Spiced Autumn Loaf

Recipe by:

This loaf has butternut squash as its backbone, the addition of the other autumnal flavours makes it a perfect pick-me-up with a mug of tea.

Spiced Autumn Loaf

SERVES

10

PEOPLE

PREP TIME

30

MINUTES

COOKING TIME

75

MINUTES

CUISINE

COURSE

Baking

Method

  1. Preheat your oven to 180ºC/gas mark 4.

  2. Roast the cubes of butternut squash in the oven until soft.

  3. While it is roasting, grease the edges of a 2lb loaf tin and line the base with parchment.

  4. Allow the squash to cool.

  5. Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

  6. Sieve the flour, baking powder and spices together and set aside.

  7. Mash the squash and mix it with the eggs, milk and vanilla.

  8. Add this to the sugar and butter mixture, stirring to combine.

  9. Stir in the dry ingredients until combined.

  10. Add the chopped dates and walnuts and stir.

  11. Scoop the batter into your prepared tin.

  12. Place in the centre of your oven and bake for about an hour and ten minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

  13. Allow to cool in the tin.

Ingredients

  • 250g of butternut squash, peeled, cut into cubes and seeds removed

  • 125g soft butter

  • 190g light muscovado sugar

  • 225g self-raising flour

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg

  • ½ tsp mixed spice

  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon

  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten

  • 100ml milk

  • 2 tbs vanilla

  • 120g dates, stones removed and chopped

  • 100g walnuts roughly chopped

Method

  1. Preheat your oven to 180ºC/gas mark 4.

  2. Roast the cubes of butternut squash in the oven until soft.

  3. While it is roasting, grease the edges of a 2lb loaf tin and line the base with parchment.

  4. Allow the squash to cool.

  5. Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

  6. Sieve the flour, baking powder and spices together and set aside.

  7. Mash the squash and mix it with the eggs, milk and vanilla.

  8. Add this to the sugar and butter mixture, stirring to combine.

  9. Stir in the dry ingredients until combined.

  10. Add the chopped dates and walnuts and stir.

  11. Scoop the batter into your prepared tin.

  12. Place in the centre of your oven and bake for about an hour and ten minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

  13. Allow to cool in the tin.

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