Is it just me, or do you also hate the thought of peeling a butternut squash? The skin of those autumnal vegetables is extraordinarily tough…and I get nervous even though we have good, strong knives. And yet, their deep orange flesh just begs to be tossed in oil and roasted in a hot oven. I just can’t resist them in the fall…and so I take deep breaths and work slowly but steadily with my knife.
This butternut squash bread is a perfect way to welcome October (is it really already October?) We roasted half of a squash for dinner, and then I grated the rest. Coconut sugar, whole wheat flour, walnuts and then a heaping two cups of grated butternut squash make this bread a wholesome indulgence. I’m enjoying a slice right now, alongside a cup of tea, as I watch the sun set and wonder, will one of my moms go into labor tonight? I have three moms due in October, which means that I’ll likely be disappearing when the moon is high…my camera bag in tow. And wouldn’t a slice of this bread be the perfect midnight treat? A jolt of energy and flavor to prepare me for the unpredictable beauty of labor.
So make this. It will leave your house smelling a bit more like fall.
Butternut Squash Bread
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cup baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon roasted cinnamon
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
3/4 cups coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
3 eggs
2 cups grated butternut squash
Line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper. Grease lightly with butter and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and spices. Set aside. In a larger bowl, beat together melted butter and coconut sugar. Add eggs, beating well. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Stir in grated buternut squash. Spread in prepared pan and sprinkle with walnuts. Bake in preheated 350 F oven for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
This bread looks like it has perfect texture. I was just peeling a butternut squash the other day using a vegetable peeler, chef’s knife hybrid technique. It’s tough!
My friend Oma told me that she never peels squash or pumpkin, just roasts them in the skin and peels them after they’re cooked. I was delighted with the idea. 🙂 This bread sounds marvelous.
I have yet to bake with butternut squash, but I will this year. This bread looks delicious, and I love butternut squash so much that it’s worth the effort for me to peel and cut it — it’s a labor of love! 🙂
I’m not in love with peeling butternut squash either, but it’s soooooo worth it. Especially for baked goods like this one.
Yep I too hate peeling the pumpkin skin, I always hollered to my son to do it for me:D That bread looks lovely! Indeed a very warm and homey bread to come back to!
I feel the same way about peeling squash. One of the most dangerous tasks to complete in the kitchen – seriously! But I know the risks, and like you, I love the end results! Your bread looks and sounds delicious. Sounds like a busy but exciting month ahead of you 🙂
I admit that I often buy the pre-cut squash. But peeling and grating a squash for this bread would be SO worth it! I’ve never thought to put squash in a bread before, but I love it!! 🙂
It looks fabulous! A heavenly fall cake.
Cheers,
Rosa
mmmmmmhmmmm!! This bread is definitely perfect for fall and winter! I love adding butternut squash to baked treats and coconut sugar? Woman after my own heart! Hope you had a lovely weekend, dear!
A friend taught me a trick to microwave the squash for a couple minutes first. Let it cool for a bit, and then it’s easier to cut! I’ve definitely cut my finger a couple times on pesky butternut squash, but this trick has helped. I LOVE pumpkin bread, so I’m sure I’d love this squash variation. Sounds lovely with a cup of tea! Hope you have lots of healthy babies and happy mommas to photograph!
I am so glad I am not the only one that gets nervous about peeling butternut squash, I have had a few accidents in the past and maybe avoid recipes containing it?!?!?!?! I shall pluck up the courage and get some strong knives while I am at it!
Yeah, I’m with you – I get nervous every single time I cut up a butternut squash! But I love em’ so plow on we must! haha This bread looks absolutely wonderful – I would love a slice with the tea I’m about to enjoy!
I’ve had one experience with trying to peel a butternut squash and it was a complete nightmare. I definitely agree that this bread would be worth the trouble, though, because I’ve never made a loaf with squash before! Love it!
Monet,
I, too use the rick to soften the squaash in the microewave to soften the skin a bit. Works like a charm. I ;ove to roast and bake butternut squash, but have never put it in bread, only pumpkin bread. Thanks for the lovely idea!
I am not a fan of squash, but I think I would enjoy it like this.
Butternut squash are not so fun to work with, but the results are definitely worth it. This bread sounds spectacular, and definitely perfect for the season!
I do the same thing as Trisha and Becky!
The walnuts on top are amazing! I take the lazy way out and I buy my butternut squash cubed and peeled 🙂
I agree about the scary knife vs butternut squash feelings – it can be daunting. But it’s worth it to make this lovely bread. Pinning to try soon!
I know! I can’t believe that it is October already either! Crazy, but good! I’ve been eating so much butternut squash lately and I love that you baked it into bread! So creative and so delicious 🙂
This is so gorgeous! I love the swirls of orange from the butter squash.
Like you, I have a fear of removing the skin from a pumpkin. No matter how sharp the knife, it’s so easy for it to slip. I love the look of your bread; I saw it on FB and thought it looked like a lovely snack and so full of Autumnal flavours xx
I once had an amazing butternut squash recipe (we call it pumpkin here, I don’t know why) and I lost it. I wonder if this is similar? It looks very good!
I didn’t know you were a birth photographer, what a special moment to be able to capture for couples.
I agree — peeling butternut squash isn’t fun at all! But it’s so worth it. I’ve done the microwave trick, and that seems to help quite a bit. Anyway, lovely recipe — thanks.
I am extremely afraid of butternut squash. Ok, I usually get the Chinese type cleaver and use my frustrations in the neck part, then I peel it. But then, I am left with that round bottom and the fear only increases…
I’ve been known to dice only the neck part, and roast the rest until it is soft and mellow.
I’ve also been known to bag pre-diced butternut squash at the store (shame on me, don’t tell other bloggers… 🙂
This sounds wonderful! And I agree, cutting a butternut squash is a bit of a challenge, but it’s totally worth it the time and effort. =)
I know exactly what you mean about peeling tough vegetables… I always inhale a little more haphazardly as I put my weight against the knife! I often roast pumpkins and squash with the skin on these days. It’s pretty easy to peel off afterwards (or occasionally, I just gnaw on it when it becomes thin and caramelized. Pretty yummy!). This bread looks beautiful. Perfect nourishment… I am in love with breads like this. Such a great way to get extra veggie intake xx
Have you tried peeling butternut squashes with a vegetable peeler? They don’t all work (my work one must be too blunt), but if you have one that the one I have at home get the job done in about 30 seconds. This bread looks absolutely delicious, the perfect midnight snack no matter why you are awake.
I have no qualm about cutting and peeling butternut squash. It’s a therapeutic experience 🙂 This bread needs to be on my menu. ASAP!
I love pumpkin bread, so I’m sure your squash version would be marvelous, too! I cut myself chopping fruit last week…I think I’ll have someone else do the squash peeling for me :/
I’m not sure which I’ll love more – the taste or the amazing smell that’s going to spread through the house. Looks gorgeous!
I have never made anything with butternut squash, but whenever I see it in the grocery store, It looks daunting. But this bread looks amazing! I was thinking about making banana bread this week, but I may change my mind and try my hand at butternut squash baking instead
I completely agree…butternut squash is the worst to peel. I do love it though. This bread…mind=blown away.