CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN SPICE NUT CAKE

Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Nut Cake image

This delicious cake is worth every step. The addition of nuts to the Oreo crust added extra crunch and I definitely plan on using this crust again. The eggnog ganache is just enough to give the cake a light coating. If you want a lot of ganache, I suggest doubling the recipe. This is so delicious and will be very impressive...

Provided by francine bryson

Categories Cakes

Time 1h30m

Number Of Ingredients 21

Ingredients

CRUNCH CRUST
1 pkg Oreos crushed, 14 oz.
1 can(s) mixed nuts (crushed in food processor), about 15 oz.
1 c brown sugar
2 stick butter, melted
FOR CAKE
1 1/2 c sugar
1 1/2 stick butter, softend
3 c pumpkin (not pie mix)
2 3/4 c self-rising flour
1/2 c lemon Greek yougart
1 Tbsp each ground cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla
4 large eggs
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
6 pkg cream cheese soften, 8 oz each
2 stick butter, soft
2 Tbsp vanilla
3 1/2 c powdered sugar
GANACHE
1/2 c eggnog (pumpkin spiced)
1 1/4 c dark chocolate (chopped)

Steps:

1. For crunch crust, in a food processor pulse cookies to create crumbs. Then pulse nuts to a fine chop. Add in brown sugar and mix well. Add in melted butter and blend together.
2. Divide oreo/nut mixture into 4 9-inch cake coated cake pans, pressing into bottom and spreading it evenly into the cake pans. Set pans aside and begin cake. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
3. In your mixer beat sugar and butter for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy, scrapping down the bowl frequently. Add in pumpkin and all the rest of the ingredients, except the eggs. Mix just until blended.
4. Add in the eggs, one at a time just until blended.
5. Divide batter equally into your 4 prepared cake pans, smooth it out and make it as even as possible in the pan. Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. For frosting, whip the cream cheese and butter until very smooth and creamy.
7. Slowly add in the powdered sugar while mixer is on low setting. Add in vanilla and mix well. Set aside until needed.
8. After your cake is completely cooled ( you can even refrigerate for a few hours) begin frosting the layers and putting the cake together. When you have assembled all the layers with some frosting between them, start to spread the remaining frosting on the sides and top. Put cake in cool place so the outside is very cool.
9. Heat the eggnog just to simmer and add dark chocolate. Remove from heat stir till melted (the more you stir the shiner it is). Pour on cake let set.