Tonight I baked. I don’t bake often because I live with men (hubbs and teenage son). They like: meat, potatoes, salad and cookies. Not cake. Not pastries. Meat. Potatoes. Cookies. Ok throw in corn or the odd green bean, but that’s pretty much it.
I love to bake because it offers me a creative outlet. I put on some Elvis, get my pots & measuring spoons out and “zone” out in my kitchen. It takes me back to times spent with my Mom, my Grandmother, and my Aunt Irene: the three greatest cooks I know. So, tonight, I baked.
Here’s the thing: My office buddies benefit because while my guys would never touch this delicious little scamp of a cake, my co-workers will be right in there tomorrow morning. Sleeves up. Spoons in hand. There may even be fights. Just saying.
This recipe has been in my vault for 20+ years; the paper’s yellow and has 2 grease spots on it. That’s the sign of a good recipe. Ready? Here we go:
Pumpkin Pie Cake
Ingredients/directions:
- 1 box yellow cake mix (set 1 cup of mix aside for topping)
- 1 stick margarine or butter, melted
- 1 egg, beaten
Mix the above 3 ingredients and, with fork, press into a well greased 9 x 13 pan.
Next, mix up the filling:
- 1 15 oz. can pumpkin (not pie filling, pumpkin)
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon OR pumpkin pie spices
Mix the above and spread over the cake crust batter.
Lastly, assemble the coup de gras .. the topping:
Mix:
- 1 cup reserved cake mix
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 stick margarine or butter, melted
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Mix these last 4 ingredients together to form a crumbly gooey topping. Drop glumps of topping onto the top of the pumpkin mixture. The topping won’t be consistent OR pretty but pay it no mind, it will be so good you won’t care… trust me on this!
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 60-65 min or until toothpick comes out clean.
(because of the eggs, refrigerate after.. not that there will be many leftovers)
This little beauty bakes up to be the most carmelly, pumpkinny, autumny plate of goodness this side of a Missisippi mud pie. Hey it’s my blog I can make up words if I want to!
