 1/2 hours to cool cakes.

Praline Pumpkin Torte (1109)




Photography by Monica Buck
 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
 1/3 cup butter
 3 tablespoons plus 1 3/4 cups whipping cream
 1 cup chopped pecans
 4 large eggs
 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
 1 cup vegetable oil
 2 cups canned cooked pumpkin
 1 teaspoon vanilla
 2 cups all-purpose flour
 2 teaspoons baking powder
 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (or 3/4 teaspoon each ground cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg)
 1 teaspoon baking soda
 1 teaspoon salt
 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Step 1
1

Preheat oven to 350°. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms of pans with cooking parchment. In a heavy 1- to 2-quart pan over low heat, stir brown sugar, butter, and 3 tablespoons whipping cream until melted and blended, about 5 minutes. Pour half the brown sugar mixture into each of the cake pans. Sprinkle 3/4 cup chopped pecans evenly into pans.

Step 2
2

In a bowl, with a spoon, beat eggs, granulated sugar, and oil until well blended. Stir in pumpkin and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt to blend. Whisk dry ingredients into pumpkin mixture until well blended. Pour half the batter into each of the pans; smooth top.

Step 3
3

Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cakes comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool in pans on racks about 5 minutes, then invert onto racks and remove pans and paper. Let cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours.

Step 4
4

Up to 6 hours before serving, in a bowl, with an electric mixer on high speed, beat remaining 1 3/4 cups whipping cream until soft peaks form. On low speed, beat in powdered sugar and remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla just until blended. Set one cake layer, pecan praline side up, on a serving platter. Spread two-thirds of the whipped cream mixture over the top. Set second layer, praline side up, on top. Cover with remaining whipped cream mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup chopped pecans.

Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Calories 676Calories from Fat 59
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 44g68%

Saturated Fat 14g70%
Cholesterol 129mg43%
Sodium 481mg21%
Total Carbohydrate 66g22%

Dietary Fiber 2g8%
Protein 6.3g13%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.