Pumpkin Toffee Coffee Cake

My windows are open.  They sky is overcast and grey and the teeny tiny leaves on our tree are starting to change colors and rain down on our grass (Finally!).  I have even been able to dress my kids in slightly fall clothes (because by the afternoon, they will be back in shorts and a t-shirt).  And my Tuesday morning latte didn't make me break into a sweat.  I am one happy girl!

This is the kind of weather that makes me want to bake everything that I see, especially if it has apples or pumpkins (have you seen my Instagram feed?) and simultaneously sit and sip something yummy while reading a good book or binge watching my favorite show.  It really is a struggle!  Please tell me I'm not the only one.

I also have been feeling in a slump of cooking.  Did you notice that last month's dinner inspiration had only three?  It has been bad.  So, I reserved some cookbooks from the library and I am slowly making a list of things to make next month.  One of the cookbooks I checked out was this one, called Bake it like you mean it, and it's pretty much awesome!  A lot of the cakes are crazy tricky and my kids are begging me to make them (umm. . . probably not going to happen!).  But, one recipe timed it perfect for fall and all the ingredients were in my pantry.  It was like it was meant to be!  So, I baked it and realized I forgot the toffee in the middle, and wasn't going to go back and fix it.  It was still so very amazing.  I think the 'coffee cake' part of the title is just a way to justify eating pumpkin toffee cake with your morning cup of joe.  It was also so pretty to look at. 

Bunt cakes are super fun, too.  They make it look so fancy, with very minimal work.  And then just glazing frosting one and maybe some sprinkles (or toffee) and you have a decadent dessert with very little effort.  I highly recommend Pam non stick spray with flour when you are using a bunt pan.  It has never failed me!  If you don't have it, wipe the inside of the pan down with some softened butter, covering every inch, especially the grooves.  Then sprinkle some flour inside and shake it around, patting the outside.  Dump the excess flour and pour in your batter.  If you are making a chocolate bunt cake, use cocoa powder instead of flour.  That's my helpful hint.  Don't fear the bunt pan.  The bunt pan is your friend!

Now, that I've tormented you with pictures and deliciousness, here's the recipe for you to make.  Now bake away and invite a new friend over for coffee.  

Pumpkin Toffee Coffee Cake
from Bake it Like You Mean It

Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup maple syrup
3 eggs, room temperature
2 cups pumpkin puree
1 tsp. vanilla bean paste
2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ginger
toffee pieces

1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp whole milk

toffee pieces

Directions:
Spray bunt can with flour non stick spray.  Set aside.  Preheat oven to 350.

In your favorite mixer, cream together brown sugar and butter until light and fluffy.  Add the honey and maple syrup.  Continue creaming until well incorporated.   Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well between each addition.  Add the pumpkin pure and vanilla bean paste and mix until all the ingredients are well incorporated.  Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix only until they are well incorporated.

Pour half the batter into the pan and sprinkle a layer of crumbled toffee over the top.  Pour remaining bter and bake for 1 hour.  Cool in pan and invert onto serving platter.

Whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk.  Start with 1 tbsp and slowly add more if needed.  Drizle over the top and then sprinkled some more toffee over the top.

notes: 
*I got in a hurry and forgot the toffee in the middle.  It was still very good!
* I buy my toffee pieces in the baking section at the grocery store (or Target).
* I ran out of honey while I was pouring, so I topped it off with Karo Light Corn Syrup.  It worked great!  

Enjoy!