Spiced Pumpkin Chiffon Cake with Cinnamon Whipped Cream
Light and airy pumpkin chiffon cake infused with warm autumn spices, complemented by a fluffy cinnamon whipped cream topping. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 85 minutes layers cake flour, baking powder, salt into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 290 calories and feeds 10, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups cake flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 5 large egg yolks
- 1 cup, divided granulated sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 7 large egg whites
- 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp (for whipped cream) ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp (for whipped cream) powdered sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. In a medium bowl, sift together 1 1/2 cups cake flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp ground ginger.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk 5 large egg yolks with 1/2 cup granulated sugar until pale and thick. Stir in 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 3: Gradually fold dry ingredients into pumpkin mixture until just combined.
- Step 4: In a separate clean bowl, beat 7 large egg whites with 1/4 tsp cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar and continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks form.
- Step 5: Gently fold one-third of the egg whites into the pumpkin batter to lighten it, then fold in the remaining egg whites carefully to preserve airiness.
- Step 6: Pour batter into an ungreased 10-inch tube pan and smooth the top.
- Step 7: Bake for 55-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 8: Invert the pan onto a bottle or funnel to cool completely before removing the cake.
- Step 9: For the whipped cream, beat 1 cup heavy cream with 2 tbsp powdered sugar and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon until soft peaks form. Serve a generous dollop atop each slice of pumpkin chiffon cake.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Pumpkin Chiffon Cake with Cinnamon Whipped Cream take to make?
Total time is about 85 minutes (25 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Spiced Pumpkin Chiffon Cake with Cinnamon Whipped Cream?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Pumpkin Chiffon Cake with Cinnamon Whipped Cream?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Spiced Pumpkin Chiffon Cake with Cinnamon Whipped Cream for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Spiced Pumpkin Chiffon Cake with Cinnamon Whipped Cream?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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