Kabocha Squash Cake with Brown Sugar Cream

Kabocha Squash Cake with Brown Sugar Cream
Kabocha Squash Cake with Brown Sugar Cream
These little cakes from Will Goldfarb have lots of fall flavor thanks to kabocha, a round Japanese winter squash. Make the cream a day ahead.
  • Preparing Time: -
  • Total Time: -
  • Served Person: Makes 6 servings
Japanese Cake Beer Milk/Cream Dessert Bake Vanilla Squash Bon Appétit Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 3/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 3 large egg whites
  • 1/2 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
  • nonstick vegetable oil spray
  • 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
  • 1/3 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
  • Carbohydrate 56 g(19%)
  • Cholesterol 144 mg(48%)
  • Fat 49 g(75%)
  • Fiber 1 g(4%)
  • Protein 8 g(16%)
  • Saturated Fat 21 g(107%)
  • Sodium 250 mg(10%)
  • Calories 687

PreparationFor brown sugar cream: Place 1 tablespoon water in cup. Sprinkle gelatin over. Let stand 10 minutes to soften. Stir cream and sugar in medium saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Add egg whites and whisk until mixture thickens, about 12 minutes (do not boil). Add gelatin mixture; whisk until dissolved. Strain into large clean bowl. Chill until cold. Cover and chill overnight. For cakes: Combine squash and milk in heavy small saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Bring to simmer over medium heat. Partially cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until squash is very tender, about 20 minutes. Remove vanilla bean. Drain squash. Place in processor and blend until smooth. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray six 3/4cup ramekins with nonstick spray. Place 1/2 cup squash puree in large bowl (reserve remaining puree for another use). Add sugar, oil, beer, and egg to puree and beat to blend. Sift flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt over; beat to blend. Divide batter among prepared ramekins. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 18 minutes. Cool cakes in ramekins. Turn out onto plates. Beat brown sugar cream to firm peaks; spoon alongside cakes.

PreparationFor brown sugar cream: Place 1 tablespoon water in cup. Sprinkle gelatin over. Let stand 10 minutes to soften. Stir cream and sugar in medium saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Add egg whites and whisk until mixture thickens, about 12 minutes (do not boil). Add gelatin mixture; whisk until dissolved. Strain into large clean bowl. Chill until cold. Cover and chill overnight. For cakes: Combine squash and milk in heavy small saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Bring to simmer over medium heat. Partially cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until squash is very tender, about 20 minutes. Remove vanilla bean. Drain squash. Place in processor and blend until smooth. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray six 3/4cup ramekins with nonstick spray. Place 1/2 cup squash puree in large bowl (reserve remaining puree for another use). Add sugar, oil, beer, and egg to puree and beat to blend. Sift flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt over; beat to blend. Divide batter among prepared ramekins. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 18 minutes. Cool cakes in ramekins. Turn out onto plates. Beat brown sugar cream to firm peaks; spoon alongside cakes.