Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup pureed roasted butternut squash
- ½ cup almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
- 1 cup powdered sugar (optional for frosting)
- 3 tbsp almond milk (optional for frosting)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional for frosting)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Halve the butternut squash, remove seeds, and roast, cut-side down, for 30-40 minutes until tender. Cool before peeling and pureeing.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
- In another bowl, combine brown sugar, applesauce, butternut squash puree, almond milk, vanilla, and oil. Mix until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to wet ingredients, stirring until just combined (do not overmix).
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Mix powdered sugar, almond milk, and vanilla in a bowl until smooth, adding more liquid if necessary to reach desired consistency.
- Once the cake is cool, frost with the vegan frosting, if using, and slice to serve.