Pumpkin sticky toffee pudding

12 puddings YIELD:
55 min TOTAL
TIME: 35 min
LEVEL: Prep: -- Inactive Prep: Cook: 20 min
INGREDIENTS
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled

CRANBERRY CARAMEL SAUCE:
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons dried cranberries
3 tablespoons heavy cream

VANILLA CREAM:
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups chilled whipping cream
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar

DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F with a rack in the middle.
Butter a 12-cup muffin pan, if not nonstick.
Meanwhile, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, salt, baking soda, allspice and cloves in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the butter with the pumpkin, brown sugar, buttermilk, vanilla and eggs.
Add to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Divide the batter into the muffin pan.
Bake until a wooden pick comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
Cool slightly on a rack. Slice the muffins horizontally into three pieces.

Place a tablespoon of the Cranberry Caramel Sauce between each layer, finishing with a large spoon of the Vanilla Cream and a sprinkle of dried cranberries.

In a medium saucepan, cook the sugar over medium-low heat, stirring slowly with a fork (to help the sugar melt evenly), until melted and pale golden.
Cook the caramel without stirring, gently swirling the pan until deep golden, about 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and carefully add the cream and butter (the mixture will vigorously steam and the caramel will harden).
Return to the heat and simmer, stirring, until the caramel is dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the dried cranberries.
Beat the whipping cream, sugar and vanilla extract in a large bowl until firm peaks forms.