Warm Spiced Apple Squash Cake

American home bakers have long tucked autumn squash into tender snack cakes, and this loaf keeps that cozy habit. Grated apple and warm spices mingle with squash puree for a moist, fragrant slice.

Serves 8 · 20 min prep · 60 min cook

Estimate for one serving

• 295 cal
• 4g protein
• 46g carbs
• 11g fat
• 3g fiber

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Ingredients

• 1 cup butternut or kabocha squash puree
• 1 1/2 cups apples, grated (about 2 medium)
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup neutral oil
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• optional powdered sugar or cream cheese glaze for finishing

Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan and line with a parchment sling for easy removal.
2. 2In a medium bowl whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and salt until evenly combined.
3. 3In a large bowl whisk the squash puree, grated apple (with its juices), both sugars, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth and uniform.
4. 4Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and fold gently with a spatula just until no flour streaks remain; the batter will be thick and speckled with apple.
5. 5Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
6. 6Bake on the center rack for 55 to 65 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, and the top is deeply golden and springy.
7. 7If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil after 40 minutes.
8. 8Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then lift out using the parchment and cool completely or serve still slightly warm.
9. 9Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle a simple cream cheese glaze over the cooled cake.
10. 10Slice thickly; the cake stays moist for days thanks to the squash and apple.
11. 11Warm individual slices briefly in the microwave for that fresh-from-the-oven feel.
12. 12This spiced loaf is the kind of bakery-style snack cake currently filling home-cook feed shares.