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The Kitchn: Bake a better Bundt cake this fall

By Kelli Foster on

TheKitchn.com

We're calling this Bundt cake our triple threat. With a moist pumpkin base, a sweet brown sugar streusel, and a generous pour of salted caramel sauce, it's the cake you'll want to make this fall no matter the occasion.

The streusel ripple

Bundts aren't exactly the kind of cakes that need a helping hand to win anyone over -- especially when there's pumpkin involved -- but don't let that stop you from going the extra step with this cake. The ripple of cinnamon streusel that runs through the center of the cake takes a cue from our favorite crumb cake for a bit of sweet crunch in every bite.

The caramel sauce

The beautiful ridges of Bundt cakes deserve to be showed off and celebrated -- not covered up. Salted caramel does just that, and pairs so nicely with pumpkin and the warm spices of fall

Pumpkin Bundt with Cinnamon Streusel and Salted Caramel

Serves 10 to 12

For the cinnamon streusel:

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

For the cake:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon fine salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 cups granulated sugar

3 large eggs

 

1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the salted caramel sauce:

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 tablespoon water

1/2 cup heavy cream, at room temperature

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1/2 teaspoon fine salt

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350 F. Generously butter and flour the sides and tube of a 12-cup Bundt pan or coat with cooking spray; set aside.

Make the cinnamon streusel: Mix the sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl; set aside.

Make the cake: Whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.

Place the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. (Alternatively, use a large bowl and hand mixer.) Beat on medium-high speed until fluffy and lightened in color, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating until each is incorporated. Beat in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture and beat lightly, just until flour is no longer visible.

Transfer half of the batter to the prepared Bundt pan and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the cinnamon streusel over the batter in an even layer. Top with the remaining batter.

Bake until the cake springs back to a gentle touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 55 to 60 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan on a wire rack. Flip the cake out onto the rack and cool completely. While the cake cools, prepare the salted caramel sauce.

Make the caramel: Heat the sugar and water over high heat in a medium saucepan, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Cook undisturbed until the sugar turns golden-brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and pour in the cream. Be careful, as the mixture will sputter and bubble up. Whisk until the bubbling subsides.

Add the butter and salt, and whisk until they're fully incorporated. Set the sauce aside and cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. It will thicken as it cools. Transfer the sauce to a jar, seal, and store in refrigerator until ready to serve with the cake.

Recipe notes: The cinnamon streusel and caramel sauce can be made one day in advance, then stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake the cake and serve. The cooled Bundt cake can be covered and stored at room temperature for up to three days, or refrigerated for up to five days. The caramel sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

(Kelli Foster is assistant food editor for TheKitchn.com, a nationally known blog for people who love food and home cooking. Submit any comments or questions to editorial@thekitchn.com.)


 

 

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