Categories: Cake, Dessert, Pumpkin

Ingredients

• 3 cups sifted unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 5 large eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup lightly packed brown sugar
• 1 (16 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin (do not use pumpkin pie mix)
• 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped medium (reserve 2 tablespoons for topping)
• 1 cup plumped raisins (mixed dark and light)
• 2 tablespoons minced crystallized ginger
• 1/2 cup quartered red glaceed cherry (optional)

Directions

1. Position oven rack in the lower third of the oven; preheat oven to 350°; butter a 10-inch angel food cake pan.

2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices, using a triple sifter; set aside.

3. Put the eggs in a large bowl of an electric mixer; using the whisk attachment, beat on med-high speed for 2 minutes.

4. Add the white sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, taking 3-4 minutes to blend it in well.

5. Then add the brown sugar over an additional 3-4 minutes, beating until the mixture is light in color and thickened.

6. Add the pumpkin and beat for 1 minute; slowly pour in the oil in a steady stream, and beat 1 minute longer.

7. Decrease mixer speed to med-low; blend in the dry ingredients all at once, mixing just until incorporated.

8. Remove the bowl from the mixer; using a rubber spatula, fold in all but 2 tablespoons of the nuts, then the raisins, ginger, and optional cherries.

9. Pour the batter into the prepared pan; sprinkle the top with the remaining nuts.

10. Bake for 65-70 minutes, until toothpick inserted into the center comes out dry.

11. Remove from oven; set pan of cake rack to cool completely.

12. To remove cake, run a thin, sharp knife around the sides and center tube; lift up center tube and run a thin, sharp knife under the cake; invert cake onto the rack; turn top side up and cool completely.

13. Store at room temperature under a glass dome, in an airtight container, or in plastic wrap or foil for up to 5 days; for longer storage, refrigerate up to 10 days.

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