Spiced Pumpkin Layer Cake with Butterscotch Pecan Filling

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups

all-purpose flour

2 1/2 tsp

baking soda

1 1/4 tsp

ground cinnamon

1 1/4 tsp

ground nutmeg

3/4

tsp. ground cloves

1 1/4 tsp

salt

1 3/4 cups

plus 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree

1 1/4 cups

buttermilk

2 1/2 sticks

(10 oz.) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 1/4 cups

tightly packed light brown sugar

1 1/4 cups

granulated sugar

large eggs

1 1/2 tsp

vanilla extract

1 cup

heavy cream

1 cup

granulated sugar

Small squeeze of fresh lemon juice

1 1/4 sticks

(5 oz.) unsalted butter, cut into 5 chunks

1 cup

chopped toasted pecans

large egg whites

1 2/3 cups

brown sugar

salt

3 sticks

unsalted butter, at room temperature