BROWN BUTTER PUMPKIN LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• MAKE CAKE (cont...) Melt butter in a heavy-duty 1-quart saucepan over medium heat. Cook, swirling pan occasionally until butter turns a nutty golden-brown, ~4 mins. Pour into a small bowl & let stand until cool but not set, ~15 mins. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, salt, & cloves. In a large bowl, whisk 1-1/2 cups of pumpkin purée with granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, & buttermilk until very well blended. With rubber spatula, stir in flour mixture until just combined. Gently whisk in brown butter until completely incorporated. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake cakes until tester inserted in center comes out clean, ~28 mins. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 mins. Turn cakes out onto racks, remove parchment, & cool completely. MAKE TOPPING Melt butter in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add pecans & pepitas & cook until pecans brown slightly & pepitas begin to pop, ~2 mins. Sprinkle in brown sugar & salt & stir until sugar melts & nuts are glazed, ~2 mins. Stir in ginger. Remove from heat & let mixture cool in skillet. MAKE FROSTING Melt butter in 1-quart saucepan over medium heat. Cook, swirling pan occasionally until butter turns a nutty golden-brown, ~4 mins. Pour into a small bowl & let stand until solids settle at bottom of bowl, ~5 mins. Carefully transfer bowl to freezer & chill until just firm, ~18 mins. Using a spoon, carefully scrape butter from bowl, leaving browned solids at bottom; discard solids. Using an electric mixer, beat butter, cream cheese, & brown sugar on medium-high speed until light in color & brown sugar has dissolved, 2 mins. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar & continue beating until fluffy, 1 to 2 mins. ASSEMBLE CAKE Put 1 cake layer on a cake plate. Spread 1/2 cup of frosting on layer. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of nut mixture over frosting & top with second layer. Frost top & sides of cake with remaining frosting. Arrange remaining topping in a ring on cake.