Pumpkin cake: who said desserts can't be healthy?

Auyama, Arepas de auyama, Crema de auyama

Do you want to enjoy a delicious dessert without feeling remorse for breaking your diet? The Venezuelan pumpkin cake is the perfect solution! Besides being a healthy and nutritious option, the pumpkin gives the cake a soft and spongy texture that makes it irresistible. In this article, we will show you an easy and delicious recipe so you can prepare a Venezuelan pumpkin torta at home and surprise your friends and family.

Dare to try it and discover why pumpkin torta is one of the most popular desserts in Venezuelan cuisine!

Beneficios de la auyama

If you want to know all the great benefits that auyama has, we invite you to see our articles about Auyama: uses, benefits and recipes.

Ingredients of the homemade pumpkin cake

For the preparation of the pumpkin cake it is necessary to have at least these ingredients which will be detailed in the recipe.

• Pumpkin: To prepare the pumpkin puree, you will need one large or two medium-sized pumpkins, peeled and cut into pieces. Cook the auyama until it is soft, then mash it into a smooth puree.
• wheat flour: Wheat flour is essential for the cake batter.
• sugar: Sugar is necessary to sweeten the cake. You can adjust the amount according to your preference.
• eggs: Eggs are essential to give structure and fluffiness to the cake.
• baking powder: Yeast helps the cake to rise and become fluffy.
• baking soda: Baking soda also helps the cake to be soft and fluffy.
• cinnamon powder: Cinnamon gives a warm and delicious flavor to the cake.
• Pinch of salt: Salt helps to enhance the flavor of the cake.

It gives you a Arepa con Queso?

How to make the pumpkin cake?

1. Prepare the pumpkin puree: Peel and cut the pumpkin into pieces, then cook it in water until it is soft. Drain the water and mash the pumpkin into a smooth puree.
2. Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and prepare a baking pan for the pumpkin cake by greasing and flouring it.
3. Mix the dry ingredients: In a bowl, mix the wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
4. Mix the wet ingredients: In another bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until frothy. Add the pumpkin puree and oil and mix well.
5. Combine the ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing everything until well combined and there are no lumps.
6. Pour the mixture into the mold: Pour the cake mixture into the previously prepared mold, smoothing the surface with a spoon or spatula.
7. Bake the cake: Bake the cake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
8. Cool and serve: Once the cake is ready, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before unmolding. Then let it cool completely on a wire rack before serving.

Here is the recipe from Sazones y Sabores that you can enjoy on their youtube channel.

Presentation of the Pumpkin cake: a few tips

The presentation of the Venezuelan pumpkin cake is important to make it attractive and tempting to the eye. Here are some ideas to present your auyama cake in a creative way:

1. Sprinkle powdered sugar: A simple way to decorate the auyama cake is to sprinkle powdered sugar on top. You can use a sieve to evenly sprinkle the surface of the cake.
2. Use whipped cream: You can decorate the cake with whipped cream, either on the whole surface or in small portions on top of the cake.
3. Add fresh fruits: You can decorate the pumpkin cake with fresh fruits, such as kiwi slices, strawberries, blackberries or blueberries. Place the fruits on the surface of the cake and create an attractive design.
4. Use edible flowers: If you want to add a more sophisticated touch to the presentation of the cake, you can use edible flowers, such as rose petals or violets, to decorate the surface of the cake.
5. Decorate with nuts or seeds: You can decorate the pumpkin cake with chopped nuts or seeds, such as almonds, pecans or sunflower seeds. Sprinkle the nuts or seeds on the surface of the cake to give it a crunchier and more delicious appearance.

Remember that the presentation of the Venezuelan pumpkin cake depends on your creativity and personal taste, so experiment with different ingredients and presentations to give your cake a unique touch!

Tips to make sure the cake is fluffy

1. Prepare the pumpkin well: Be sure to cook the pumpkin well and make sure it is soft before making the puree. If the pumpkin is undercooked, the puree can become lumpy and affect the texture of the cake.
2. Don't overbeat the batter: Once you have mixed the dry and wet ingredients, mix only until combined. Over-beating the batter can cause the cake to be less than fluffy.
3. Use room temperature eggs: If the eggs are cold or straight from the refrigerator, they can affect the texture of the cake. Let the eggs come to room temperature before using them so that the batter is not too dense.
4. Use yeast and baking soda: These ingredients are essential for a fluffy cake. The yeast helps the dough rise and the baking soda helps make the cake smoother.
5. Prepare the oven properly: Be sure to preheat the oven to the proper temperature before baking the cake. It is also important not to open the oven during the baking process to prevent the cake from falling.

Some doubts about the pumpkin pie

How can I know if the pumpkin is well cooked?

To know if the pumpkin is well cooked, you can do the following:

1. Touch it with a fork: If the auyama is well cooked, it should be soft to the touch and easy to pierce with a fork.
2. Check the color: Cooked auyama should have a bright, deep orange color. If the cooked pumpkin has a dull or pale yellow color, it may indicate that it is not fully cooked.
3. Cut it into cubes: If you have doubts about whether the auyama is well cooked, you can cut it into small cubes and taste one. If the cube of pumpkin is soft and melts easily in your mouth, it means it is well cooked.

Remember that the pumpkin must be well cooked before using it to make the puree for the cake, as this will affect the texture and consistency of the batter. If the pumpkin is not well cooked, it may be difficult to mix and may become lumpy, which will affect the final texture of the cake.

How long does it take to cook the pumpkin?

The cooking time of the pumpkin depends on its size and the way it is cooked. Here are some approximate cooking times for pumpkin:

1. Cooked in water: If you are cooking the pumpkin in water, it will usually take between 20 and 30 minutes to cook completely, depending on the size of the pumpkin.
2. Baked: If you are cooking the pumpkin in the oven, it will usually take between 45 minutes and 1 hour to cook completely, depending on the size of the pumpkin.
3. Microwave: If you are cooking the pumpkin in the microwave, it will usually take between 10 and 15 minutes to cook completely, depending on the size of the pumpkin.

What is the cooking time and oven temperature?

Cooking time and oven temperature may vary depending on the type of oven you have and the height at which you place the pumpkin cake. However, a good time and temperature guide for the Venezuelan auyama cake is as follows:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Pour the cake mixture into a greased and floured cake pan.
3. Bake the cake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
4. Once the cake is ready, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before unmolding. Then let it cool completely on a wire rack before serving.

Remember that the baking time may vary depending on the type of oven you have and the height at which you place the cake, so it is important to check the cake regularly to avoid burning or overcooking.

You can continue to see arepas colombianas, arepas venezolanas

Frequently Asked Questions

If you want to know other articles similar to Pumpkin cake: who said desserts can't be healthy? you can visit the category venezolanas.