Pumpkin Spice Cake with Coffee Cream Cheese Frosting

This delightful cake combines the cozy flavors of pumpkin and warm spices with a rich coffee-infused cream cheese frosting. It's a perfect dessert to enjoy during the fall season or whenever you crave a touch of spice.

Ingredients:

For the Pumpkin Spice Cake:

• 300g self-raising flour
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin spice mix (see notes for homemade mix)
• 300ml vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 300g light brown sugar
• 250g pumpkin puree (canned)

For the Coffee Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
• 0.5 tablespoon boiling water
• 200g unsalted butter, softened
• 400g icing sugar
• 200g full-fat cream cheese, chilled

Instructions:

For the Cake:

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F) for a fan oven, or 180°C (356°F) for a conventional one. Prepare two 7-inch round cake tins by greasing them and lining the bottoms with baking paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the self-raising flour and pumpkin spice mix.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and brown sugar until well blended. Stir in the pumpkin puree.
4. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, whisking until you have a smooth batter.
5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared tins and bake for 45-50 minutes. The cakes are done when they're golden and spring back when pressed.
6. Allow the cakes to cool in the tins for 15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

For the Frosting:

1. Dissolve the instant coffee in boiling water and let it cool in the fridge for about 10 minutes.
2. Beat the butter until soft and pale. Gradually beat in the icing sugar until the mixture is smooth.
3. Carefully fold in the cooled coffee.
4. Add the cold cream cheese and fold gently until the frosting is smooth. Be cautious not to overmix. If the frosting is too soft, refrigerate it for 30 minutes to firm up.

To Assemble:

1. Place one layer of the cake on your serving stand or plate. Spread half of the frosting on top.
2. Set the second cake layer on top of the first and cover with the remaining frosting.
3. Add any final touches or decorations to personalize your cake.

Slice into this Pumpkin Spice Cake with Coffee Cream Cheese Frosting and savor the harmonious blend of autumnal flavors. It's a festive treat that's bound to become a seasonal favorite!