UPDATE: Tutorial HERE

I have been wanting to make this cake since last year, when I first saw Martha Stewart do her  cake.

However, I had to give it a little twist!

So I started with the recipe.  Since I knew that this cake would be covered in many layers of sweet glaze icing, I opted for a less sweet spice cake.

On its own, I would even venture to say that this cake has a slightly salty flavor mingled in with the cinnamon sweetness.

Good thing I am pouring many layers of sugar over top!

But I have got to mention the texture!  I just had to name it Velvet Spice after my fist bite.  Velvet it quite possibly the most perfect word ever when describing this cake.

Velvet Spice cake modified from AllRecipes.com.

Pumpkin Spice

Velvet Spice Cake

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
So I started with the recipe. Since I knew that this cake would be covered in many layers of sweet glaze icing, I opted for a less sweet spice cake.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 3/4 cup shortening
  • 1 teaspoon all spice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 eggs

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Prepare chosen pans.
  • In a mixer, combine together flour, cornstarch, sugar, baking powder, soda, salt, all spice, and cinnamon. Add shortening and milk and mix on medium for about two minutes.
  • Add in eggs, one at a time, mixing for a few seconds after each egg. Pour batter into prepared pans.
  • Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until done.
  • (My pumpkin pan is about six inches across and 3 inches deep.)

Did you make this recipe?

Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.

I used my sugar cookie frosting recipe for the white glaze and ended up using an entire bag of powder sugar.

I also wanted to add some pumpkin seeds.

Not just any ole pumpkin seeds… but candied pumpkin seeds!

Candied seeds recipe modified from AllRecipes.com.

Pumpkin Spice

Candied Pumpkin Seeds

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
I used my sugar cookie frosting recipe for the white glaze and ended up using an entire bag of powder sugar.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds rinsed and dried
  • 6 tablespoons white sugar divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon all spice
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.
  • On a parchment lined baking sheet, spread pumpkin seeds in a single layer.
  • Toast for 30-45 minutes stirring occasionally. Seeds should appear dry and slightly toasted.
  • In a bowl, combine two tablespoons of sugar, salt, cinnamon, and all spice.
  • In a large skillet, melt butter over medium high heat. Once butter is melted, add pumpkin seeds and remaining four tablespoons of sugar.
  • Stir constantly until sugar dissolves. (anywhere from 1-4 minutes.)
  • Remove from heat.
  • Pour seeds into the bowl with the spiced sugar and stir until coated.
  • Transfer seeds to parchment lined baking sheet and spread in a flat layer.
  • *Note: If you like clumps of seeds, there is no need to spread in flat layer.
  • Make sure seeds are cool before eating.

Did you make this recipe?

Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.

As well as decorating the base of the Velvet Spice Cake, I also carved out a center portion of the cake and added some inside!

This cake is such a play on textures and flavors.  The crunchy candied pumpkin seeds are a unique and delightful compliment to the slightly savory Velvet Spice Cake.  Its one of those, “I didn’t know I wanted to eat this until I ate it now I want to eat it a lot” cakes.

Perfect for any fall celebration!

And just so you know…

Spice Cake!

This cake is also delicious all on it’s own!

Share with your friends!

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Meet Amanda Rettke

Amanda Rettke is the creator of I Am Baker, and the bestselling author of Surprise Inside Cakes: Amazing Cakes for Every Occasion – With a Little Something Extra Inside.Over the course of her 15+ year blogging adventure, she has been featured in and collaborated with the Food Network, New York Times, LA Times, Country Living Magazine, People Magazine, Epicurious, Brides, Romantic Homes, life:beautiful, Publishers Weekly, The Daily Mail, Star Tribune, The Globe and Mail, DailyCandy, YumSugar, The Knot, The Kitchn, and Parade, to name a few.

Reader Comments

  1. I love how festive this cake is. I’m thinking it’s time to move away from pumpkin pie and this might be the perfect recipe to try this year. Thanks for sharing!

  2. Oh my goodness – this looks and sounds seriously delicious! And love the photos too.

    Glad we were at Food Network’s Communal Table together!

    Best regards, Scott
    (Facebook: Jones Is Hungry; Twitter: @JonesIsHungry)

  3. WOW I JUST LOVE THIS WEB SITE. YOU ARE SO AMAZEING I LOVE ALL OF YOUR RECIPES. IM GONNA TRY TO MAKE ME ONE OF THOSE VELVET SPICE CAKES IT LOOKS SO GOOD!!

  4. I can not wait to make this cake! It sounds really good and something that will make people take notice! I love a good spice cake and using the pumpkin seeds–you are fantastic!

  5. This is just a random thought, but I think it’d be really cool if you colored the icing on this cake orange. I think tha it would be visually more appealing. But I love thus idea. Can’t wait for a chance to use it!!

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