Barbie from Madison, WI (2018 Week 10: Wisconsin Week)

Baker

Barbie

Location

Madison, WI

Baking Challenge

Wisconsin Chiffon Cake

Give your dessert a clever name — and tell us about your recipe.

Up Nort' Pumpkin Chiffon Cake

What was the biggest surprise during your baking journey? Did you use any unconventional approaches? What did you learn along the way? Tell us about it!

I made a pumpkin chiffon cake with a cream cheese buttercream frosting. This was my first time making a chiffon cake and my first time piping leaves. Wowsa! What a moist and light cake! I used pumpkin puree and omitted the oil, which is somewhat unconventional for a chiffon cake. This was probably the moistest cake I've ever made from scratch. While this cake tasted great with cream cheese frosting, it would also be really good with a light glaze, or even just powdered sugar.

How did you add a Wisconsin twist to your flavors or decoration?

I love Wisconsin in the fall, and the beautiful colors of the birch, maples, and oaks. In this cake I pay homage to the birch and poplar trees in northern Wisconsin. Coupled with the pumpkin, it is autumn inside and out. All of my dairy ingredients are Wisconsin products too.

How did you do?

I participated in all 10 Great Wisconsin Baking challenges this summer — I’m a Star Baker!