Chocolate Pumpkin Cake And Cupcakes

I found this recipe in country living magazine about 4 yrs ago. I tried it out when my ex's job had a contest requiring you to decorate, and use a pumpkin. I actually gutted, and carved a pumpkin. Lined the inside, and then layered the cake cubes with the orange cream cheese frosting. We actually won 2nd place! Every time i make this cake, everyone asks for the recipe. Enjoy!!

Steps

Prepare cake pans: heat oven to 350 degrees f.

Lightly butter three 8-inch cake pans and fit each bottom with an 8-inch circle of parchment paper.

Lightly butter the parchment paper.

Set aside.

Make the batter: sift the flour , cocoa , baking powder , baking soda , cinnamon , and nutmeg in a large bowl and set aside.

Combine the buttermilk , pumpkin , and vanilla in a medium bowl and set aside.

Beat the butter and sugar together in a large bowl , with an electric mixer set on medium speed , until fluffy.

Add the eggs , one at a time , beating well after each addition , until the mixture is smooth and light.

Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk mixture , blending well after each addition.

Bake the cake: divide the batter among the pans and bake until a wooden skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean -- about 35 minutes.

Cool the cakes in the pan for 20 minutes.

Remove cakes and cool.

Assemble the cake: trim each of the layers.

Place one layer on a cake .

Ingredients

all-purpose flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, buttermilk, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs