I had every intention of posting a different recipe this week, but I feel like I finally perfected this one today and I need to share it with the world. So, HELLO WORLD! Let me introduce you to your new favorite fall dessert.
For the cake:
1 Cup Melted Butter
2 Cups Pumpkin Puree
2 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Seasoning
3/4 Cup HOT water
2 Cups Flour
2 Cups Sugar
Smidgen of Salt
4 oz Buttermilk
2 Eggs
2 tsp Baking Soda
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 tsp Maple Extract
2 Cups Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (optional)
Combine melted butter, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie seasoning in a bowl. Once combined, whisk in the hot water and set aside. In a separate bowl stir together the buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, vanilla, and maple. In yet another bowl (I know it's a lot of dishes but I pinky promise it's worth it) combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add the pumpkin mixture to the flour mixture and stir lightly. Then add the buttermilk mixture and stir until fully combined. Cook at 350* F in a greased jelly roll pan (cookie sheet size) for 17-20 minutes.
For the frosting (THIS FROSTING IS THE BEST PART):
1/2 Cup BROWNED Butter*
8 oz Cream Cheese
Smidgen of Salt
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
3/4 tsp Maple Extract
3 ish TBSP half and half or milk
1 1/2 lbs Powdered Sugar (about 3/4 of a standard bag)
In a stand mixer, combine butter, cream cheese, extracts, and salt. Add powdered sugar while mixing and keep adding sugar while mixing until the mixture looks almost crumbly. Once it's at a too-dry-to-be-frosting consistency (should be more than half a 2 pound bag) add half and half one tablespoon at a time until your frosting is the desired consistency.
Let the cake cool for a few minutes before spreading the frosting on.
*To brown butter, heat in a saucepan on medium-high heat while whisking constantly.Butter will start to boil, then will turn a neon yellow color and get foamy. Once the foam starts to go down you should start to see it darken to a caramel color. As soon as it starts darkening and smelling nutty, immediately remove it from heat. It burns very quickly so be careful! I have a highlight in my Instagram stories called "brown butter" if you want to see picture examples!Screen Shot-able Version:
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