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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Layered Pumpkin Cake

    Published: October 5, 2019 · Updated: December 5, 2020 · By: Krissy · 7 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

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    layered pumpkin cake recipe

    Layered Pumpkin Cake with hazelnut buttercream and chocolate ganache makes the best fall dessert.

    Thefrosted layered pumpkin cake being sliced

    This pumpkin layered cake is a little more complicated than some of your favorite fall recipes, but it is easier than it seems and you will impress all your friends.

    This recipe can also be used to make delicious muffins. (When it really comes down to it, there isn't much difference between a pumpkin muffin and a eggnog cupcake, don'tcha think?).

    How to make this recipe:

    Don't let all the steps to the recipe fool you. This cake really is super easy to make.

    1. This layered pumpkin cake is very forgiving (photo 1). The secret is to use bread flour in the recipe because it holds the moisture from the pumpkin.
    2. The final cooked cake was so easy to work with. I used a large serrated edge knife to cut each layer in half creating four thin layers. (photo 2)
    3. Next step is to add the chocolate ganache and the hazelnut frosting in between the cake layers (photo 3).
    4. I decided to put a thin layer of frosting on the outside to give it a nice crumb coat. Then I used the remaining frosting to frost the entire outside of the cake.
    5. I made cute little marzipan pumpkins (photo 5) and then sliced it up! (photo 6)
    step by step directions on how to make layered pumpkin cake

    What makes this cake unique:

    • The ganache spreads beautifully when its just the right temperature. You want it to be smooth enough to spread but not so hot that it sinks into or off of the cake. The buttercream is incredibly light and fluffy and smooths out perfectly over each ganache and cake layer.
    • The buttercream may seem intimidating, but as long as you have a thermometer to get the melted sugar to the right temperature, its actually tons of fun to watch it to come together.
    • This buttercream, especially with the hazelnut butter added for texture and taste, are an incredible addition to this cake.
    • Aren't those little marzipan pumpkins the cutest! They only took me a few minutes to make and made the final cake so pretty!
    • Chocolate ganache only takes a few minutes to make. The smiles you will get from the people who enjoy this cake will make it all worth it.
     frosted layered pumpkin cake covered with marzipan pumpkins

    Love pumpkin recipes?

    You'll definitely want to try these favorites:

    • Perfect Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake
    • Pumpkin Monkey Bread
    • Pumpkin Fruit Dip
    • Pumpkin Beer Chili
    • Pumpkin Banana Bread with Walnut Streusel Topping
    • Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
    • Perfect Pumpkin Swirl Brownies
    sliced layered pumpkin cake showing chocolate ganache and buttercream frosting
    The best delicious fall dessert is this moist homemade Layered Pumpkin Cake with hazelnut buttercream, drunken chocolate ganache, and marzipan pumpkins!

    Layered Pumpkin Cake

    The best delicious fall dessert is this moist homemade Layered Pumpkin Cake with hazelnut buttercream, drunken chocolate ganache, and marzipan pumpkins!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour
    Scale: 16 servings
    Recipe Created By: Krissy Allori

    Ingredients

    cake:

    • 4 eggs
    • 15 ounce pumpkin puree
    • 1 cup vegetable oil
    • 2 cups bread flour
    • 1 ⅔ cup sugar
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon ginger
    • ½ teaspoon cloves (ground)
    • 1 pinch nutmeg

    hazelnut buttercream:

    • 4 cups buttercream frosting (see link in notes)
    • ½ cup hazelnut butter

    drunken ganache:

    • ½ cup heavy cream
    • 8 oz. Dark chocolate (chopped or chips)
    • 2 tablespoons corn syrup
    • pinch salt
    • 3 Tablespoons rum (we prefer Myer's Dark)
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

    marzipan pumpkins:

    • 5 ounces marzipan
    • 2-4 drops yellow food coloring
    • 2-4 drops red food coloring
    • 7 whole cloves

    Instructions

    To make the cake batter:

    • Combine all dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking soda & powder, salt, and spices) in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment on speed 1.
    • Add all remaining ingredients and mix until combines, scraping the bowl to ensure a homogeneous mixture.
    • Divide the batter evenly between two 9 inch pans lined with pan spray and parchment. Bake 28-35 minutes at 350F. The cakes are done when a toothpick comes out cleanly when poked in the center of the cake. Allow time to fully cool on a cooling rack.

    To make the frosting:

    • Follow directions for my Perfect Buttercream frosting. Once done, fold in hazelnut butter.

    To make the ganache:

    • Cald the cream in a small saucepan or microwave. Pour over combined chocolate and corn syrup, stir with a whisk until smooth and homogeneous. Stir in rum and cinnamon, allow the mixture to set in a shallow pan or plate at room temperature before using (at least 30 minutes). If the mixture sets to a point where it's no longer spreadable, simply microwave it and stir it for very small intervals (5 seconds at time in the microwave).

    Assemble the cake:

    • Cut each round into two thin layers, if desired. Divide the rum ganache in three portions and spread evenly to the tops of three of the four layers of cake. Plop about ¾ cup of the hazelnut frosting on top of each spread ganache layer, and spread evenly as well. Stack all four layers of the cake, the one that has no ganache or hazelnut frosting will be the top layer. Spread the remaining hazelnut frosting over the top and sides of the cake. If desired, you can do a very thin layer of frosting, then refrigerate, then add remaining frosting to avoid crumbs in your top layer. !To make the marzipan pumpkins:
    • Add the food coloring to the marzipan and mix well with hands like it was play dough until all of the color is even. Divide the dough into 9 equal sized portions. Use hands to roll each portion into a ball and then use butter knife to indent grooves down the side to make it look like a pumpkin. Insert a whole clove into the top for the stem. Top cake with marzipan pumpkins.

    NUTRITION INFORMATION

    Calories: 626kcal | Carbohydrates: 88g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 383mg | Potassium: 338mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 67g | Vitamin A: 4311IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 3mg
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    This post was originally published in October 2016 and was updated in October 2019 for your reading pleasure.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Michelle

      September 18, 2019 at 12:21 am

      5 stars
      I bet that cake flies off the shelf! It's the perfect Fall cake, I love all the layers and that frosting sounds delicious. Pinning this to make for my Haloween party. Thank you so much for sharing this.

      Reply
    2. Megan Ellam

      September 17, 2019 at 9:20 pm

      5 stars
      So tasty and perfect. Thanks for another great recipe Krissy. I cant wait to get into the kitchen and start baking this weekend.

      Reply
    3. Veena Azmanov

      September 17, 2019 at 9:10 pm

      5 stars
      Pumpkin sounds so interesting and healthy too. Love the cuteness of the Mazipan Pumpkins on the cake decor.

      Reply
    4. Natalie

      September 17, 2019 at 9:09 pm

      5 stars
      Such a beautiful cake! I love layer cakes, and with pumpkin? Perfect for the season ♥

      Reply
    5. Josi

      September 17, 2019 at 8:29 pm

      5 stars
      This pumpkin cake looks scrumptious! I love the layers and the flavor combos!

      Reply
    6. Loretta Evans

      July 17, 2017 at 6:24 pm

      5 stars
      yummy

      Reply
    7. Loretta Evans

      July 17, 2017 at 6:22 pm

      5 stars
      Wow this Look yummy

      Reply

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