RECIPE: SPICED PUMPKIN TRAYBAKE
Fancy a frightfully tasty treat this Halloween? Very similar to a carrot cake but with a smoother texture, this damp spiced sponge is a perfect Autumn bake, topped with a delicate slick of vanilla buttercream. Hmmm, mmmm!
- Prep Time: 30 Minutes
- Cook Times: 50 Minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Servings: 16
Ingredients:
- 225 g self-raising flour
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- pinch of salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 1 inch piece of ginger, peeled & grated
- 400 g pumpkin (or butternut squash), steamed & blitzed to a smooth puree
- 3 eggs
- 250 ml mild flavoured oil
- 275 g light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp honey/maple syrup
For the icing:
- 125 g unsalted butter, softened
- 250 g icing sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp milk
Method:
- Pre-heat the oven to 160 degrees
- Whisk the oil with the sugar, honey and eggs in a food mixer until well blended
- Sift in the flour, bicarb, salt and spices then beat the mixture in the food mixer until it forms a loose batter
- Fold in the butternut squash using a spatula
- Pour the mixture into a lined square baking tin/brownie tin and bake for between 45 minutes-55 minutes depending on your oven
- Let the cake cool completely before icing
- For the icing:
- Place the butter, icing sugar, vanilla and milk in a food mixer and beat well for at least 3 minutes until the icing becomes pale and creamy in colour
- Spread the icing over the cake
- Chill in the fridge until the icing is set
Serving Suggestion:
Once baked, why not try adding a toffee sauce, stem ginger ice cream, pecan crumb or even candied squash.
Recipe Notes
This cake keeps well in the fridge, covered with cling film or in a plastic box for up to one week. It also freezes well.
The Epsom Supper Club
Laura Scott is a private chef and the creator of the fabulous foodie blog www.howtocookgoodfood.co.ukwhere she offers a wealth of invaluable cooking advice, ideas and recipes. She’s also the chef and host of one of the South East’s most successful supper clubs, the Epsom Supper Club, which has been delighting diners drawn to her delicious dishes and innovative cooking since 2011.
WHAT ELSE IS ON THIS HALLOWEEN?
DEAD OR G LIVE / OCTOBER 31 / G LIVE, GUILDFORD
For a fun, and FREE day out for the whole family, have the fright of your life at this Halloween bonanza of boos, ghosts and ghouls. Aimed at monsters of all ages, dress in your scariest costumes and play horrifying games of the highest order all the while enjoying a truly gruesome time at Dead or G Live.
For more information, visit www.glive.co.uk
POTION MAKING TRAIL / UNTIL NOVEMBER 3 / CLAREMONT LANDSCAPE GARDENS, ESHER
Make magical potions to enchant and capture the imagination by taking this potion-making trail at Claremont Landscape Gardens. Can you find the wizard’s hidden ingredients to make your potion work?
For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk
MEXICAN DAY OF THE DEAD / UNTIL NOVEMBER 17 / RHS GARDEN, WISLEY
For an alternative way to spend the season, enjoy a fiesta of colour at RHS Wisley Garden’s Mexican Day of The Dead display found inside the Glasshouse. Inspired by the Mexican festival, discover vibrant plants, as well as the odd skeleton or two.
For more information, visit www.rhs.org.uk
FAMILY GHOST TOUR / UNTIL NOVEMBER 3 / HAM HOUSE AND GARDEN
This half-term, head out on this family ghost tour and take a spooky look at the haunting history that lurks at Ham House and Garden. Uncover unexplained sights and sounds of the paranormal in a spooky evening the whole family can enjoy.
For more information, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk
BRICK OR TREAT / UNTIL NOVEMBER 3 / LEGOLAND WINDSOR
This autumn, the spooktacular Brick or Treat returns to the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort. New for 2019, Lord Vampyre’s Brick or Treat takes place from 17 October to 2 November, complete with SIX nights of dazzling LEGO®-themed firework displays.
For more information, visit www.legoland.co.uk