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Pumpkin-Praline Cake (D, TNT)
Source: Betty Crocker site
Serves: 8 to 10

1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
1 yellow cake mix
1 cup from a 15-ounce can pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1-1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 container (1-pound) cream cheese frosting
Caramel topping, if desired
Additional coarsely chopped pecans, if desired

Pre-heat oven to 325°F.

In 1-quart heavy saucepan, stir together butter, whipping cream and brown sugar. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, just until butter is melted. Pour into two 9" or 8" round cake pans; sprinkle evenly with 3/4 cup pecans.

In large bowl, beat cake mix, pumpkin, milk, oil, eggs, and 1 tsp. of the pumpkin pie spice with electric mixer on low speed until moistened. Beat 2 minutes on medium speed. Carefully spoon batter over pecan mixture in each pan.

Bake 43 to 45 minutes or until cake springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack.

Cool completely, approximately 1 hour.

Stir remaining 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice into frosting.

To assemble cake, place 1 layer, praline side up, on serving plate. Spread with half of the frosting. Top with second layer, praline side up; spread remaining frosting to edge of layer. Drizzle with caramel topping and additional pecans. Store loosely covered in refrigerator. High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Bake 9" pans 43 to 45 minutes, 8" pans 48 to 50 minutes.

Author's Notes:
Cool layer cakes in their pans on wire racks for 5 minutes. This keeps the cake from breaking apart while it's too warm and tender.

Posted by Judith Sobel

Nutritional Info Per Serving: Calories 480 (Calories from Fat 230); Total Fat 25g (Saturated Fat 9g, Trans Fat 3-1/2g); Cholesterol 75mg; Sodium 350mg; Total Carbohydrate 59g (Dietary Fiber 0g, Sugars 46g); Protein 3g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 50%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 8%; Iron 8%
Food Exchanges: 1/2 Starch; 3-1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable; 5 Fat