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1
Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat the oven to 350F
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2
Butter and flour a 10-inch tube pan or 12-cup bundt pan, preferably nonstick.
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3
Tap out any excess flour.
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4
Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, and cloves; set aside.
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5
Separate the eggs, putting the yolks in a small bowl and the whites in a large mixing bowl.
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6
Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, cream the butter on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute.
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7
With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the vanilla and the brown sugar, about 1/2 cup at a time.
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8
When all the brown sugar has been added, stop the mixer, scrape down the sides, and cream the mixture on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
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9
Use a fork to lightly beat the egg yolks; then, with the mixer on low speed, add them slowly to the butter-sugar mixture.
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10
Scrape down the sides of the bowl, increase the speed to medium, and beat for 1 minute.
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11
On low speed, add the pumpkin puree, oil, and fresh ginger.
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12
Beat until smooth.
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13
Using a rubber spatula, stir in one-third of the flour mixture, and continue stirring just until the flour disappears (don't beat or overmix).
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14
Repeat, adding the remaining flour mixture in two more passes.
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15
Scrape down the sides of the bowl and set it aside.
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16
Add a pinch of salt to the egg whites and beat with an electric mixer just until they hold soft peaks.
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17
Gently but thoroughly fold them into the batter with a rubber spatula.
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18
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a rubber spatula.
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19
Bake until the cake springs back when touched with a fingertip and a pick inserted into the center of the cake comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs clinging to it, 45 to 50 minutes.
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20
Set the pan on a rack to cool for 10 minutes.
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21
Carefully run a paring knife around the inside edge of the pan.
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22
Invert the cake onto the cooling rack and gently remove the pan.
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23
Let cool completely.
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24
(If you're making the cake ahead, wrap it now).
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25
Just before serving, use a fine sieve to sift the confectioners' sugar over the cake.
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26
Cut into 3/4-inch slices and serve with a scoop of ice cream, if you like.