Semi-Naked Pumpkin Chocolate Cake

Semi-Naked Pumpkin Chocolate Cake -three layers of moist flavorful pumpkin cake with lot of chocolate chunks inside, frosted with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting, topped with chocolate ganache and decorated with golden chocolate leaves.
To print the recipe check the full recipe on my blog:
Ingredients
Makes about 12 servings
Pumpkin Cake Layers
2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp (6g) baking powder
1 1/2 tsp (9g) baking soda
1 tsp (5g) salt
2 tsp (6g) cinnamon
1/2 tsp (2g) nutmeg
1/2 tsp (1g) ginger
1/4 tsp (1g) cloves
4 eggs
1 cup (200g) brown sugar
1/2 cup (100g) sugar
1 1/4 cups (275g) vegetable/canola oil
12 oz (350g) pumpkin puree
2 tsp (10g) vanilla extract
7 oz (200g) semisweet chocolate, chips/chunks
Chocolate Leaves
2.5 oz (70g) semisweet chocolate, for melting
1 oz (30g) semisweet chocolate, for tempering
Non toxic leaves like mint, rose, lemon or camellia leaves, washed and dried
Cream Cheese Frosting
17 oz (500g) cream cheese, room temperature
1 1/4 cup (300g) whipping cream, 35%fat, chilled
1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
1 tsp (3g) cinnamon
Chocolate Ganache
3.5 oz (100g) semisweet chocolate
1/2 cup (120g) whipping cream
For decorating
golden powder
cinnamon sticks
1. Prepare the pumpkin cake layers. Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Grease and line with parchment paper three 7 inch (18 cm) round cake pans.
2.In a medium bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves. Set aside.
3.In a large bowl add eggs with both sugar and mix for few minutes until creamy and lighter in color. Add oil and mix until well combined. Mix in pumpkin puree and vanilla extract. Gradually mix in flour mixture. Using a spatula incorporate chocolate. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
4. Bake for about 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Let pans cool on a cooling rack for 10 minutes.
6. Remove the cakes from the pan and let them cool completely.
7. Prepare chocolate leaves. Melt the 2.5 oz (70g) semisweet chocolate over bain marie. Remove from heat and add 1 oz (30g) of chocolate for tempering. Let it cool slightly.
8. Brush the chocolate on the backside of the leaves and place on parchment paper lined baking sheet.
9. Refrigerate the leaves for about 10 minutes, remove and peel the leaves. Keep the chocolate leaves refrigerated until ready to use.
10. Prepare cream cheese frosting. In a bowl beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and cinnamon and mix just until combined.
11. In another bowl whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Gradually fold into the cream cheese mixture until well combined.
12. Assemble the cake: Place one cake layer on your serving plate. Spread evenly with a bit less than half of frosting. Add the second layer of cake. Spread evenly with a bit less than half of frosting. Add the last layer of cake. Gradually spread the remaining frosting on top and sides of the cake. Remove some of the frosting using an offset spatula or scraper to create the semi-naked look. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. The cake needs to be chilled before adding the chocolate ganache drippings.
13. Prepare the chocolate ganache. Heat the cream in a small saucepan. When the cream just begins to boil at the edges, remove from heat and pour over the chopped chocolate. Let sit one minute, then stir until smooth. Allow to cool a bit before making drips on your cake.
14. When ganache is cooled enough, use a spoon and start making drips around the edges. If the ganache hardened too much heat it a bit over bain-marie to get to a pouring consistency. When you finish all the drips on the edges fill the top with ganache and spread it evenly using the offset spatula. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before decorating.
15. Decorate with chocolate leaves and cinnamon sticks. Slightly brush golden powder on the leaves if desired.
16. The leftover frosted cake can be covered and refrigerated for up to a week. Serve at room temperature.
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