It’s definitely that pumpkin time of year, everywhere I look I see my friends creating all of these wonderful Pumpkin treats, and the skies the limit! I am so proud to be part of this wonderful online community with so many creative, talented people sharing their recipes with us, and just when I thought I had seen it all, someone surprises me!! Life is good when you can learn something new everyday!
So my friends that being said, I would like to share with you a cake that is sure to please. I have been making this since my restaurant days many years ago, when I became the reluctant baker at a restaurant I worked at. It is adapted from my first baking book, Good Housekeeping Illustrated (it had pictures…lol). When ever I make it, it becomes everyone’s instant favorite, I get requests for whole cakes, recipes and even marriage proposals…lol….yes its just that good! So when you try it at home, be prepared to wow your family and friends!
This cake fits in perfectly from October till December, after that you’ll just have to think of an excuse to make it, but what ever you do, just make it!! Now I always make this cake with 4 layers, it just looks spectacular with 4 layers, but feel free to cut it down to 3 layers. I also varied my normal cream cheese frosting by adding in some Marscapone Cheese, you can use all cream cheese if you like.
To cut this cake, I would advise using a serrated knife, the crunch topping is a little hard to cut through. I also make extra crunch topping to decorate the sides and tops with, to me it covers up all my imperfections, but feel free to leave it plain.
Adapted from Good House Keeping Desserts
Crunch Topping
3 Cups Walnuts, finely chopped
3 Cups Vanilla Wafers (about 75 cookies)
3 Cups Brown Sugar
3 Sticks Butter
1. Melt Butter
2. In a food processor, pulse cookies to a fine crumb
3. Then Pulse walnuts to a fine chop
4. Add in Brown Sugar and mix well.
5. Add in Melted Butter and blend together.
6. Divide mixture into 4 Cake Coated Cake Pans, pressing into bottom and spreading it evenly into the cake pans. Reserve about 2 cups of the mixture which will be baked to use on the sides of the cake.
7. Set pans aside and begin cake.
8. Pre heat Oven to 350 degrees.
Pumpkin Crunch Cake
1 1/4 Cup Sugar
1 1/2 sticks of Softened Butter
1 16 oz can Solid Pack Pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
2 1/2 Cups Flour
1/2 Cup Greek Yogurt
1 Tablespoon Pure Vanilla
1 Tablespoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
2 1/4 Teaspoons Baking Powder
3/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
3 Large Eggs
1. In your mixer beat sugar and butter for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy, scrapping down the bowl frequently .
2. Add In Pumpkin and all the rest of the ingredients, except the eggs. Mix just until blended.
3. Add in the Eggs, one at a time just until blended.
4. Divide batter equally into your 4 prepared cake pans, smooth it out and make it as even as possible in the pan.
5. Place remaining crunch mixture in another cake pan or pie dish and allow to bake for the smae amount of time as the cakes.
6. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If you use 2 racks to bake on in the oven, at the halfway mark rotate the pans .
7. Allow pans to cool about 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire racks and allow to completely cool.
8. break up the extra crunch mix to very small bits to use to decorate the cake with.
while your cakes are baking prepare a Cream Cheese Frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting
3 8 oz packs Cream cheese
16 oz Marscapone
2 sticks Softened Butter
1 lb 10 x Sugar
1 Tablespoon Pure Vanilla
Whip the cream cheese, marscapone, and butter till very smooth and creamy
Slowly add in the 10x sugar while mixer is on low setting
Add in Vanilla and mix well. Set aside till needed.
After your cake is completely cooled ( you can even refrigerate for a few hours) begin frosting the layers and putting the cake together. After you have assembled all the layers with some frosting between them, start to spread the remaining frosting on the sides and top. When finished frosting, coat sides and top with your extra crunch mixture ( you can eliminate this step).
Now your incredibly good Pumpkin Crunch Cake is finished. It should be allowed to chill for a few hours before cutting, it will help firm up this cake. But you can eat it right away if you just can’t wait! I know you will enjoy this and anyone you feed it too will soon be asking for the recipe! This time of year when the weather turns chilly, and the night comes quicker is my favorite time for family and friends. Sharing a cup of mulled cider, hot chocolate, or the beverage of your choice, with some freshly baked treat……sigh…..it just doesn’t get better than that. Sitting on the porch, or out by a fire pit, looking up at the clear night sky, counting the stars, laughing with friends, or steeling a kiss from your sweetie. Fall nights were made for sharing, so make sure you take some time to enjoy them.
That’s it for today, right now I am just counting down the days till the Food Buzz Festival, I made my hotel reservations, so now I am ready to go!! Thanks for stopping by!!
Oh dear… oh dear. I would eat that whole cake if I could. That frosting is just calling my name. Bring some to FBZ Fest please!
I need to get on the pumpkin bandwagon, but there are so many awesome recipes out there I just can't decide what to make! This cake definitely a contender. Thanks!
Oh wow! I will have to make this – looks SO good!
Wow!!!…..OMG!!……This is an amazing pumpkin cake….it looks so yummy!!!….it is difficult to avoid it…..at least three slices for me!!…..Abrazotes, Marcela
This cake is a showstopper! It looks moist and just delicious. So happy you shared it so I can wow my family with it during the holidays:)
Wowza Chef! What a beautious and seriously delicious looking cake! I luv the described texture. Enough said…I have to try this.
I don't even care about pumpkin things much, but I would die for this cake! Amazing!
This cake looks amazing!! I love adding crunchy toppings to cake for texture.
This sounds heavenly! I love the addition of the crunch in the cake! What a wonderful contrast
! Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe!
That cake! It just looks amazing, I'd love a piece right now
I am adding this to my list of 20+ pumpkin recipes to try! Looks amazing!
This is a great pumpkin cake for sure. Look at all of those layers, and that cream cheese frosting! This cake is like the mother of all pumpkin desserts! Thanks for the recipe.
Chef what a delicious and beautiful cake. This cake would not last long in our house!
What a delicious cake. I love the crunch topping, can't wait to try it, I'm sure my husband will love it and beg for more. Thanks for sharing
::sigh:: If you didn't already know that I'm married and love my husband (and there's the fact that I know you're married and love your wife), I'd propose marriage for this cake.
While three layers would be fine, I can't imagine not following your recipe (and instructions) and doing all four. It's spectacular. I'm bringing this to my family's house for Thanksgiving.
Thank you, Chef.
This is definitely one I am going to have to try! What a beauty.
This looks amazing, and so impressive! I love pumpkin recipes, but this just may be the best one yet
This looks amazing, and so impressive! I love pumpkin recipes, but this just may be the best one yet
Decadent!
Mandy
Chef, we can't buy pumpkin in a can here, would I use the same amount of cooked pureed pumpkin?
I love the sound of that crunch topping- that cake looks SO good!
Marvelous!!! What a great cake to make now. I am in love with the crunchy topping. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Have a great week
This is such a tall cake. Looks pretty and yummy!
Lovely cake ! I love tall cake but assembling them takes skill and I am not good at it. Quite clumsy too
Thanks for sharing this pumpkin layer cakes…love it. Have KIV it !
oh ,dennis ,you make my day with this lovely cake!awesome!
No no no, this cake can't be three layers. In fact, the more layers, the better. I wouldn't dare think of cutting this delicious wonderfulness down to 3 layers. I've never had pumpkin cake before, but to top this off with cream cheese and a crunchy walnut and vanilla wafer topping is just irresistible. No wonder you even got marriage proposals with this, Chef Dennis…lol. A perfect cake to share and end the night's meal with friends and family.
Looks totally decadent and wonderful! YUM! One for the "must try list", for sure! So beautiful, too! Have a great week!
Dennis, will you marry me and make me this cake for the rest of my life? Oh… OHHH, I forgot we're both already married (to other people)! It does look THAT good, but wondering if it tastes better in 5 layers?
Simply Mouth Watering !
No zucchini blossoms as decorations! Just kidding! Beautiful and moist truly a fall cake rich in flavor and texture. Addition of mascarpone is great in contrast with the taste. I would just add cinnamon , I add cinnamon everywhere I can!
Que bizcocho, madre mía. Esto es espectacular, me encanta.
Me lo anoto para ver si soy capaz de hacerlo. Excelente.
Saludos
Imagine how welcome you would be if you brought this cake to a friends house??!!?
Have to go searching for the elusive canned pumpkin now!!
Omgosh Dennis this looks so good! I miss a good cake.
What a beautiful cake! That is the perfect recipe when expecting my gang for the weekend.
Thank you for your tips with FoodBuzz; I was able to add the widget to my blog.
goodness, you got me with the topping – 3 sticks of butter… no wonder it looks so good … great use of pumpkin and like the mascarpone addition…
Your Great Pumpkin Cake is a real show-stopper, Dennis! Spectacular! Thanks for sharing it.
What a beautiful cake Chef! It's almost too pretty to eat… Almost
Oh My Heaven!!! Amazingly beautiful and I'm sure it's just as delicious!
Wow–I'd be happy to munch on just the crumble topping! This cake is truly great–look at all those gorgeous layers!
Dennis Absolutely delicious, I love all pumpkin treats ar delicious! and this look amazing, and I really love Charlie Brown of course…
have a lovely week! gloria
Dennis this cake just looks to good to eat! I love the addition of mascarpone in the frosting, I am a huge fan.
This cake is fabulous, I think you are right… 4 layers is the way to go! Great idea to add Mascarpone to the frosting, Delish!
I just fell out of my chair.
I have to admit that I haven't made anything pumpkin yet because I don't like pumpkin in my desserts that much…have said that….now I look at your cake, and I think the previous statement is part of my past: I will sure try the Great Pumpkin Cake
Geez Dennis! You've absolutely outdone yourself with this one! That cake is simply gorgeous. I want a piece (or three) right now!
That is one good looking cake! Reminds me of a carrot cake, but I love that you used pumpkin instead – would make it so moist, right?
Now that is a CAKE, beautifull
I am a total sucker for anything pumpkin! This looks fantastic and what I wouldn't give for a slice right now! YUMMMMMMM
oh goodness, dennis that looks spectacular!! my mouth is watering,
anne
http://www.anniebakes.net
Indeed that is the Great Pumpkin Cake!! 4 tiers of pumpkin goodness slathered in cream cheese marscapone frosting? Chef Dennis, you are a very bad man!! Good think I like badness
Looks amazing, impressive and very professional. You rule!
PS can you imagine garnishing this with candied pumpkin squash blossoms??? Its be pumpkin cake nirvana then
Stunning!! So beautiful, and it looks just delicious!!
Oh my lord, that is gorgeous. Will you marry me? Kidding, of course, sort of
Pumpkin heaven! Wish I had a piece right now! I will have to find time to bake this one, even though I'm already married and don't need any proposals.
WHOAH I think I just drooled on my keyboard a little bit. I am definitely trying this cake! Thank you!!
The King of the cakes.
Lovely combination of flavours and outstanding frosting.
Yummy ♥
O boy…look at the pumpkin cake! Chef D, I am really in awe of your baking and cooking.
I love the title of this post! I love Charlie Brown! The cake looks divine Dennis!
Love pumpkin "anything". This is a beautiful cake. How great to use marscapone cheese.
Omigosh – how scrumptious is that? Pumpkins are so welcoming and then they yield the most wonderful treats. Definitely would do the mascarpone. Loving that it has yogurt.Oh who am I kidding? Love it all!
Oh yes, I think that just might be the prettiest pumpkin cake I've ever seen! I can see how it would evoke marriage proposals, lol!
wow, when i saw these photos i actually said 'holy crap!' out loud. i am impressed, as i am not one for mild profanities to nobody. thank you so much for this wonderful recipe, i can't wait to try it!
http://www.icyviolets.blogspot.com
I love pumpkin and this looks divine
I would guess that this cake could easily have a following, looks to good to be made only around the time of the coming of the great pumpkin. I was just checking out the cover of Fine Cooking which has a photo of a beautiful pumpkin layer cake similar to yours but they haven't got anything on you:)
That's a great idea about the mascarpone! I have a pumpkin ravioli recipe that has mascarpone in it but hadn't thought about bringing it over to the sweet side (besides Tiramisu).
Oh wow, that looks amazing!
So glad I stocked up on pumpkin today! That is the great pumpkin cake, love the crunch topping idea. I know what I'll be making this weekend.
-Gina-
What a showstopper! This cake looks absolutely amazing. Love everything about it
)
Look at this cake! It's the ultimate fall dessert, and quite a beauty at that. Thank you for sharing, Dennis – It's magnificent and making me drool for a slice!
i just think it's funny that your post is about the great pumpkin cake and mine is about the great pumpkin carve, but both playing on the charlie brown line. we must both be super smarty pants! but alas, only one of us can cook!
Another wonderful cake from someone who doesn't consider himself a baker! I could jump right through this screen for a piece of that! I wish I was going to Foodbuzz!
wow what a cake looks perfect your such a talent
This cake is beautiful!! Now I just need to come up with an excuse to make it…
Consumed: My Culinary Adventure
Whoever got to eat this cake was a very lucky person! Wow! I don't think I've seen anything more inspired this week. I adore pumpkin baked goods, but this cake really knocks my favorites out of the water. The crunch topping is brilliant. I'm sure it added such a lovely contrast to the moist cake and creamy frosting. Thanks for sharing, my dear friend!
Oooohmg!!1 seriously? this has become my favorite and I haven't even TASTED it yet! Ok, you've twisted my arm, I'm going to make this. thank you (my waist does not share that sentiment) for sharing the recipe
Okay, I am TOTALLY making this cake on Saturday for a Halloween party…. PLEASE PEASE answer this question… (sorry I am a new baker)
If I ONLY use Cream Cheese for frosting do I use (5) 8 oz packs Cream cheese???
And MORE importantly: does this mean 10 pounds of Powdered Sugar?
1 lb 10 x Sugar
My email is: tinahudgens@aol.com
Someone PLEASE email me!
Chef Dennis, this cake looks incredibly good! I love the crunchy toppings, I love the tall cake! If I can get hold of all the ingredients, definitely will give this cake a go.
yumm! that looks super moist!
This is definitely calling my name! I love pumpkin desserts more than anything and this cake looks absolutely stunning!
A great thing about a three-layered cake is it serves a lot of people! This one is a fall gem, Dennis. Copying now….
Wow. This cake looks amazing. Beautiful job.
Well, well, well, looks like I picked a pumpkin of a day to drop by. That cake looks sinful! The four layers add to its Pumpkinification!
Thank you so much for sharing, Dennis.
That cake is gorgeous! I love the layers and I love the variation with the marscarpone. I'll take a couple slices, one for each hip. p.s. thanks for your support Dennis! Means a lot.
Looks so amazingly delicious!! I want a slice right now!
Awesome cake Chef! So happy to see it as Top 9 today! Well-deserved!
LL
A magnificent cake! I love the crunch topping!
I have a feeling you've just managed to put this on everyone's to-do list for the season, including mine! This cake looks special, definitely fit for the holiday season. Can't wait to try it.
Congrats on this very well deserved Top 9!
Good thing I got down to #86 so at least I can congratulate you on being #1 for the Top 9 for October 26,2010. Let this be official!
You mentioned about wowing our family with this cake, well Dennis, you certainly WOWED US…WOW!
This is so spectacular, and amazingly delicious, I am at loss for more words…just simply mesmorized.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful cake, and the source, as well!
Hugs,
Elisabeth
i am off to the store for a can of punkin'…let the marriage proposals begin
HUGS to you CHEF
~victoria~
Beautiful, Dennis! I was just thinking to make some pumpkin muffins with cream cheese frosting and nuts. Now, I'm thinking 'mascarpone'. That sounds so good…
Ooh, and congrats on being number 1 on The Top 9! You deserve it, Chef!
seriously Dennis, vanilla wafers?? YES, YES, and YES!!!!!
the multitude of icing layered throughout makes the pumpkin stand out in contrast! so yummy looking
best is that its got crunch factor too!!!
Oh my!!! I am not a good cake maker, I just don't have the patience to make them look pretty, but this one is very much tempting me. I printed the recipe a day ago and have had it pinned to my board above my desk… just thinking! Beautiful Dennis!
congrats
delicious cakes and presentation
My daughter was asking for me to make a pumpkin cake this weekend… thanks to you, I will be making it. I might even make if for my hubby's birthday. Sounds perfect!
Pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting? Mmmm, delicious! Can I come over?
That looks so great! Love the crunchy bits.
My word, Dennis! That is the most stunning cake I have seen in ages!!! LOVE the crunchy topping and oh, that moist cake. Mmm. You've outdone yourself on this one!
Looks like a great cake for a party!
I love marscapone and cream cheese frosting. So yummy!
layer after layer after layer of tastiness! what a truly terrific cake, dennis!
Dennis – this is beautiful, stunning, mouth watering. I cannot wait to try it this weekend. You are truly amazing and I love following your blog.
Frankly, I wait all year for pumpkin and cream cheese goodness. I'm pretty much in heaven. (Only caramel could somehow make it better.)
Congrats on Top 9! This cake looks delicious, I have a can of pumpkin puree and just haven't been able to decide what to make with it, I just need an excuse for this cake now!I especially love the crunch topping, makes me think of all the other cakes I could put this on! Thanks
Oh My! this pumpkin cake is just so beautiful! I imagine biting into the crunchy thing on the frosting… very, very tempting!!
This looks absolutely delectable. I love the crunch topping, perhaps i'll throw on some toffee bits. I have found my Thanksgiving dessert! Thank you!
It looks like it is a great recipe. You are the winner of my CSN give away. Could you send me your email so I could send you your prize.
Oh sweet Lord!! That is what I call a cake! I've never made a bonafide layered, filled,frosted and topped fancy shmancy cake with pumpkin and your post is wonderful inspiration to get to it!!! It looks wonderful Dennis
You are a fabulous cook AND a baker! I wish I had a piece of this incredible looking cake RIGHT NOW. With my coffee. Yes.
I can haz Pumpkin Cake! Chef Denis I can see why you would get marriage proposals from this cake. O-M-G I'm in pumpkin heaven.
This looks absolutely amazing! I will definitely be making this sometime this season. I just have to think up an excuse to make it!
Thank you for posting this recipe. What size cake pans do you use? 8 or 9 inch or does it matter? thanks.
I just gained about 10 pounds looking at this cake! Oh, mercy! This is the best use of pumpkin that I have seen yet!
What an impressive stack of deliciousness! This is pretty much guaranteed to elicit oohs and aahs when sliced up, I am sure.
This looks amazing! Wow. Thanks for sharing!
The frosting looks so delish! I love cake, it wouldn't take long for me to devour the whole thing! Thanks for sharing this with us. We share all the delicious walnut recipes and news with all of our walnut loving friends. We would love to have you join us and tell us all about your walnut love! Hope to speak with you and read your posts again soon.
OMG! I absolutely love this cake! I wish my oven wasn't busted, coz I really need one asap
yeah. This does look amazing. Why didn't you bring me some???
I made this cake this weekend for my mother's birthday and it was a hit! This is definitely going into my fall baking rotation.
Hi
What did you use to coat your cake pans for this recipe.
hi Jackie
I just gave the pans a quick spray with food spray, the trick is to invert them while still fairly hot, they come out easy. If you let them cool just pop them on top of the stove for a moment to rewarm the topping and they will come out much easier. Just run a knife along the edges of the pan first
Dennis
Dennis, this looks aMAZing! Making it this weekend for my wife’s birthday and the family harvest party. Question though – does this recipe yield all 4 layers? Secondly, if I only use cream cheese, is that a total of 5 8-oz pkgs of cream cheese?
Thanks!