Pumpkin Caramel Bourbon Poke Cake

Ingredients

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 0.75 cups white sugar
• 0.5 cups canola oil
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 cups caramel sauce
• 1 tablespoon bourbon , divided
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 0.5 cups chopped toasted pecans

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line an 8-inch square cake pan with parchment paper.

2. 2

   Beat pumpkin puree, sugar, oil, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract together in a bowl.

3. 3

   Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. Add to the pumpkin mixture; stir until just combined. Pour into prepared pan; smooth top with a spatula.

4. 4

   Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.

5. 5

   Combine caramel sauce and 1 1/2 teaspoons bourbon in a saucepan over low heat; warm through, about 2 minutes. Poke holes evenly over the surface of the cake using a chopstick. Reserve 1 teaspoon of the caramel-bourbon mixture; pour remaining mixture over the cake. Place on cooling rack.

6. 6

   Beat cream and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons bourbon in a bowl using an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Spoon whipped cream on cake; scatter pecans and drizzle reserved caramel sauce on top.