Dessert for a Small Crowd:: Pumpkin Bundt Cake

Since we will be entertaining for smaller crowds this season, your family. I suggest everyone get dressed up in their costumes and your family can celebrate safely at home. Originally I made this dessert for a photo shoot, about a fall party. It ran in Atlanta Magazine's Home a couple years ago and it was a lovely family fall spread. The whole party may be worth recreating instead of trick or treating this year. Please be creative and stay home, enjoy your family and stay safe.

This layered pumpkin bundt cake is one of my favorite fall recipes. Add it to your menu for this weekend. You won't be disappointed you did!

Layered Pumpkin Bundt CakeServes 12

For the cake, you will need: - 3 cups all-purpose flour- 2 teaspoons baking powder- 1 teaspoon baking soda- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon- 2 teaspoons ground ginger- 1 3/4 teaspoons ground allspice- 1 teaspoon salt- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg- 1 1/2 cups sugar- 1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar- 1 cup canola oil- 4 large eggs- 1 15-ounce can pure pumpkin- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract- 1 tablespoon grated orange peelNote: 2 fluted bundt pans.To prepare the cake:Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Butter two 9-inch-diameter bundt pans; Butter and dust pans with flour. Sift 3 cups flour and next 7 ingredients into medium bowl. In the bowl of a standing mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat both sugars and oil until combined (mixture will look grainy). Add eggs 1 at a time, beating until well blended after each addition. Add pumpkin, vanilla, and orange peel; beat until well blended. Add flour mixture; beat just until incorporatedDivide batter between prepared pans. Smooth tops.Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Cool cakes completely in pans on rack. Run knife around cakes to loosen. Invert cakes onto racks, then turn cakes over on to a platter.For the frosting, you will need:- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature- 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature- 1 tablespoon dark rum- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla paste- 4 1/2 cups powdered sugarTo prepare the frosting: In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl until smooth. Beat in dark rum and vanilla. Add powdered sugar in 3 additions, beating just until frosting is smooth after each addition (do not overbeat or frosting may become too soft to spread).For the chocolate icing, you will need:- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips- ½ cup creamTo prepare the chocolate icing:In a small sauce pan heat chips and cream whisk until smooth.To assemble the cake: Place 1 pumpkin cake layer, rounded side down, on platter. Spread the of cream cheese frosting over top of cake to edges. Top with second pumpkin half. Drizzle with Chocolate icing using a fork in a zig zag splatter pattern.Note - Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome and refrigerate. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.Photo credit: The Raftermen