A cupcake that’s both deliciously moist and sweet, perfect for Autumn days!
Sweet Squash Cupcakes
Preparation time 15 mins (plus about an hour to make squash purée) Baking time 20 mins Makes 12 large cupcakes For the cupcakes: 125g soft butter/spread 200g soft dark brown sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract/bean paste 250g self raising flour 100ml buttermilk 100g cooked puréed squash Finely grated zest of one orange For the icing: 50g soft butter/spread 150g icing sugar 50g cream cheese ½ tsp vanilla extract/bean paste Finely grated zest of 1 orange Method: 1 To prepare the squash, cut open and scoop out the seeds and stringy bits. Dot with butter and sprinkle with a little brown sugar. Roast until soft, about 45 mins at 200˚C/180˚C fan/gas mark 6. Allow to cool, then scoop out the flesh and mash well. 2 When ready to make the cakes, preheat the oven to 180˚C/160˚C fan/gas mark 4 and lay out your cake cases in a 12 hole muffin tin. 3 Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and the vanilla to the mixture and beat well. 4 Alternate adding some of the flour and buttermilk until it’s well combined. Lastly add the squash and orange zest, then beat until just mixed through. 5 Divide evenly between the cases and bake for about 20 mins until golden and firm to the touch. Leave in the muffin tin for 10 mins then transfer to a cooling rack. 6 To make the icing, beat the butter and icing sugar together until it’s light and fluffy. Add the cream cheese, orange zest and vanilla, then beat until fully combined. Either spread or pipe the icing onto the top of the cakes. The icing will keep for a few days but it is best kept in the fridge. TIP: * To alter the flavour of the cakes and icing add a spice like cinnamon or ginger instead of orange zest. * By roasting the squash, the end purée won’t be too wet which could affect the bake. You could of course boil or steam it, just strain it if there is a lot of excess moisture. We would advise you to do this in advance as it needs to be cool to add to the mixture.Content continues after advertisements
