Lighter Pumpkin Cake

By ltrodrigu

Ingredients

• For Spiced Sugar:
• 1 cup (200 grams) sugar
• 5 large egg yolks, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup neutral vegetable oil (such rice bran, corn, or safflower)
• 1 1/4 cups (285 grams) pumpkin purée
• 1 1/4 cups (200 grams) white rice flour or 1 2/3 cup (200 grams) Thai rice flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated or ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 8 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• Necessary Equipment:
• Stand mixer with whisk attachment
• 10-inch (10- to 12-cup) tube pan, with removable bottom, ungreased

Details

Servings 12
Adapted from food52.com

Preparation

Step 1

Set aside 1/4 cup (50 grams) of the sugar for later (to stiffen the egg whites). Add the remaining sugar to a large mixing bowl with the egg yolks, oil, pumpkin, rice flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove. Whisk to blend thoroughly.

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 325° F.

Combine the egg whites and cream of tartar in the bowl of the stand mixer and beat with the whisk on medium-high speed until the mixture is creamy white and holds a soft shape. Slowly sprinkle in the reserved sugar, beating at high speed until the egg whites are stiff but not dry.

Scrape half of the egg whites onto the batter and fold until partially blended. Add the remaining egg whites and fold just until the batter looks blended. Scrape the batter into the pan and spread it evenly.

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the top of the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes dry, with only a few tiny crumbs clinging to it.

Set the pan on a rack to cool.

To unmold, slide a thin knife or skewer around the tube and the sides of the pan to detach them from the cake. Lift the tube and remove the cake from the pan. Slide a thin spatula under the cake all around, pressing against the bottom of the pan to avoid tearing the cake. Sprinkle the top and sides (tilting the cake) with the spicy sugar. Lift the cake off the bottom of the pan using two spatulas (one on either side of the tube) and transfer it to a serving platter. The cake keeps, wrapped airtight, at room temperature for at least 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months; bring to room temperature before serving.

Slice with a serrated knife.