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Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Cake

ByLaura Kasavan Updated
Jump to Recipe·★★★★★5 from 1 review

Pumpkin and chocolate make the most delicious match in this pumpkin chocolate swirl cake! Rich chocolate balances the pumpkin spice flavor (my favorite cozy blend of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg) for the perfect fall pairing.

Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Cake

I love using Ghirardelli 60% bittersweet chocolate chips when I want a deeply rich and balanced chocolate flavor, and the chocolate chips melt easily, making them a dream for the chocolate ganache topping!

Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Cake

Rich Chocolate Swirl

Slicing into the spiced pumpkin loaf cake reveals a surprise chocolate swirl. Making the swirl is a breeze – simply add melted bittersweet chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate chips to 1 cup of pumpkin batter, folding in to combine. The mix of Ghirardelli 60% bittersweet and semi-sweet chocolate makes for the most delicious chocolate swirl!

Spoon half of the remaining pumpkin batter into a standard loaf pan, smoothing with an offset spatula. Tap the pan sharply to settle the batter, then add spoonfuls of chocolate batter, smoothing with an offset spatula. Spoon remaining pumpkin batter into the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. If desired, use a knife or wooden skewer to gently swirl the layers together.

Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Cake

Bake until the cake is golden and the top springs back to the touch. Let the cake cool completely, then drizzle with rich ganache for the most decadent finish! Enjoy this pumpkin chocolate swirl cake!

Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Cake
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Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Cake

Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Cake

★★★★★ 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Laura Kasavan
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 65 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Yield: 1 loaf, 12 slices
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

Pumpkin and chocolate make the most delicious pairing in this pumpkin chocolate swirl cake!

Ingredients

Cake

  • 2 1/2 cups cake flour (see note below)
  • 3/4 tsp baking powder
  • 3/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ginger
  • 1/4 tsp cloves
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 10 Tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 1/4 cups sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 cup pure pumpkin
  • 1/2 cup reduced fat buttermilk, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup Ghirardelli 60% bittersweet chocolate chips, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1/4 cup Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips

Ganache Topping

  • 1/2 cup Ghirardelli 60% bittersweet chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray. Whisk together cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt in a medium bowl.
  2. Beat butter and sugar in a large mixer bowl on medium speed until light and fluffy; beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to low and add eggs one at a time. Combine pumpkin and buttermilk in a small bowl. Beat in flour mixture in three additions, alternating with pumpkin mixture (begin and end with flour mixture), just until incorporated.
  3. Transfer 1 cup of pumpkin batter to a separate bowl and fold in melted bittersweet chocolate until fully incorporated; fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips.
  4. Spoon half of the remaining pumpkin batter into prepared pan and smooth with an offset spatula. Tap pan sharply to reduce air bubbles. Spoon chocolate batter over the pumpkin layer, smoothing with an offset spatula. Spoon remaining pumpkin batter over the chocolate layer, smoothing with an offset spatula. Tap pan sharply again.
  5. Bake for 65 to 70 minutes, until the top is golden, the edges are pulling away from the side of the pan, and a tester inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes; carefully remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.
  6. For the ganache topping, place bittersweet chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips in a medium bowl. Pour heavy cream into a small saucepan and bring just to a boil over medium-high heat. Pour warm heavy cream over chocolate and let stand for 2 minutes before stirring until smooth.
  7. Let ganache stand for 10 minutes to thicken slightly, then drizzle over the top of the cooled cake. Let set before serving. If desired, serve slices with extra ganache.

Notes

To make your own cake flour: place 2 tablespoons cornstarch in an empty 1-cup measure, then top up with flour. Sift the mixture several times to evenly distribute the cornstarch.

Keywords: Pumpkin, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Loaf Cake, Cake

Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Cake

This recipe is created in partnership with Ghirardelli. All opinions expressed are my own.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy.

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2 Comments

  1. Delicious cake! Perfect blend of spices and the chocolate is a great compliment.

    ★★★★★

    Reply