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Warm Pumpkin Pudding Cake Recipe with Brown Sugar Sauce

Warm Pumpkin Pudding Cake

A tender pumpkin cake bakes over a buttery brown sugar sauce, creating a cozy self-saucing dessert with a moist top and syrupy bottom. Serve it warm by spooning both layers into each bowl.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake
  • 1 cup (125 g) All-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) Granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 cup (120 g) Pumpkin purée, preferably canned solid-pack pumpkin
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) Milk
  • 2 tablespoons (28 g) Butter, melted
Pudding Sauce
  • 1 cup (200 g) Packed light brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) Hot water
  • 1 tablespoon (14 g) Butter
Optional Additions
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup Chopped walnuts or pecans
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease an 8-inch square baking dish or a similar 1 1/2- to 2-quart baking dish.
  2. Whisk the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Add the nutmeg if using.
  3. Stir in the pumpkin purée, milk, and melted butter just until combined. Add vanilla to the pumpkin mixture if desired, and fold in nuts without overmixing.
  4. Spread the thick batter evenly in the prepared baking dish.
  5. Sprinkle the packed brown sugar evenly over the batter. Carefully pour the hot water over the entire surface, then dot with the tablespoon of butter; do not stir.
  6. Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the top is set and lightly browned while the center remains moist and syrupy sauce has formed underneath.
  7. Let the cake stand for 5–10 minutes. Spoon warm cake into bowls, making sure each serving includes plenty of sauce from the bottom.

Notes

Use hot rather than cold water, and never stir after adding the water. The cake is intentionally soft and pudding-like, not firm like a conventional cake. Refrigerate leftovers and reheat gently before serving.