Pumpkin spice

I’ve admitted before that I love to experiment and try new products. My latest find was Jell-O’s pumpkin spice instant pudding.

As soon as I saw that box in a seasonal baking aisle display, the wheels started turning.

I immediately planned to make a pumpkin cake, using a basic cake mix/ pudding mix recipe. Instead of the vanilla pudding I usually put in, I’d add the pumpkin spice pudding mix. And it must be topped with a cream cheese frosting.

So I bought the pudding mix and made the very simple cake. (I loved the way the pudding mix smelled when I opened the envelope; just like autumn and Thanksgiving dessert!). I decide to add a chopped apple and a cup of nuts to the batter as well. Both additions turned out to be a very good idea!

I have a wonderful recipe for cream cheese frosting, and I thought I might make it. But I decided since I went the easy route with this cake, using cake and pudding mixes instead of making it from scratch with flour and pumpkin and spices, I’d just use a tub of frosting.But I did dress it up a little bit. I sprinkled cinnamon into the frosting, without even removing it from the tub, and used a knife to mix it up. The color was very pretty, and the cinnamon added an extra bonus flavor to the frosting.

The cake was a hit at my home and with the extended family I shared it with. I liked the surprise of the soft apples in the cake and the soft crunch of the pecans.

This very easy cake was delicious and would be easy to share if made as cupcakes.


Easy Pumpkin Pudding Cake

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 package (3.4 oz.) Jell-O pumpkin spice instant pudding mix
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 apple, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup pecans, chopped

Frosting:

• 1 tub cream cheese frosting
• Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine all cake ingredients and mix for 2 minutes with an electric mixer.

Pour into 13X9-inch baking dish that has been prepared with baking spray and cook for 26-30 minutes. (Can use other pan size options; refer to back of cake box for cooking instructions.) Sprinkle some cinnamon into frosting and stir to combine. Once cake has cooled, spread frosting.