Pumpkin Cake with Cider Caramel Sauce

No pics., but it was delicious. First bite was kind of interesting and after the second bite I couldn't stop eating until my piece was gone. Taking leftovers to Mom and Dad's for lunch. Grocery store said there is not going to be enough canned pumpkin. Has anyone else heard this? Why one earth is there not enough canned?

Also want to say thank you to everyone who pulls over for a funeral procession. Almost everyone did yesterday and it was a great sign of respect for a great man.

1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup vegetable oil
15 oz. canned pumpkin or 2 cups fresh
2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Sauce:
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tbls. cornstarch
2/3 cup apple cider
2 tbls. heavy cream
1 tbls. butter
salt to taste (I didn't add salt, but I use salted butter)

Heat oven to 325. Grease 9by13 pan (I used sheet cake pan for funeral)
In a large mixing bowl, combine the first six ingredients for cake. Add the oil, pumpkin, and eggs, and whisk until the batter is evenly blended. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Remove the pan and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack, about 1 1/2 hours(or 30 minutes on a cold porch!). Just before serving, make the cider sauce. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the brown sugar and cornstarch. Add the cider and stir well to dissolve. Cook the mixture over medium-high heat, whisking constantly(or as much as your children will allow you to), until large bubbles form around the perimeter of the pan (or until you get tired of stirring), about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and allow the sauce to continue to simmer until it thickens, about 2 minutes more. Remove the sauce from the heat and whisk in the cream and the butter. Let the sauce cool slightly, then taste and add salt if needed.
To serve the dessert, cut into squares, top with ice cream, and pour on the sauce. Makes 12 squares and a cup of sauce.