Pumpkin Sandwich Cake

A cream cheese layer and rich chocolate frosting make this moist pumpkin cake a crowd-pleaser. This cake keeps well, so it's a good one to have on hand for drop-in guests.

Prep: 30 minutes
Bake: 16 minutes

Ingredients
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
3 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 of an 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 Recipe Chocolate Cream Icing, below
Pumpkin pie spice

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease bottoms and sides of two 8x1-1/2-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms with waxed paper; lightly flour pans. In bowl combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

2. In a second bowl beat eggs and sugar with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until thick, about 5 minutes. Beat in pumpkin. Add flour mixture; beat just until combined. Spread cake batter in prepared pans. Bake 16 to 18 minutes or until wooden pick inserted near centers come out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 10 minutes; remove and cool thoroughly.

3. For filling, in a chilled mixing bowl beat whipping cream to soft peaks; set aside. In a second mixing bowl beat cream cheese until smooth; beat in powdered sugar. Fold in whipped cream. To assemble, place one cake layer on serving platter. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over bottom cake layer. Top with second cake layer. Refrigerate while preparing Chocolate Cream Icing.

4. If Chocolate Cream icing is too thin, cover and chill 30 minutes until of spreading consistency. Too thick, add a teaspoon of milk or cream. Spread over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle lightly with pumpkin pie spice. Chill cake at least 1 hour before serving.

5. Store cake, loosely covered, in refrigerator. Makes 8 servings.

6. Chocolate Cream Icing: In small saucepan bring 1/2 cup whipping cream just to boiling over medium-high heat. Remove from heat. Pour over 1 cup bittersweet or semisweet chocolate pieces in medium bowl (do not stir). Let stand 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. Cool 15 minutes. Makes 1-1/4 cups.

Nutrition Facts
Calories 466, Total Fat (g)26, Saturated Fat (g)16, Monounsaturated Fat (g)8, Polyunsaturated Fat (g)1, Cholesterol (mg)137, Sodium (mg)184, Carbohydrate (g)56, Total Sugar (g)41, Fiber (g)3, Protein (g)7, Vitamin C (DV%)2, Calcium (DV%)7, Iron (DV%)16, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet