1 to 2tblinstant espresso powder (use 2 tbsp for stronger coffee flavor)
2cupsgranulated sugar
1/2cupbrown sugar
3whole eggs at room temperature
1cupoil
2tspvanilla extract
15ozcanned pumpkin puree
Coffee Sugar Syrup
1cupwater
2/3cupgranulated sugar
1tbspinstant espresso powder
Whipped Cream Cheese Filling / Frosting
1pkgcream cheese at room temperature
2cupwhipping cream
3/4cuppowdered sugar
1tspVanilla Extract
Stabilized Whipped Cream
2cupwhipping cream
2/3cuppowdered sugar
2tspgranulated gelatin
3tbspwater
1tspVanilla Extract
Topping
1/2tspground cinnamon
Small Batch Marshmallow Fondant
4 ozmini marshmallows (115grams)
2cupspowdered sugar(sift if sugar has lumps)
1/2tbspwater
1/4tspvanilla
1tbspcrisco shortening
Instructions
Pumpkin Spice Cake
Preheat oven to 350F.
Prepare giant cupcake baking pans. Spray them generously with a non-stick spray. Or butter and flour both pans. To ensure even baking of the bottom cake layer (taller pan) place a greased flower nail in the center. It acts as heating core.
In a large bowl sift together flour (3cups), cinnamon (1tsp and 1/2tsp), ginger (1/4tsp), freshly zested nutmeg (1/2tsp), cloves(1/4tsp), baking powder (1tsp), baking soda (1tsp), salt(1tsp) and instant espresso powder ( 1 to 2tbsp, use 2tbsp if you like stronger coffee flavor). Set aside.
In a large bowl combine granulated sugar (2cups) and brown sugar (1cup).
Into the sugar beat eggs (3eggs at room temperature. Beat in one egg at a time. Beat until creamy and pale in color, 5 minutes or so. Beat in oil (1cup). Then beat in Vanilla Extract (2tsp)
On low speed, beat in flour mixture alternating with pumpkin puree (15oz).
Give the cake batter a last stir with a spatula and divide between the 2 prepared cake pan.
Make sure to place the baking pans on a flat baking sheet, for easier handling. Silicone molds are flexible and handling them too much can be difficult especially when they are filled with the cake batter.
Bake in the preheat oven at 350F for an 50 -60 minutes. Check the smaller pan at 40 minute mark. If done remove from the oven. Continue baking large pan until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cover cake loosely with a foil sprayed with a nonstick spray to prevent over-browning
Once baked, let them cool on the pan for 30 minutes, then loosen the edges of the mold by gently pulling them apart. Unmold the cakes and let them cool completely.
Coffee Sugar Syrup
Boil the sugar (2/3cup) and water (1cup), until sugar is dissolved, boil for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in instant espresso powder (1tbsp). Let cool.
Whipped Cream Cheese Filling / Frosting
Beat cream cheese with a wire beaters (1pkg, 8oz) until creamy, 30 seconds. Then gradually in 4 additions add whipping cream (2cups), beating well until combined. Then beat in powdered sugar (3/4 cup to 1 cup) and Vanilla extract (1tsp), until stiff peaks are formed.
Fill the cake and crumb-coat the top cake later.
Stabilized Whipped Cream
Stir gelatin (2tsp) and cold water (3tbsp). Let bloom for 5 minutes. Then microwave for 8 seconds until gelatin is completely dissolved and no longer grainy when mixture is rubbed between fingers. Let cool to room temperature, stirring frequently.
In a clean bowl beat chilled heavy cream (2cups) until soft peaks are formed. Gradually beating on high speed pour in dissolved and cooled gelatin. Then beat in powdered sugar (2/3cup) and Vanilla Extract (1tsp).
Fit the piping bag with a large star tip. Fill it with stabilized whipped cream and decorate the cake.
Refrigerate cake for 4 hours before serving.
Small Batch Marshmallow Fondant
Measure 2 cups powdered sugar into a medium size bowl. Sift sugar if it appears too lumpy.Grease a small glass, microwave safe bowl with 1/4 tbsp of crisco. Coat a wooden spoon with little bit of crisco. Set aside.Measure mini marshmallows (4oz, 115 grams) into the greased bowl. Pour 1/2 tbsp water into the bowl. Microwave on high for 30 second. At this point marshmallows should be melted. Stir with wooden spoon. Stir in vanilla extract (1/4tsp).Pour mixture into a bowl with powdered sugar. Stir with wooden spoon until most of the melted marshmallows are coated with sugar and mixture is starting to resemble dough. Coat your hands with remaining crisco and knead fondant until smooth and stretchable. Coat it with little bit of crisco. Wrap in a food wrap and refrigerate 30 minutes. It firms up when rested.When rolling out fondant dust work surface with corn starch.Color with gel food colors.
Notes
Do you have other Pumpkin Cake Recipes I could use ?