Make Ahead

Pumpkin Loaf Cake

December  1, 2020
5
1 Ratings
Photo by Laura Edgerton
  • Prep time 30 minutes
  • Cook time 55 minutes
  • Serves 8 to 10
Author Notes

This tender little one-bowl cake is perfect for breakfasts or snacks, and will permeate the kitchen with the comforting aroma of warm spices. Lightly sweetened, spiced whipped cream is stabilized by a bit of sour cream, which adds some tang and ensures that this topping holds up well in the fridge for several days. I like to bake this cake the night before and leave it next to a love note for early risers. —Laura Edgerton

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Cake:
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
  • Cinnamon Whipped Cream:
  • 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream (full fat is best)
Directions
  1. Cake:
  2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a standard loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and dust with flour, tapping out any excess. Place the loaf pan on a large rimmed sheet pan and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin puree and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder, soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves and ginger; use a spatula to gently incorporate all of the ingredients together until just combined.
  4. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and use the back of a small spoon to spread the batter out evenly. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, rotating halfway through the baking time, until a center toothpick comes out clean. The top of the cake should be deep golden brown and slightly domed.
  5. Cool the cake in the pan at least 20 minutes, then carefully run a butter knife around the edges and invert onto a wire rack to finish cooling completely. The cake will keep, in an airtight container at room temperature, for up to 1 week. Serve slices topped with the cinnamon whipped cream.
  1. Cinnamon Whipped Cream:
  2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, using the whisk attachment, beat the cold cream on medium-high speed for a couple of minutes until foamy and slightly thickened. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon and sour cream. Continue beating on medium-high speed, stopping to scrape down the bowl once or twice, for several more minutes just until soft, loose peaks form. Dollop onto slices of cake. The whipped cream will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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1 Review

Melissa H. November 14, 2023
This loaf cake is super moist and delicious. I make it every year for family, friends and co-workers. They absolutely love this pumpkin loaf. This recipe is my go to every year. I make it even when it's not the holidays. Try it, you will not be disappointed!!!