Everything Pumpkin
Well, Fall is in full swing, and with it comes everything pumpkin. I love pumpkins. Pumpkin pie is my favorite. Or should I say, “used to be” my favorite? When I developed allergies as an adult, I also developed some intolerances. Pumpkin is one of them. So, I am not able to partake in all the pumpkin hype that comes along every Fall. In fact, my family does not eat pumpkins. SAY WHAT? I know it’s a strange thing these days. My daughter and husband actually don’t like pumpkins. No pumpkin spice anything for my family.
One Amazing Pumpkin Dessert
My mother-in-law has this dessert recipe for something she calls Pumpkin Cake. It’s seriously amazing. I absolutely love this stuff. She makes it every Thanksgiving. My husband will not eat it. He never has. My daughter won’t eat it either, since they both have a strong dislike for anything pumpkin. Once I developed an intolerance to pumpkin, I didn’t eat it either. Yes, very sad I know.
A No-Pumpkin Alternative
I decided to try and make an allergy-friendly version of this dessert without the pumpkin. I asked my mother-in-law if I could use her pumpkin cake recipe and modify it a bit. She agreed, and I came up with this recipe that uses sweet potatoes instead of pumpkin. Of course, I also made it completely gluten-free, dairy-free, and allergy-friendly. Now my family can enjoy this delicious fall dessert.
No matter if you are intolerant to pumpkin or not, this Fall dessert recipe is one you are sure to enjoy. And as a bonus, I’ve included the original Pumpkin Cake recipe from my mother-in-law. Why not give both recipes a try?
Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Amazing, Faux Pumpkin Cake
Equipment
- Stand mixer or small hand mixer
- Food processor or high powered blender
- 9 X 13 baking pan
- mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- whisk
- Spatula
- Wire rack for cooling
Ingredients
- 4 large Eggs
- 1 1/2 cups Sugar
- 12 ounces Non-dairy milk + 2 Tablespoons tapioca flour and 1 tablespoon sugar I use oat milk and whisk in the tapioca flour and sugar
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 2 large Sweet potatoes cooked, peeled and cooled
- 1 box Gluten-free yellow cake mix
- 1 cup (2 sticks) Non-dairy butter (melted) I use Earth-Balance brand
- 1 cup chopped pecans OPTIONAL depending on your allergies
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees
- Spray 9X13 baking pan with cooking spray
- Cook the sweet potatoes in the microwave until soft. Cut open and set aside to cool.
- Pour the non-dairy milk into a 2 cup measuring cup and whisk in the tapioca flour and sugar. Set aside.
- Scoop the inside of the sweet potatoes out of the skin and place into a food processor or blender.
- Blend the potatoes for about 30 seconds to a minute. Add a few tablespoons of water or non-dairy milk if needed. Potatoes should be look whipped with no lumps.
- Add eggs, sugar, non-dairy milk, cinnamon, and sweet potatoes to a large mixing bowl.
- Blend mixture until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared 9X13 baking pan.
- Sprinkle the cake mix over the top.
- Melt the butter and drizzle on top of the cake mix.
- OPTIONAL Sprinkle chopped pecans on top.
- Place pan in the oven uncovered.
- Bake for about 50 minutes or until the top and the sides are golden brown.
- Cool for 5-10 minutes on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
My Mother-In-Law’s Original Recipe
Pumpkin Cake
Equipment
- Stand mixer or small hand mixer
- 9 X13 baking pan
- Large mixing bowl
- Mesuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
- Wire rack
Ingredients
- 4 large Eggs
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 can evaporated milk
- 1 can pumkin
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter (melted)
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray the 9 X 13 baking pan with cooking spray.
- Add the eggs, sugar, milk, cinnamon, and pumpkin to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix until batter is smooth.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan.
- Sprinkle the cake mix over the top.
- Melt the butter and drizzle over the cake mix.
- Sprinkle the nuts over the top.
- Place the pan in the oven and bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes
Leave me a comment and let me know if you tried this or both recipes. I’d love to hear your feedback.
Blessings, Laura xo
