Pumpkin Pound Cake

This pound cake is simplicity itself, relying on the simple flavors of pumpkin, brown sugar and spices to do the heavy lifting.

18 servings

For perfect glazing consistency, you need the right proportion of sugar and liquid. A few too many drops of liquid and the glaze will be too runny. But it’s an easy thing to fix—just add a little more powdered sugar.

Ingredients

Cake:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup unsalted butter, slightly softened
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/3 cups canned pumpkin
3 eggs
Glaze:
1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
4 1/4 teaspoons water, about
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped toasted walnuts

Instructions

To prepare cake, preheat oven to 325F. Coat a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with baking spray.
Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt onto a piece of wax paper.
Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in pumpkin (will look curdled.) Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Turn to low speed; gradually add flour mixture and beat until smooth and creamy.
Pour into pan, smooth top and bake 1 hour 20 minutes or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in pan on wire rack 15 minutes. Remove from pan and finish cooling on rack.
To prepare glaze, beat powdered sugar and water to make a thick glaze, adding a few drops more water if necessary. Spread over top of cake and sprinkle nuts in strip down center.

—Recipe by Jean Kressy

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