PUMPKIN BIRTHDAY CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F. In 1-quart heavy saucepan, stir together butter, whipping cream and brown sugar. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, just until butter is melted. Pour into two ungreased 9- or 8-inch round cake pans; sprinkle evenly with 3/4 cup pecans.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, pumpkin, water, oil, eggs and 1 teaspoon of the pumpkin pie spice with electric mixer on low speed until moistened, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Carefully spoon batter over pecan mixture in each pan.
• Bake 41 to 47 minutes or until cake springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Stir remaining 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice into frosting. To assemble cake, place 1 layer, praline side up, on serving plate. Spread with half of the frosting. Top with second layer, praline side up; spread remaining frosting to edge of layer. Drizzle with caramel topping and additional pecans. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with baking spray.
• In a medium bowl, thoroughly combine cake mix, canned pumpkin and water, and stir until smooth. Pour into prepared pan and spread evenly to the edges.
• Bake cake in center of oven 24 to 28 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool completely. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired, before slicing and serving.