Pumpkin Potpourri Week ~ Would you like chocolate with that? Or pumpkin?

Welcome to the last day of Pumpkin Potpourri Week! Glad to have you back! In case you missed anything, you might want to click on the links for a recap:

Day 1: Giveaways and Pumpkin Blueberry Muffin recipe
Day 2: Pumpkin tea and Pumpkin Bread Recipe
Day 3: Pumpkin craft ideas, Pumpkin Pudding Recipe, and other people's pumpkin links
Day 4: Pumpkin poem and Pumpkin Dessert Recipe

Pumpkin Fact for the Day
*** Pumpkin is rich in Vitamin A and Potassium and is high in Fiber. ***

On my blog, I have chocolate posts every Friday which you are able to link up to with your own chocolate posts. I just had to combine the pumpkin and the chocolate...HAD TO! But I didn't have a recipe with pumpkin and chocolate combined. Sure, I could have added chocolate chunks to my pumpkin bread or mini chocolate chips to my pumpkin pudding or drizzled chocolate over the top of my pumpkin dessert - but I thought that would be cheating. So, I did something that I have NEVER done...I attempted to create one myself! Crazy, I know!

I started with a box cake mix and a can of frosting to make it easy on myself and easier for you when you make it ('cause you know you want to try it and see how you can tweak it). I added pumpkin and spices and I'm happy with the result - a warm, mellow flavor added to the chocolate - though you should know that it's my first attempt. Maybe you could do it even better! I was going to make it a 2-layer cake, but the layers seemed a little heavy with the pumpkin, so I left it a single layer with frosting on the top (that way you have 2 - LOL!). Afterward, I thought of a fun way to serve it - make the cake in pie pans and frost the top. I also think this would make fabulous cupcakes.

Chocolate Pumpkin Cake with Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Frosting
1 box chocolate cake mix (I used butter recipe chocolate and used 2 T. less butter than called for)
I (15 oz) can pumpkin puree, with 1-1/2 tablespoons removed and set aside for frosting
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon cloves

I can whipped cream cheese frosting
1-1/2 tablespoons pumpkin
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Follow directions on box for chocolate cake, then stir in 1 can pumpkin (except for 1-1/2 tablespoons) and following 5 spices. Pour into greased pans and bake according to box directions. Remove from oven and cool completely.

In medium bowl, mix whipped cream cheese frosting, pumpkin and 2 remaining spices. Frost cake(s) as desired.

You could certainly do this from scratch using your favorite chocolate cake recipe and cream cheese frosting recipe and just make the pumpkin and spice additions. If you like chocolate and like pumpkin, I think you'll like this. If you try it, please let me know what you think!

Now it's your turn to share! Today, you can link up any family-friendly chocolate-themed post with Mr. Linky (See last Friday for chocolate ideas). And you can link up your pumpkin-themed posts! If you're really brave, combine the two! If you don't have a blog, you can leave your recipes or ideas in the comments.

It's not too late to get entered in the giveaways! Go back and make a comment on each day's post if you haven't already to get all your entries for the Commenters' giveaway. Link up recipes or ideas on Wednesday's post or today's post to be entered in the Linkers' giveaway. And if you have promoted Pumpkin Potpourri Week, be sure to let me know about it so you can be entered in the Promoters' giveaway! You have plenty of time to come back and do it all - the giveaways are open until Sunday night, 9/28.

Thank you all for making Pumpkin Potpourri Week so much fun and such a big hit!

Have a fun and blessed Fall weekend!