Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F / 175°C. Line a 9 x 13 inch (23 x 30 cm) cake pan with parchment paper.

Step 2

Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice and salt into a bowl.

Step 3

In another bowl, add eggs, oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract and lemon zest. Mix till creamy.

Step 4

At a lower speed, add flour mixture followed by the grated apples and the grated pumpkin. Mix till incorporated. Add the pecans and mix briefly till incorporated.

Step 5

Pour the batter into a lined cake pan, spread evenly and bake in the oven for 40 to 50 minutes till golden, or until a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Leave the cake to cool for 15 minutes on a wire rack, then turn the cake out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6

Make the frosting while the cake is cooling.

Step 7

Add cream cheese, butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract and lemon zest to a bowl and mix till creamy.

Step 8

Next, add the confectioners' sugar in increments to the frosting and mix till creamy and fully incorporated.

Step 9

Once cooled frost the cake with brown sugar and cream cheese frosting. Use a knife to lightly draw squares on the frosting. Place a pecan on each square.