Pumpkin Spice Cake

Autumn, a welcome season (once you’ve come to terms with summer truly coming to an end that is). I adore the in between seasons , as I like to call them, spring & autumn, these are the times of year that evoke excitement of things to come. Moody skies & early evenings definitely call for that extra layer of clothing, reclaimed from the depths of the wardrobe. Every year I know when the time has come to let go of summer & fully embrace the season when the leaves in my garden turn an array of beautiful apple reds & mustard brown hues. This captivating show only last for a couple of weeks but in four years, I still have yet to tire of it & it continues to make me smile every Autumn.

It is quite possibly the most picturesque time of the year & If you’re not an early bird you’re missing out. I very reluctantly resorted to turning the heating on & donning the dressing gown this week (a very fetching polar bear-esque ensemble). The colder months for me are my favourite time to be in the kitchen, not only is it warm but everyone needs a little comfort food when it’s chilly outside. Is there anything better than cwtching up (or cuddle if you’re not from Wales) on the sofa with a pot of tea & a slice of homemade spiced cake to thaw your extremities?

Parkin, damsons, apples, pumpkins, cobnuts, all foods synonymous with Autumn. I’ll admit that I am all too excited to be raiding the spice rack once again , but one of my absolute favourite things to experiment with as this time of year has to be the bulbous, orange pumpkin. I have a fascination with ingredients that can traverse between both sweet & savoury uses. Many (MANY) pumpkin triumphs & disasters have been created in my kitchen over the years, from pumpkin pie & pumpkin risotto to a cake made with post carving pumpkin guts. By far my favourite experiment, and the one in which I’ve spent the most energy perfecting, is my pumpkin spice cake. It’s an absolute joy to make as it is undeniably simple. Light, moist & perfectly spiced, pumpkin loaf is a seasonal treat that I always come back to year after year.

PUMPKIN SPICE CAKE
(makes one 2lb loaf)