Pumpkin Molasses Cake with Maple Frosting

This is a gluten-free version of a pleasant old-fashioned spice cake, with the exciting addition of a cream cheese maple icing.

In a food processor, mix until smooth:

¼ vegetable oil or melted butter
2 eggs
1/3 cup molasses
1 ¼ cups cooked pumpkin, mashed and drained of excess water

In a bowl, mix:

1 ½ cups brown rice flour
½ cup potato starch (katakuriko)
¼ cup tapioca starch
1 teaspoon xantham gum
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder (see recipe for homemade version)
¾ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ones and mix well.

Add

2/3 cup dry currants

Grease a 9 x 13 inch pan, line the bottom with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the pan and bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the batter comes out clean.

For the frosting:

Mix:

8 ounces cream cheese
2/3 cup dark maple syrup (grade B has more flavor than grade A)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Spread the frosting on the cooled cake.

Make sure all your ingredients are gluten free!

© Gf-Zing! | Alice DeLuca

Homemade Baking Powder

Did you run out of baking powder like we did, on the holiday, when even the convenience stores were closed? You can make your own, and it will last about a month in a bottle on the shelf. Cream of tartar is a bi-product of making wine, for those who like to know the origin of everything they eat.
Mix together:

4 parts cream of tartar
3 parts cornstarch
2 parts baking soda

For a small batch, use a teaspoon as the measure - this will yield 3 tablespoons of baking powder (9 teaspoons), which is less than a quarter cup.

© Gf-Zing! | Alice DeLuca