Fried Pumpkin Layer Cake with Cream Cheese and Orange Frosting

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen, 2007

Show: Paula's PartyEpisode: Deep Fried Thanksgiving

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (25)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(25)

Cook Time:
30 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
8 to 10 servings

Times:

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep: 5 min
Cook: 30 min
Total:: 45 min

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Ingredients

Pumpkin Cake:

1 (17 to 18-ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 cup pumpkin puree (fresh or canned)
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Cream Cheese and Orange Frosting:

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
1 stick butter, room temperature
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons orange juice
1 orange, zested
3 drops yellow food coloring
1 drop red food coloring

Fry Batter:

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

For frying:

Oil, for frying
1 recipe Pumpkin Cake
1 recipe Cream Cheese and Orange Frosting
1 recipe Frying Batter

For the Pumpkin Cake:

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 (9-inch) round cake pans.

In a large mixing bowl combine and beat with a hand held electric mixer all the ingredients until the batter is smooth. Divide the batter between the 2 prepared cake pans. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in their pans for 5 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.

For the Cream Cheese and Orange Frosting:

Cream the cream cheese and butter together with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in the confectioners' sugar until smooth and then beat in the orange juice, zest and food coloring.

For the Fry Batter:

Whisk together all the ingredients in a large shallow bowl.

For frying:

Heat the oil in a very large Dutch oven, must be at least 11-inches wide.

Dip 1 of the cake layers in the batter and gently place it in the hot oil. Fry until golden brown and crisp, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel lined platter to drain. Repeat with the 2nd cake layer. Let the fried cakes cool slightly and then frost the top of 1 layer. Place the 2nd layer on top of it and frost. Don't frost the sides, it will be pretty to see the layers of frosting and crispy fried cake.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Fried Pumpkin Layer Cake with Cream Cheese and Orange Frosting
Melissa Falls Church, VA 11-03-2009
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Delicious!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I've made this cake 3 or 4 times now and every time it gets great reviews. I do make a few changes. Most importantly, I do... NOT deep fry the cake. The cake is delicious as is and doesn't need to be deep fried. For the frosting, I don't like citrus in (most) desserts, so I left out the orange zest. I DID use the OJ in the frosting, though I suppose you could also use milk. Finally, I don't use food coloring in the frosting because I like the look of the cake with white frosting. Every time, the cake comes out moist and flavorful and is the perfect match for the cream cheese frosting. Thanks!Read more
recipe Fried Pumpkin Layer Cake with Cream Cheese and Orange Frosting
jeannie east meadow, NY 10-24-2009
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yummy
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

my husband says eat right stay fit die anyway . alittle cake never killed anybody Paula you rock girl friend i never made... anything bad from your reciepes love them all Read more
recipe Fried Pumpkin Layer Cake with Cream Cheese and Orange Frosting
Maxine Delray Beach, FL 10-22-2009
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mmm Pumpkin Delicious
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

My family just went crazy over this pumpkin cake..
recipe Fried Pumpkin Layer Cake with Cream Cheese and Orange Frosting
Amy FPO, AP 10-13-2009
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PERFECT Alteration of This Recipe for Parties
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I was ecstatic to find this recipe. I lack the talent to make beautiful petit fours, but I keep on trying to make pretty... little bite-sized cakes, anyway. This recipe was perfect. Instead of frying an entire layer, cut the cake into bite-sized cubes. Using wooden skewers, dip the pieces into batter, fry, and then set to cool, arranged on a serving platter. Before serving, remove the skewers and cover the hole by piping a large, pretty dollop of the frosting on top. Voila! Bites of decadent cake, and everyone will think you're a pastry prodigy. I was shocked to find negative reviews on Paula's recipes due to health. Ever hear of treat foods? Special occasions? Surprises? 'Cause I have. No one in this family has high-cholesterol or diet-related medical problems. We eat a sweet treat every weekend. Food and the enjoyment of decadent eating is part of the verve and zest in life. Don't miss out on that. It isn't an all or nothing proposition. Moderation is not a four-letter word. That said, Paula Deen is the glorious country-fried goddess of comfort food. Honey, if you're looking for low-cholesterol, low-fat, healthy food for every day...this ain't the place. Read more
recipe Fried Pumpkin Layer Cake with Cream Cheese and Orange Frosting
Sandy Franklin, GA 08-26-2009
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My Heart! My Heart!
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

I really can't believe that anyone could be crying about the fat in this. If you are so health conscious why are you even... eating sugar, one of the worst things that you can put in your body. Good fats are needed by the body. Sugar is NOT needed by the body and is very harmful. Sorry but it just floors me to see anyone give a review based on health consciousness especially a CAKE for goodness sakes. Cakes are meant to be special. How many of you bake a cake everyday? Even once a month? Having said all that, the cake was awesome, tricky to make but worth it. And I won't have it again for at least 6 months or more.... because it is cake and cake is not good for you so eat responsibly and stop. PS The low fat diet is killing this nation and making us fatter than ever. It is a fib and good marketing. Read Good Fat, Bad Fat. Read more
recipe Fried Pumpkin Layer Cake with Cream Cheese and Orange Frosting
Jen Albuquerque, NM 07-26-2009
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Lighten up!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

For being so concerned about health, some of you sure are heavy! Lighten Up!!! There is no need to shake your finger @ Paula!... Every cook on Food Network has a niche. Paulas' is indulgent southern home cookin'! If you are concerned about the calories, the fat, etc., then when you come across a recipe in which "Fried" is the first word, keep moving! I don't believe this cake is meant to be eaten in place of 3 squares a day, nor is it meant to be eaten entirely by one person. That being said, it is perfectly fine to indulge in a slice or two of this cake on occasion. The reviews/comments for these recipes are a valuable tool for those of us interested in making them. I read them to see how they worked for others, & for any tips they found useful in making them. NOT to be told the obvious, like it's not healthy, or reminded of the rise in diabetes & heart disease! Stress is just as deadly & if you are this rattled over a recipe I'm guessing you've got some pretty serious risk factors yourself! Thanks Paula! We can always count on you for fun, wonderful food! So many of your recipes have become our family favorites! You've given me wonderful memories & food that I know my daughter will be making and passing on for generations to come! That's so special to me! You're one in a million!Read more