These delicious Squash Cakes with Coconut Cream are not only a unique, sweet and tasty way to enjoy squash, but are also vegan making them the perfect vegan dessert for Thanksgiving (or any occasion).
Every year I look forward to squash season because it signals that Thanksgiving is near. And every time I see squash, I remember my mom pointing out the different types of squash at the grocery store. So when I was at #MyPicknSave this week and saw the beautiful squash display, I just couldn’t resist buying a few to start making some Thanksgiving themed recipes.
Squash are such a versatile vegetable. They can be used in both savory and sweet dishes, but are notoriously hard to cut and cook.
However, I’m here share to a squash cooking technique that won’t leave you with sore arms (hence letting you enjoy squash even more!). It’s embarrassingly easy, you cut your squash in half, scoop out the innards (seeds and ‘guts’) and the put the halves in a microwave safe container and cook. That’s it! Then you can scoop out the squash and use it for your recipes! This method definitely works best if you want to use squash for puree, like in this recipe.
If you ask me, part of the fun of Thanksgiving is trying all the new dishes that make their way into the lineup. With big families on both my side (I have three sisters, in-laws, and friends) and on my hubby’s side (he has two sisters and then in-laws, more family and friends) it’s always so fun to see what everyone brings. And now that I think of it, the past three years I have made a dish that incorporates squash…is that weird? I think not, I’m just going to say that that’s my ‘thing’ lol.
And how cute are little desserts in ramekins? So this year my squash dish is going to be a sweet one. Little squash cakes topped with coconut cream! The dense cakes make me almost think of a pudding consistency, and are perfectly complimented by the coconut cream. I like to serve the cakes warm, which makes the coconut cream a little melty and perfect for dipping ones’ spoon into the little ramekins for bite after bite.
What are some of your favorite things about Thanksgiving? I like to find recipe inspiration from Pick ‘n Save’s social media accounts (Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter).
Ingredients
- 1 Acorn squash - cooked about 1 1/2 cups cooked squash (a little more or less is ok)
- 1/2 Cup Flour
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 Can Coconut Milk unsweetened
- 2 Tbs Sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Start by cutting the acorn squash in half. Clean out the innards, then put in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 12 min, or until the squash is easily poked by a fork. Remove from microwave and allow to cool for a few minutes before taking a spoon and spooning the squash (you'll scoop it out of the skin) into the bowl with the cake batter you'll have started while the squash was cooking.
- While the squash is cooking make the coconut cream. To do so you'll take a can of coconut milk and without having shaken it you'll open it. You'll find that there is solid/yet semi-soft white looking coconut after you open the can. Take a spoon and scoop the solid white coconut contents into a bowl. Stop scooping when you reach the clear coconut liquid (this you can throw out or save for a different recipe. Now add the two tablespoons sugar and with a hand mixer beat until the coconut cream forms peaks when a spoon is run through it (I whipped mine for 5 minutes.) Now take half the coconut cream and transfer it to another bowl.
- In the bowl with half the coconut cream now add flour, sugar, vanilla and baking powder. Beat with a hand mixer until incorporated (about 30 seconds, then when the squash is done cooking, scoop the squash into this batter and beat again with a hand mixer (about 1 minutes to incorporate it).
- Spoon batter into 4 ramekins and bake on cookie sheet for 20-25 minutes or until you see the cake has puffed up. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes (they'll unpoof and settle down forming a little well). Spoon a dollop of remaining coconut cream on each ramekin and serve!
Chris says
Thanksgiving is my favorite time of year, and my birthday this year! These look so yummy and will be a great addition to the dinner!
Sweetphi says
Oh how fun – happy birthday ahead of time 🙂
summerdf says
OH my gosh, Fee (#StarbucksNameFail) these look DELICIOUS! I love squash and I love coconut cream. I absolutely need to make these for our Thanksgiving celebration. My family would be blown away, I’m sure. now I just need to figure out how to photograph things like you do. 🙂 #client
Sweetphi says
Haha, don’t you love the name fails? They always get me…the best one was when I was in an airport and I said Phi and spelled it out…and the woman wrote ‘Feet’ on the cup…yes, I want you to publicly call me ‘Feet’ LOL! Thanks for commenting, as always, your comments make my day 🙂
atasteofmadess says
What an amazing dessert idea! I need to start baking with squash!
Sweetphi says
You definitely need to try baking with squash, it’s such a versatile vegetable 🙂
cheri says
Hi Phi, these look and sound wonderful, what a great tip!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much Cheri, I’m so glad you liked the squash cooking tip 🙂
genevieve y says
These are so cute! Can’t wait to try them 🙂
Sweetphi says
I think you’ll absolutely love them! Thanks for commenting!
Carrie @DietDeepDish says
These look great! And I love the idea of having a vegan option for guests. Great idea!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much Carrie, I definitely like having something for everyone to feel included with 🙂
christine // my natural kitchen says
I love desserts like this! Pumpkin pie is one of my favourite things, and I love how your squash cakes take a spin on those flavours. Just lovely!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much, these squash cakes are definitely my spin on pumpkin pie, and one just has to have a dollop of topping, right? Thanks again for commenting!
liztiptopshape says
My latest blog post is all about how difficult squash is to peel! lol We must be on the same wave length. I love squash for Thanksgiving. It just seems like the perfect festive side dish/dessert/wherever else you want to serve it! These little cakes look delicious!!!
Sweetphi says
Girl, squash IS so difficult to peel! Thank you for commenting and letting me know I’m not the only one that has these issues lol!
wearenotmartha says
These are right up my alley! That coconut cream looks crazy good!
Sues
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much Sues, isn’t coconut cream so good?!?
Lynn Lovejoy from Order in the Kitchen says
Oh Phi these look just phenomenal!!!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for your compliment girl, you know it totally makes my day 🙂