PUMPKIN LAYER CAKE WITH SPICED FROSTING

Pumpkin Layer Cake with Spiced Frosting image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Time 1h30m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pans
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for pans
1 tablespoon pumpkin-pie spice, plus more for sprinkling (optional)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 can (15 ounces) pure pumpkin puree
Creamy Spiced Frosting

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans. Line bottom of pans with a round of parchment paper; butter paper. Dust pan with flour, tapping out excess. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, pumpkin-pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; beat in pumpkin puree. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture; mix just until combined.
Divide batter between prepared pans. Smooth tops, and tap pans on work surface several times to eliminate large air bubbles. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cakes comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool 15 minutes in pans; run a knife around edge of pans, and invert cakes onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Set a rimmed baking sheet upside down on work surface. Place one cake on top, and spread with 1/3 of frosting. Place second cake on top, and spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Using two wide metal spatulas, carefully transfer frosted cake to serving platter. Sprinkle with more pumpkin-pie spice, if desired.