Name: Cranberry-Apple-Pumpkin Bundt
Total time: 270 min
Ingredients: 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans; 1 1/2 cups peeled and diced Granny Smith apples; 2 tablespoons butter, melted; 1/2 cup finely chopped sweetened dried cranberries; 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar; 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 cups granulated sugar; 1 cup butter, softened; 4 large eggs; 1 (15-oz.) can pumpkin; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1 cup pecan halves and pieces; 1/2 cup roasted, salted shelled pepitas (pumpkin seeds); 2 tablespoons butter, melted; 2 tablespoons sugar; 1/2 cup pure maple syrup; 2 tablespoons butter; 1 tablespoon milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup powdered sugar

Cranberry-Apple-Pumpkin Bundt — Photo:
PHOTO: IAIN BAGWELL; STYLING: HEATHER CHADDUCK

Hands On Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

4 hrs 30 mins

Yield:

12 servings

Consider this pretty cake the perfect centerpiece for your holiday party. This gorgeous Bundt cake blends our favorite autumnal flavors of cranberry, apple, and pumpkin together, with a crunchy pecan and maple glaze drizzled on top.

Ingredients

Cake Batter

3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
1 1/2 cups peeled and diced Granny Smith apples
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup finely chopped sweetened dried cranberries
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup butter, softened
4 large eggs
1 (15-oz.) can pumpkin
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Sugared Pecans and Pepitas

1 cup pecan halves and pieces
1/2 cup roasted, salted shelled pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons sugar

Maple Glaze

1/2 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup powdered sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 6 to 8 minutes or until toasted, stirring halfway through. Cool 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.
Toss diced apples in 2 Tbsp. melted butter to coat in a medium bowl; add cranberries, next 2 ingredients, and toasted pecans, and toss until well blended.
Beat granulated sugar and 1 cup butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Add pumpkin and vanilla; beat just until blended.
Stir together 3 cups flour and next 3 ingredients. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended after each addition. Spoon half of batter into a greased and floured 10-inch (12-cup) Bundt pan. Spoon apple mixture over batter, leaving a 1/2-inch border around outer edge. Spoon remaining batter over apple mixture.
Bake at 325°F for 1 hour and 10 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a long wooden pick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes. Remove from pan to wire rack; cool completely (about 2 hours).
Prepare Sugared Pecans and Pepitas: Preheat oven to 350°F. Stir together pecan halves and pieces, pepitas, and melted butter. Spread in a single layer in a 13- x 9-inch pan. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through. Remove from oven; toss with sugar. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack (about 30 minutes).
Prepare Maple Glaze: Bring maple syrup, butter, and milk to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring constantly; boil, stirring constantly, 2 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in vanilla. Gradually whisk in powdered sugar until smooth; stir gently 3 to 5 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken and cool slightly. Use immediately; spoon onto cooled cake. Arrange pecans and pepitas on cake.