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Pumpkin Cake Recipe

Updated: Jul 7


This pumpkin cake has an unexpected backstory. At first, I wasn’t entirely happy with how it turned out—the candied ginger sank to the bottom, and the flavors felt a bit underwhelming straight out of the oven.


Freshly baked pumpkin loaf in a rectangular metal pan with a crackled golden top.
 Just baked and smelling like autumn

Just outta the oven...


After baking, I wrapped it up and put it in the fridge, thinking I’d come back to it later. Days went by, and I actually forgot about the cake until my daughters discovered it and decided to give it a try. To my surprise, they told me it tasted incredible, even suggesting that I try a slice with a bit of salted butter.


Thick slice of moist pumpkin cake served on a white plate, showing its rich crumb.
Thick, cozy slices that beg for a hot cup of tea or coffee.

Curious, I took a bite, and they were absolutely right—the flavors had deepened over time, becoming even more satisfying and rich. The warmth of the pumpkin spice, the dark sweetness from the treacle and muscovado sugar, and that hint of ginger all came together beautifully after a couple of days in the fridge.


A close-up of a spoon lifting a bite of tender pumpkin cake with a dark, spiced interior.
That first bite—warm, soft, and spiced just right.

Underwhelming...


The salted butter added a wonderful contrast, bringing out the spices and the pumpkin in ways I hadn’t expected. It was a reminder that sometimes, good things take time!


If you’re looking for a cozy, spiced treat, I encourage you to give this recipe a try—with a little patience. Letting the cake rest in the fridge for a day or two allows the flavors to fully develop, making it worth the wait.


Slice of pumpkin cake topped with melted butter, placed on a ceramic plate

After chilled for a couple of days and spread with salted butter...


Slice it, spread on a touch of salted butter, and you’ll have a pumpkin cake that’s rich, comforting, and surprisingly addictive.


 Cross-section of the pumpkin loaf revealing its fluffy and moist interior.

Ingredients:

((Make one 4.5 inch X 8.5 inch loaf))

  • Treacle, 50g

  • Golden Syrup, 140g

  • Dark Muscovado Sugar, 140g

  • Whole Milk, 100g

  • Pumpkin Puree Homemade, 250g

  • Eggs, 2

  • Unbleached All Purpose Flour, 225

  • Baking Powder, 1.5 TSP

  • Baking Soda, 1 TSP

  • Sea Salt, 1 TSP

  • Pumpkin Spice Blend Homemade, 1 TBSP

  • Ginger Grated, 1 TBSP

  • Unsalted Butter Softened, 100g + More For Greasing

  • Candied Ginger Coarsely Diced, 10

  • Good Quality Salted Butter, For Spreading

Equipment:

  • Oven

  • Sauce Pot

  • 4.5" X 8.5" Loaf Pan

Directions:

  1. Please visit my "Pumpkin Spice Blend" page for the recipe.

  2. Please visit my "How To Make Pumpkin Puree" page for the recipe.

  3. Preheat oven to 180 degree celsius or 355 fahrenheit.

  4. Grease the loaf pan with some butter and line with parchment paper.

  5. In a sauce pot over medium heat, add treacle, golden syrup, sugar and milk.

  6. Stir to combine well and until the sugar has completely dissolved.

  7. Remove from heat and stir in pumpkin puree.

  8. Continue mixing until well combined.

  9. Add in eggs and whisk to combine well.

  10. Set it aside until ready to use.

  11. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, soda, powder, salt, pumpkin spice blend and the grated ginger.

  12. Crumble in the butter with your hands.

  13. It should resemble a wet sand consistency.

  14. Whisk in the treacle mixture, 1/3 portion at a time until fully incorporated.

  15. There shouldn't be any lumps.

  16. Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan.

  17. Sprinkle the candied ginger in a straight line at the center of the batter.

  18. *This is the mistake that I'd made. The ginger sinks to the bottom during the baking process. You can mix the candied ginger with the batter before pouring into the loaf pan.*

  19. Wack into the oven and bake for 45 mins or until browned.

  20. When you test the cake with a skewer, it should come out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it.

  21. Set aside to cool down completely.

  22. As my daughter suggested, wrap the cake with cling film and chill in the fridge for a couple of days.

  23. Slice and spread with some salted butter.

  24. Enjoy.


Fork cutting into a buttered slice of pumpkin cake, highlighting its softness.

The flavors intensify...


Nearly finished slice of pumpkin cake with melted butter, sitting beside a fork.

1 slice is not enuff tho...

Recipe Video:




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