Ruffled Phyllo Pumpkin Cake recipe has crispy, buttery edges and a creamy, custard-filled, chewy center. This dessert is not overly sweet. It's a perfectly flavored, delicious treat and textural dream.
Add the pumpkin, brown sugar, and 2 tbsp of cinnamon together. Mix well to combine.
Melt one stick of butter in the microwave or in a small saucepan. To a sheet of parchment paper, carefully add two sheets of phyllo dough. The phyllo should be together and in line. Brush the phyllo dough generously and entirely with the melted butter.
Add 1-2 tbsp of pumpkin to the phyllo dough about 1-2 inches from the bottom in a line across the phyllo dough. Spread it out as thin as possible, avoiding the edges.
Carefully begin to roll the phyllo up with the pumpkin inside. Roll the entire sheet of phyllo dough up. Brush entirely with butter. Carefully begin to create a spiral with the phyllo dough starting from one end. Brush with butter if you discover any dry areas or areas that attempt to crack. Add to an oiled 8-inch circular pan.
Repeat steps 3-7 creating 8-10 more rolls of pumpkin in phyllo. Use the rolls to build on the first spiral of pumpkin rolled phyllo. The result should be a larger spiral that will fill the pan. Brush any dry or cracking areas with butter.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Bake the phyllo pumpkin at 350F for 12 minutes.
Remove the phyllo pumpkin from the oven after 10 minutes. Pour butter over the top while it is still hot. Bake for another 12 minutes at 350F.While the phyllo pumpkin is baking, make the custard by adding the milk, sugar, vanilla, and eggs to a bowl. Beat until everything is combined and the mixture is a pale yellow in color.
After the phyllo pumpkin has baked for the second time, pour the custard over the top evenly. Shift the pan around if you need to make sure everything is coated. Add cinnamon, brown sugar, and walnuts (optional) to the top.
Bake for 40 minutes at 350F or until golden brown. Some areas may puff more than others, but once you remove it from the oven it will level out as it cools off.
Allow to cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve hot or cool.