Baking and Dreaming

So yes, apparently I am back to talk more about recipes. I didn't plan it that way but after all the requests I received for this recipe on Instagram, I felt like it needed to be done. I promise this isn't turning into a food blog. I will be back next time with something completely unfood related.

I have a confession. I was hesitant to share this recipe. I kind of wanted to keep it a secret for awhile. For some time now I've had a dream to write a book. I think about it more and more. I have the format all laid out in my mind. I have notes. I dream about it. And while dreaming is wonderful, I need to make time in my life to do something about it. So. This recipe would be perfect for my book and I'm happy to share here today. All you have to do is pledge to buy a copy of my one day dream book and you can have the recipe now. We're on the honor system!

Chocolate Chip Harvest Cake with Cinnamon Nutmeg Whipped Cream

For the cake:
15 oz can Pumpkin
1/2 c oil
1/2 c unsweetened applesauce
4 eggs
1 c sugar
1 c dark brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
2 c chocolate chips

For the whipped cream:
1 c heavy cream
3 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350°. Mix together pumpkin, oil, eggs, applesauce, sugars and vanilla until well blended. In separate bowl, mix dry ingredients and then add to wet ingredients until just blended and then fold in chocolate chips. Pour into well greased bundt pan. Bake for 1 hour or until firm. Let completely cool before removing from pan. Serve with Cinnamon Nutmeg Whipped Cream.

Notes: I always use fresh ground nutmeg and just eyeball those measurements. Also, it is helpful to reserve about 1/4 c of your flour to toss with your chocolate chips so they don't all sink to the bottom of your pan. You could use all oil for this recipe but the applesauce lightens it up and you don't miss the extra oil at all. I will probably try it soon with all applesauce just to see.

This cake was incredibly moist and even more so the next day. I couldn't stay out of the cake the next day so I cubed it and froze it and will make a trifle out of the leftover sometime soon.

Happy baking!

Update: I somehow forgot to put the eggs in the recipe when I first posted it. I'm so sorry if you made it and it failed you. I wouldn't blame you for never, ever buying a book that I write! Except that it will be proof read. I wish I could make a cake for each of you that tried to make this without eggs. I'm just mortified. How does one forget four eggs?