This is a traditional Venezuelan pumpkin cake, great as a gluten free dessert option for Thanksgiving dinner, and a twist to the classic pumpkin pie. It’s topped with an aromatic piloncillo glaze with cinnamon, clove, and allspice, and let me tell you: the wonderful smell of his glaze takes me back to my childhood when my grandmother used to make it to pour over pancakes, instead of maple syrup or honey.

On the other hand, the addition of cheese to the preparation gives this cake a salty touch and an exotic taste that will surprise everyone in the best possible way.

The texture of this cake is very creamy and soft if you eat it at room temperature, and a little firmer if you eat it cold from the fridge. You can choose how you like it best!

Ingredients

For the glaze

• 1/2 cup of water
• 250 gr of piloncillo (or brown sugar)
• 5 whole cloves
• 1 stick of cinnamon
• 10 whole allspice grains

For the pumpkin cake

• 500 grams of pumpkin (uncooked)
• 3 eggs
• 100 grams grated cheese (queso blanco or mild cheddar)
• 1/4 cup of milk
• ¾ cup of sugar
• 3 tablespoons of cornstarch

Preparation

For the piloncillo glaze

1. Heat the sugar or piloncillo with the water and spices in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. From the moment it starts boiling, wait 5 minutes or until you see the glaze thicken. If you have a thermometer, the temperature should reach about 112-114°C.
3. Sift through a colander and set aside

For the pumpkin cake

1. Cook the pumpkin in boiling water until soft.
2. Drain the cooked pumpkin and set aside to cool down. You can do this step a day ahead and keep it in the fridge.
3. Place all the ingredients in a blender until you obtain a smoothie-like texture.
4. Butter up a 10 inch cake mold or 4 individual molds or ramekins and cover with cornmeal or granulated sugar
5. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes at 350°F.

To make a memorable impression during thanksgiving dinner, you can serve this delicious pumpkin cake on your favorite china or cake stand, pour melted chocolate over the cake and/or a little whipped cream swirl.