I don’t remember the first time I met Dodger, but I’ll always remember his instrumental role in my retirement from turf harvesting.
I’d stepped off the harvester to stretch my back which was suffering for having to support myself and the internal parasite that would become the Big Sister. Bearhands was reversing the harvester up the paddock to start another row when Dodge pulled up. He saw my predicament and forgetting his own plans for the morning, ordered me off the tractor. I didn't realise it at the time, but I didn't get back on for almost two years.
Dodge and his brother Greg are farmers. They grow watermelons, chokos and pumpkin. This season they’re growing Queensland Blue. Queensland Blue were my Poppy’s favourite pumpkins – they’re full of flavour and they hold their form when cooked which makes them perfect for roasting.
There are lots of American recipes around for pumpkin cake, but they call for pumpkin in a can, which I haven't ever seen here. This cake uses fresh grated pumpkin. Top it with cream cheese frosting and watch it disappear.
fresh pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting
Prep 15 mins
Cook 60 mins
Total 1 hour, 15 mins
Author Amanda Smyth | Cooker and a Looker
Yield 1 cake
This pumpkin cake is wonderfully moist and, let’s be frank, cream cheese frosting makes everything twice as delicious!
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups (250g) brown sugar
- ¾ cup (185ml) vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 1½ cups wholemeal plain flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon bicarb of soda
- 2 cups grated pumpkin
- 1 cup grated green apple
- 75g chopped pecan nuts
- for cream cheese frosting
- 250g cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup icing sugar, sifted
- 1½ tbs lemon juice
- zest of half a lemon
Instructions
Preheat oven to 180°C.
Cream the sugar and oil in an electric mixer for about 2–3 minutes. Add the eggs individually and beat well.
Combine the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon and ginger and add to the sugar mixture.
Add the pumpkin, apple and pecans and mix until just combined. Pour into a prepared 22cm-square cake tin and bake for 55–60 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer.
Remove and allow to cool in the tin.
For the cream cheese frosting
Process the cream cheese in a food processor until smooth. Add the icing sugar lemon juice and zest and process until smooth. Spread frosting on the cooled cake.
The Big Sister ate two pieces of this cake, despite her protests that she doesn't like pumpkin. or brown foods.
Over the years Dodge has made a habit of turning up when I need him the most. Last week after I baked the cake, I phoned and asked him if he might have time to call in to collect it. I was preparing roast lamb for dinner when he arrived. I’d just opened the bag and discovered it was spoiled, when Dodge stepped through the door. In his hands was a family sized meat pie. I could have kissed my knight in shining pie tin. In fact I did!
do you have a knight in shining armour?
do you have kids? do they eat brown foods?
FreshHomeCook says
This looks amazing Amanda! Will be making this one very soon!! 🙂
Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
Thanks Jodi. I especially love the colour of it. 🙂
Have a laugh on me says
My hubby adores carrot cake but I'm annoyed at him right now so he won't be getting this - shit shit shit but it's his day on Sunday, grr, might have to ! Sadly no knight in shining armour around here, it's pretty much fend for myself (ignore me I'm having a pity party for one right now) Glad you have one though x
Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
Can you believe Father's Day is Sunday? Have no presents organised and the idea of taking the kids to the shops is certainly not an appealing one! 😛
Diana Rambles says
This looks fantastic. Pinned. Thanks for sharing at my Pin Me party! I am following you via your social media outlets now.
Maria @ www.musicteachingandparenting.com says
This looks really really delicious! Saving the recipe and will be trying it out!
Maria
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
Gosh this looks great!! Will be adding this to my 'to bake' list 🙂
Alicia - One Mother Hen says
I don't get pumpkin in a can! Why the heck wouldn't you use real pumpkin. I love this recipe, YUMMO!
Seana says
Oh yes it's going straight on my list of cakes to bake.
Alison says
Hi
I’d love to try this recipe but all I can see are the instructions and not the recipe with all the measurements ?
Amanda Smyth says
Hi Alison,
I'm not sure why the ingredients fell off the post but it's all fixed now.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Regards,
Amanda