CINNAMON-NUT SWIRLED PUMPKIN BUNDT CAKE

This Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Pound Cake recipe is a moist, tender pumpkin bundt cake with a cinnamon swirl throughout the middle.

FOR THE CINNAMON NUT SWIRL:
2 oz pecans, (1/2 cup), toasted
2 Tab white sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon

FOR THE PUMPKIN POUND CAKE:

15 oz canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) - nearly 2 cups home-cooked
.5 c buttermilk or Greek yoghurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
2.25 c plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp bicarb
1 Tab ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger 
.5 tsp each of nutmeg and allspice
.75 c unsalted butter, at room temperature
.75 c white sugar
.5 c brown sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature

FOR DECAF FROSTING:

TO MAKE THE PUMPKIN POUND CAKE:
1.  Preheat the oven to 160°C FF. Generously grease a bundt pan and dust it with flour, then tap out the excess flour. Toast the pecans.

2.  Combine ingredients for the cinnamon swirl in a food processor and process them until they’re in fine crumbs. Set aside for now.

3.  Whisk together the pumpkin, buttermilk and vanilla in a small bowl. In a separate bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, bicarb, salt, and spices.

4.  Combine the butter and both sugars in the bowl of a large mixer fitted with a paddle attach- ment. Beat on medium-med-high speed til light and fluffy: about 3-5 mins. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Turn the mixer speed to low and add a third of the flour. When that’s almost mixed in, add half of the pumpkin mixture. Continue to alternate adding wets and drys, ending with the dry ingredients. When just a few streaks of flour remain, turn the mixer off and finish mixing by hand, scraping down the bottom and sides with a rubber spatula.

5.  Spoon about a third of the batter into the bundt pan and smooth it out. Add half of the cinnamon swirl mix, then top with more batter. Add the rest of the cinnamon mix, and finish by spreading the rest of the batter on top. Bake cake about 45 mins, until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool on a rack 15 minutes, then invert out of pan and cool completely before frosting.

🎂 CAKE STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS
If you make the cake ahead of time, don’t glaze it until shortly before you are ready to serve it (within a few hours is best). Without the glaze on top, you can wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

You can also freeze an unglazed cake for up to 2 months in the freezer. When you want to serve it, allow it to come up to room temperature and glaze it before serving.

If the cake is already glazed, store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days, or up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Note that the glaze might weep or liquify over time.

 

 

Maple Almond Banana Muffins with Cinnamon Cardamom Butter

Each muffin is light, moist, and super sweet. The salty cardamon spice butter only adds to their deliciousness. These muffins are sure to be a hit for a work snack or enjoyed as a mid-day treat. !   Makes 16

Ingredients

4 medium overly-ripe bananas, for flavour – mashed (about 1 .25 cups mashed)
.25 c melted coconut oil
.25 c pure maple syrup
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 c superfine almond flour
1 c GF oat flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1.5 tsp baking powder
.5 tsp bicarb
.5 tsp kosher salt
1 c walnuts (optional)

Cinnamon cardamom Butter:
1 stick (8 Tab) salted butter, at room temperature
.25 c maple syrup or honey
.5 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
.25 tsp cardamom
sea salt

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C. Line 16 muffin tins with paper liners.

2. In a bowl, stir together the mashed bananas, coconut oil, maple syrup, eggs & vanilla until combined. Add the almond flour, oat flour, baking powder, bicarb, cinnamon and salt: mix until just combined. Fold in the walnuts.

3. Divide the batter among the prepared muffin tins. Bake for 20-22 minutes, until just set.
4. To make the butter, beat everything together until creamy. Serve generously with warm muffins. Enjoy!