Sticky Toffee Pumpkin Cake
I still feel so weird. It’s been over a year since Mike and I packed up everything (or really, sold most things and packed up the rest) and drove across the country. I knew everything would turn upside down for me and that it’d take quite awhile to settle back the right-way-round — in fact, I budgeted a year in my mind — but it still hasn’t happened.
So much has changed. The weather’s different, the vegetation is different, the people are different, the food is different, the animals are different, the land is different. But I’m different, too, and in a way that has no continuity. It’s like time broke into two parts on our week-long drive. My past self isn’t connected to my current self. I don’t remember being the me I was. (Shout out to my fellow sufferers of identity disturbance.)
If I could pick the moment when it happened, it’d be this one in Las Cruces, New Mexico while my car’s air conditioning was being fixed — again. I finally had a chance to breathe but I felt like I was on another planet. And that feeling’s never really gone away.
Things are good. Really good, even. I’m finally back in the classroom after my year in graduate school, and that’s definitely the right place for me. It’s just surprising to me that I’m rebuilding myself from the ground up. I knew it’d be a shift but I didn’t count on a total loss. Lots of people move across the country, right? And some people move all the time. Does it always feel this way?
One year ago: Apple Streusel Cheesecake Pockets
Two years ago: Pumpkin Spice Latte Snack Cake
Three years ago: Easy Carrot Cake with Whipped Icing
Four years ago: Pumpkin Cheesecake Pillow Popovers
Five years ago: Gooey “German” Pumpkin Skillet Cake
Six years ago: Pumpkin Spice Pull-Apart Bread with Butter Rum Glaze
Seven years ago: Red Velvet and Oreo Kisses
- 3/4 cup butter
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup pureed pumpkin
- 2 1/8 cups all-purpose flour (1/8 cup is 2 tablespoons)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease an 8-inch square baking pan (I also place a greased sheet of parchment in the bottom for extra assurance.)
- Brown the butter and bloom the spices: Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Continue to cook, swirling pan constantly, until butter is light brown and has faint nutty aroma, 2 to 4 minutes. Add spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice) and continue to cook, stirring constantly, 15 seconds. Pour the butter into a large bowl and allow it to cool.
- Once the butter has cooled, whisk in the vegetable oil, sugars, vanilla extract, eggs, and the pumpkin. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk these into your wet ingredients to combine. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth out the top. Bake for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Allow the cake to cool completely.
- In a small saucepan, combine the butter, heavy cream and brown sugar. Bring this to a boil, whisking constantly. Boil gently for about 8 minutes over medium low heat, or until the mixture is thickened. Top the cake with about 1/3 cup of the toffee sauce and spread this around evenly on top. Place the cake under the broiler until the topping is bubbly, about 1 minute (keep a close watch! I rotated mine carefully every few seconds for even bubbling). Serve slices with extra toffee sauce and whipped cream or ice cream.
rose barnett
October 3, 2017 at 5:10 am (7 years ago)Yup.
Julie Ruble
October 3, 2017 at 11:20 am (7 years ago)I miss you <3
Kate
October 3, 2017 at 7:32 am (7 years ago)I am South African – but for the last 20 years have lived in Scotland. I went home (to SA) two weeks ago – we go back fairly often – we have lots of family and friends still in Africa.. I feel what you describe very strongly. I am two people – different in each country. Not sure if it is a good thing – but it is a reality. I find it comforting that you are experiencing the same thing. I hope that you will find your best self in your new home. Thank you for all your words of wisdom – really love your posts. Kate
Julie Ruble
October 3, 2017 at 11:20 am (7 years ago)It’s comforting to me, too! I’m so glad you shared so I don’t feel quite so alone. Thank you <3
Vickie H.
October 3, 2017 at 9:54 am (7 years ago)So sorry you are struggling still…..this, too shall pass….Thanks for sharing this recipe….I will be making it soon in a trial run before the holidays take us over. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the plate you are serving this on in your picture.
Julie Ruble
October 3, 2017 at 11:21 am (7 years ago)Thanks Vickie <3 The plate is Pioneer Woman's line from Walmart -- I love them all!
Coco in the Kitchen
October 13, 2017 at 6:06 pm (7 years ago)I’m going to take a nap, then make your cake!
Mary Huot
October 30, 2017 at 10:38 pm (6 years ago)This is delicious!
Julie Ruble
October 30, 2017 at 10:42 pm (6 years ago)Thanks Mary! So glad you enjoyed it!
Rachel
November 18, 2017 at 4:11 pm (6 years ago)You did it again! I just made this and devoured my second piece. So so so good!
Keep up the great work!
Ruth A
February 5, 2019 at 4:13 pm (5 years ago)Wow! I want to thank you so much about feeling like two different persons. IMy Husband passed last year after 3 1/2 years of illnesses. So besides mourning for him and all the things that happen with being in Probate I again felt completely lost of who I am. I went for a few months to another state to visit with my daughter and family. I again felt a distance to “Me” so confusing. After returning home and settling why I felt out of sorts at home I began wondering “who am I now” ! After reading your comments I realize that is what I have been trying to discover is “Me! My likes, my thoughts, my place in life, wow I am finally discovering Me! Thank you for definition of Why confusion.
Julie Ruble
February 5, 2019 at 4:43 pm (5 years ago)I’m so sorry about your husband, Ruth. YES that’s exactly it — so much change, and it’s almost like your mind pauses for a bit before gradually reconnecting the past self and present self to create a new normal. I think it’s to protect us from trauma, really — our bodies are such amazing things. Sending my best wishes to you as you settle into yourself! Thank you for your kind words!