Pies and Plots

Writing Never Tasted So Sweet

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Press
  • Contact
  • Books

Squash Spice Cake with Salted Caramel

November 29, 2022

Share
Pin12
Tweet
Email
Print
12Shares
Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Traditions and traditional things are to be appreciated all the time, especially at the holidays.  Decorations, parades, songs, food … it all tugs at our heartstrings because the favorites have been around for what seems like forever.

Sometimes, it’s fun and excited to not change those things but just tweak them, give them a creative spin.  Like purple Christmas lights (that’s what’s currently brightening out lanai) and cranberry sauce with a kick of habanero peppers.  The sentiment remains the same, but with a little flair.

Maybe these adjustments are temporary or new traditions, but either way they put a little more pep in my holiday step.

And so does this squash spice cake.  Pumpkin cake (and bread and pie and everything else) is always a hit, but it’s been done.  A lot.  So to change it up by using a much more flavorful gourd but still leaning on all those warm, holiday spices and a tangy cream cheese frosting brings back all those memories without being boring.

This cake is really perfect for any fall or winter occasion but the addition of a generous helping of salted caramel and a tiered presentation makes it quite special for a holiday get together.  It will definitely put you on the nice list with anyone you share it with.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Squash Spice Cake with Salted Caramel


★★★★★

5 from 1 review

  • Author: Laura
  • Total Time: 2 hours
  • Yield: 15 servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

Spice cake made with squash instead of pumpkin and layered with salted caramel and crunchy pecans, and finished with cream cheese frosting.


Ingredients

Scale

Cake

2 cups paleo flour blend (2 cups almond flour, 1 ¼ cups tapioca starch, ¾ cup coconut flour)

2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder

¾ teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons ground ginger

½ teaspoon ground cloves

½ teaspoon ground cardamom

1 cup coconut sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla bean powder

4 large eggs

¾ cup olive oil

2 cups cooked and mashed butternut or other pumpkin like squash

½ cup unsweetened almond milk

Caramel

1 cup coconut sugar

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

¼ cup water

1 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon espresso powder

1 vanilla bean, split and scraped, pod reserved

¼ cup coconut butter

¾ teaspoon sea salt

Frosting

16 ounces cream cheese

¼ cup pure maple syrup

¼ cup caramel sauce

1 tablespoon vanilla bean powder

2 tablespoons tapioca starch

2 cups toasted pecans, for assembly


Instructions

Make the cake.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/ 325 degrees F convection.  Oil 2 8 or 9 inch cake pans and a smaller ramekin sized baking vessel and line the bottom only with parchment.

In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, vanilla, eggs, oil, and squash until well combined.  Stir in half the flour along with the spices.  Whisk in the milk, then the remaining flour as well as the baking powder and baking soda.

Divide the batter among the pans and bake 25-30 minutes (the smaller one may be done closer to 20 minutes), until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool completely in the pans.

Make the caramel.  In a medium saucepan, stir together the sugar, syrup, and water. Place over medium heat and cook until the sugar is dissolved.  Stir in the cream as well as the espresso powder and vanilla bean seeds and pod and continue to cook, stirring frequently, for about 10 until thickened and deep amber in color.  Remove from the heat and stir in the coconut butter and salt.  Pour into a bowl and cool.

When ready to assemble the cake, make the frosting.  In a large bowl, using a hand or stand mixer, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy.  Beat in the syrup, caramel, vanilla, and tapioca until the desired consistency is reached.  You may desire to add a couple tablespoons of heavy cream if the frosting is not glossy enough.

Place one of the large cakes on the serving platter of your choice.  Place a rim of frosting around the edge of the cake and then fill it with about ½ cup of the caramel and about ½ cup of the pecans, chopped.  Top with the remaining large cake.  Generously frost the cake with the cream cheese frosting.

Take the smaller cake and slice it in half, horizontally.  Place the bottom half on a flat surface, rim the edge with frosting, and fill the inside with 1/3 cup of caramel and 1/3 cup of chopped pecans.  Frost it generously and place on top of the larger cake using a spatula.

Garnish the cake with pecan halves and pour caramel over the top to finish.  Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Notes

Recipe adapted from The Baker Chick

  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 1 hour

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @piesandplots on Instagram

Filed Under: Cake Tagged With: Caramel, Cream Cheese, Pecans, squash

« Flashbacks and Echoes #FashionFriday
Make the Whole Place Shimmer #FashionFriday »

Comments

  1. Debbie Eccard says

    November 29, 2022 at 7:05 pm

    This looks decadent! Scott loves caramel and this looks outstanding!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura says

      December 15, 2022 at 2:13 pm

      He would absolutely love this!!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Welcome to Pies and Plots. I’m Laura Dembowski, writer, baker, and fashionista sharing recipes, reviews, and tips to inspire you to enjoy life both inside and outside the kitchen.
…Read More

The Latest

Categories

piesandplots

Fashion 👡 👗Florida ☀️🌴 Fiction 🖋📚 Food 🎂🥩
#ootdshare #floridavibes #amwriting #bakersofinstagram

Laura Dembowski
So many things to be thankful for today and everyd So many things to be thankful for today and everyday 🧡  Thanksgiving will always be my reminder to be grateful for my move to Florida 🌴  Three Thankgivings ago I got on an airplane and never looked back. I'm so lucky I get to call this magical place home and share it with people I love and care about 💛 

#thanksgiving #grateful #thankful #happygirl #luckygirl #floridavibes #floridagirl #floridaholiday #floridathanksgiving #orlandoinfluencer #orlandoflorida #orlando #thecitybeautiful #resortlife #vacayvibes #strikeapose #model #blondehairdontcare #floridafall #winterpark #winterparkfl #ootdshare #styleblogger #stylish #fashionista #familytime #dressup #floridalife #livinginparadise #isthisreallife
In my celebration era since it's Mom's birthday 🎂 🎉 🍾  Karma is this one of a kind smart, strong, kind woman being the one I can count all day every day 💪 I hope today and all the days are awesome for you, Mom 💖 My days are better with you as a part of them 🌟

#ootdshare #fashionblogger #fashionistas #likemotherlikedaughter #momsofinstagram #momsarethebest #momsaresuperheroes #happybirthday #happybirthdaymom #lookgoodfeelgood #celebrate #happygirl #luckygirl #blondehairdontcare #floralprint #winterparkfl #floridagirl #floridavibes #familyphotography #familytime #strikeapose #model #styleblogger #redlipclassic #waldorfastoria #waldorforlando #winterpark #ageisjustanumber #momboss
Dirty Chai Banana Bread is my all-time favorite ba Dirty Chai Banana Bread is my all-time favorite banana recipe 💛

It's easy to make, is super comforting (especially during this dreary Orlando weather), and it screams Thanksgiving breakfast 🍂

The recipe is on the blog as always 🍌

#ontheblog #linkinprofile #comfortfood #grainfree #glutenfree #bananabread #bananabreadrecipe #bananarecipes #dirtychai #sugarspiceandeverythingnice #butfirstcoffee #f52grams #todayfood #yahoofood #buzzfeedfood #huffposttaste #bonappetit #imsomartha #bakefeed #thanksgivingrecipe #thanksgivingbreakfast #fallrecipe #paleobreakfast #paleorecipe #eatrealfood #eatdessertfirst #bakersofig #bakersgonnabake #breakfastofchampions
All the fall and Thanksgiving vibes with these But All the fall and Thanksgiving vibes with these Butter Tart Bars 🍁🍂🍁

This recipe adapted from @mary_berg3 is on the blog ❤️

#ontheblog #linkinprofile #ambaking #bakersofig #fallbaking #fallvibes #thanksgivingvibes #thanksgivingrecipe #thanksgivingdessert #falldessert #raisins #pecans #imsomartha #buzzfeedfood #huffposttaste #thekitchn #comfortfood #gooeydessert #cookiebar #eatrealfood #paleodessert #paleorecipe #grainfree #glutenfree #eatdessertfirst #buttertart #buttertartbars #maplesyrup #todayfood
Since it's November I can post all the holiday pho Since it's November I can post all the holiday photos and start dreaming about spending as much of the season as humanly possible at the Ritz right??? 🎄✨🎄

#ontheblog #linkinprofile #ootdshare #lookgoodfeelgood #fashionista #fashionstyle #styleblogger #christmasfashion #holidaydress #holidayfashion #christmasvibes #holidayvibes #rcmemories #ritzcarlton #ritzcarltonorlando #teddybeartea #teatime #afternoontea #strikeapose #model #blondehairdontcare #redlipclassic #partydress #fancydress #smokeyeyes #gingerbreadhouse #floridachristmas #floridaholidays #orlandoinfluencer
Still can't believe I got to meet Bryan Cranston a Still can't believe I got to meet Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul last night!  I'm a huge fan of both of them after watching Breaking Bad, and I love Dos Hombres mezcal 🍹  They are super nice guys and took their time chatting and taking photos with everyone there. I'm so thrilled I got to attend this event and that it was at the Waldorf, one of my favorite places 🌴💚 The signed and engraved bottle is a fabulous keepsake from an unforgettable evening ✨️

#breakingbad #doshombres #doshombresmezcal #bryancranston #aaronpaul #cheersyall #mezcallovers #waldorforlando #waldorfastoria #orlandoflorida #orlando #orlandoinfluencer #thecitybeautiful #takemeback #bestnightever #likemotherlikedaughter #nightout #lookgoodfeelgood #blondehairdontcare #ootdshare #sequindress #partydress #happygirl #luckygirl #isthisreallife #floridagirl #resortlife #memories #strikeapose
Load More... Follow on Instagram
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Pies and Plots · Web Design by Viva la Violet