Butternut Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Why does pumpkin get all the attention at Thanksgiving when butternut squash is just as versatile and nutritious? Sabrina’s fluffy, toothsome cake confection proves that squash has a sweeter side, and you can serve it plain or frosted with her super-simple cream cheese frosting, recipe included. Squash for dessert may sound weird, but it’s a great way to sneak some nutrients into your family, and if you have leftover squash (as so many of us do), this tempting Butternut Cake is a great use for it.

INGREDIENTS
1 3/4 cup unbleached flour
3/4 cup maple syrup (we like Grade B Dark it is less refined and has more mapley goodness)
2 tablespoons Greek-style yogurt
2/3 cup grapeseed oil (or any mild oil will do)
3 eggs
1 cup cooked mashed butternut squash or canned unsweetened pumpkin puree
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons spices (we use a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom)

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Place oil and maple syrup in a bowl and beat well for a minute or 2.

2. Add the eggs gradually and beat well. Then add the yogurt and beat a bit more.

3. Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and spices over the mixing bowl, then add butternut puree. Beat all ingredients until just mixed.

4. Line a greased round cake tin with baking paper. Pour the mixture into the tin, then bake about 40-45 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer.

5. Serve warm or allow to cool completely and try it with this amazing cream cheese frosting:

Cream Cheese Frosting

Place 8 ounces light cream cheese, 1/4 cup maple syrup, and 1 teaspoon molasses in a food processor and process until smooth.

Cake serves 8 to 10.

MORE THANKSGIVING IDEAS
• Baked Squash Savory Stuffing
• Curried Pumpkin Soup
• Pumpking Pie with Pecan Crust
• Thanksgiving Decorating with Nature
• Spicy Sweet Potato Patties

A recipe from Sabrina Model-Carlberg, Care2 Designer.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Michele W.

1:54AM PST on Nov 18, 2011

Thank you

send a green star

Carole R.

10:56PM PST on Nov 17, 2011

Thanks for the recipe.

Kirsten B.

10:01PM PST on Nov 14, 2011

This looks lovely too - I'm bookmarking it to try after the chocolate pumpkin bundt cake.
Thank you for sharing!

Jennifer C.

12:36AM PDT on Jul 22, 2011

Fabulous recipe. Thanks.

Robert O.

4:16PM PDT on Apr 2, 2011

Thanks.

Elizabeth P.

5:15PM PST on Dec 27, 2010

Your just a wonderful Lady Annie B, Im sure your daughter is very proud of you. Looking foreward to the new Year with you and your daughter. Now thats a Happy New Year.

Mari '.

6:04AM PDT on Aug 24, 2010

Annie you have the best always to share!

5:12AM PDT on Jun 22, 2010

looks & sounds yummy!! can't wait to try it!

Anne F.

10:50PM PST on Dec 22, 2009

Thanks this looks like a great cake to add to the winter recipe stash.
And I like the lighter cream cheese frosting too.

ayla -.

7:08AM PST on Nov 2, 2009

I would suggest:
3 tsp Cinnamon
2 tsp Ginger
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1/2 tsp Cardamom

This recipe looks great!