Maple-Pumpkin Stack Cake

"I have no words for this." Dave 

I quartered this recipe and made one giant piece for Dave and I to split last night. I let it under-cook by just a tad so that it was very doughy and passed on the pecans - just how we like it.

For an impressively tall cake that combines two of our favorite fall flavors, we started with four layers of tender, moist cake reminiscent of pumpkin pie, thanks to canned pumpkin puree and a jar of pumpkin pie spice. We sandwiched fluffy whipped cream sweetened with real maple syrup between the layers and topped the whole thing off with crunchy toasted pecans. From Cook's Country, October/November 2012

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 ¼ cups sugar 
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
3 large eggs
15 ounces canned pumpkin, unsweetened
1 ½ cups heavy cream, chilled
¼ cup maple syrup
¼ cup pecans, toasted and chopped

FOR THE CAKE: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 8-inch round cake pans, line with parchment paper, grease parchment, then flour pans.
 
Whisk flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in bowl. Using stand mixer fitted with paddle, beat sugar, butter, and eggs on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low, add pumpkin, and mix until incorporated. Slowly add flour mixture and mix until only few small flour streaks remain, about 30 seconds. Spread one-fourth of batter (about 1 cup) in even layer in each prepared pan. Bake until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 12 to 14 minutes.
 
Let cool on wire rack for 10 minutes. Invert each cake onto large plate, peel off parchment, and reinvert onto lightly greased rack. Cool completely. Reprep pans and repeat with remaining batter.
 
TO ASSEMBLE: Using dry, clean bowl and whisk attachment, whip cream and maple syrup together on medium speed until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes. Place 1 cake layer on cake plate or pedestal, then spread one-fourth of whipped cream (scant cup) evenly over top. Repeat with remaining cake layers and whipped cream. Sprinkle pecans on top and serve.