A caramel butternut squash torte would be the perfect dessert for this fall season. baked in a sweet pastry crust, you won't believe it's butternut squash!
What could be better this fall season than my Caramel Butternut Squash Torte?
It’s no secret that I love browsing through food magazine’s, and I’m not talking about those tired old publications that use to be the industry standard. You won’t find many US magazine’s in my house if you find any. What you will find is an assortment of British and Australian Publications, ranging from the BBC Good Food to Australia’s Delicious!
I will freely admit that two of my favorites are Donna Hay and Woman and Home “Feel Good Food” , not typically a man’s magazine but definitely worth the read. This particular recipe comes from Christmas edition of “Feel Good Food”, and that issue had so many wonderful creations that I bought it immediately, waiting until I got home to truly enjoy each delicious page (once you start drooling on the paper you buy it anyway). I kept buying Butternut Squash, thinking this would be the week that I made, but weeks turned into months, and finally, with spring on our doorstep, I figured it was now or next winter, and I just couldn’t wait that long to try this torte.
If you love fall desserts, take a look at my Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake.
I know with spring coming this isn’t exactly the time of year to be posting a recipe with winter squash, but if you can still get your hands on some, give it a try! The only thing missing from this dessert was a big dollop of fresh whipped cream, and if I had seasoned it up just a bit more, you would’ve sworn it was pumpkin, only lighter. The filling had a custard-like quality that left you feeling satisfied instead of overwhelmed, the perfect end to a meal!
If you’ve tried my Caramel Butternut Squash Torte recipe or any other recipe on askchefdennis.com please don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know where you found it in the comments below, I love hearing from you!
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Caramel Butternut Squash Torte
Ingredients
Sweet Crust
- 2 oz unsalted butter -very cold cut into slices
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp Baking powder
- 1 tbsp ice water if needed*
Filling
- 9 oz Butternut squash cleaned and cut into cubes, 250 g
- 2 large eggs
- 1 13.4 oz can of dulce de leche or caramel*
- 4 oz Ricotta Cheese
- 1 Tsp Vanilla
- 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 cup Pecans chopped
- dusting of confectioners sugar
Instructions
Sweet Pastry dough
- In a food processor add the flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder and pulse to blend
- add butter and pulse until grainy
- add egg and pulse
- if dough is not coming together on the blade add up to one tablespoon of ice water to mix and pulse.
- roll pastry dough on a floured surface until it is large enough to fit into a tart pan *
- If the dough feels to soft, return pan to refrigerator or freezer until the dough is firm.
- Place parchment or foil inside of tart pan and add pie weights to pan to keep the surface flat while baking.
- Bake tart for 10 minutes at 350 degrees, remove pie weights and parchment and continue to bake for 7-10 more minutes *
- Allow shell to cool before filling
Filling
- Steam butternut squash in 400 degree oven for 20 minutes or until tender
- Place eggs, 1/2 can of dulce de leche or caramel, vanilla, ricotta and cinnamon into the food processor and pulse until blended.
- Add cooled squash and pulse until smooth
- fill tart shell with mix and place into a 350 degree oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the custard is set.
- Allow tart to cool on wire rack, but while still warm spread the remainder of the can of dulce de leche on the top of the tart.
- Sprinkle with chopped pecans and allow to cool until set completely, about 1 hour.
- Dust around the rim with confectioners sugar and serve with fresh whipped cream
Notes
*If you freeze the pastry dough unbaked in the tart pan, you do not need to place parchment and pie weights in the pan while baking.
*if crust on the rim appears to be getting too dark cover with foil to finish baking
The Sage Book Whisperer says
I would like very much to try my hand at this recipe as I cook w/ Butternut Squash often. However, I don’t understand just how much to use in this torte_?”9 oz (250 g) Butternut squash” ? How many cups are you referring to since it’s difficult to gauge a 9 oz. BS in the grocery store_ Is it equivalent to( i.e. 2 cups of peeled & diced, etc.)? I know that a 2 lb Butternut Squash yields about 3 cups. Maybe I’ll just eyeball it_ but would like to be accurate_ sounds & looks really good!
Chef Dennis Littley says
I weighed my squash so I’m not sure how many cups it would be, but I’m thinking around 2 but I don’t think it will affect it if its off a bit.. It was very tasty, and I hope you enjoy it.
lisa says
hi dennis just wanted to know if you could tell me how to make napoleon vanilla slice recipe please will like to make it for a friend that just had a baby ty
Cheryl and Adam @ pictureperfectmeals.com says
Hey chef, long time! Can’t believe how much we’ve missed due to endless work demands over the last couple of months. Glad we didn’t miss this. Great combination of flavors, caramel and butternut squash sound perfect together, and the Amelia’s cinnamon spicing pecans add a nice touch. Agree with the cookie crust rather than the filo, the texture’s better with the squash,we think. Hope all’s well with you and yours…we’ll be in touch soon!
[email protected] Dusting of Sugar says
That looks amazing!!
Ally says
Drool worthy… as always!!!
http://allykayler.blogspot.com/
Kita says
Squash is something we are guilty of never having in this house but I am always looking for ways to sneak new vegetables in without BF knowing and what a better way to do it than in a torte! He would never know! 😀 I love this idea annnd now Im off to see where I can get my hands on a Donna Hay magazine.
Amy's Cooking Adventures says
This looks just lovely! I love when vegetables are in sweet things!
Happy When Not Hungry says
Wow this torte looks amazing! What a delicious recipe. I def will have to try!
Lynn @ I'll Have What She's Having says
I do the same thing. I love sitting down in a comfy bookstore chair with a nice coffee and a stack of magazines I’d love to buy but really shouldn’t. The Australian and British mags have some really tasting sounding recipes, and I love the photography.
This tart sounds amazing, I love the combination of caramel and squash!
[email protected] says
Great recipe 🙂 Anything with caramel is lovely!!! YUM YUM YUM ~ glad you like our publications from Australia ~ but i like reading food magazines from the US too!
Cucina49 says
Chef, that is too gorgeous–and cinnamon pecans? It sounds delicious!
Maureen says
If it’s got vegetables in it, it’s dinner and you can eat a lot. That’s what I was told anyway. 🙂
This looks fantastic, Dennis!
sonia says
Hi There, Congratulations for being on top 9 !!!!!!
This looking so delightful and appetizing. A very well made post with beautiful pictures.Loved the cinnamon and pecan flavor. I’ve bookmarked this special recipe of urs and wud love to give it a shot soon. Have a wonderful week ahead. Thanks & Regards, Sonia !!!
wendyb964 says
Of course the picture and title of the foodbuzz entry that piqued my interest was from Chef Dennis! I had made two cans of dulce de leche with no use for the second. And the chopped butternut squash in the freezer keeps falling out, perhaps a hint to use it. If I can’t figure out the nuts I have a stash of brown sugar crispy pecans. Yum! And the pate sucre, imho, is so much better than graham crackers (yeah, a texture thing.)
I’d never used nor made dulce de leche before making it in the crockpot: unopened, covered with water, on low, for 8 hr then refrigerated overnight. Not caramel enough on its own, imho, but lovey as dulce de leche.
Will come back and rate as soon as I make it. Sure to be a winner! Thanks
Choc Chip Uru says
This torte looks so delicious – I love the flavour combination and textures throughout 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Latest: Come to my Tea Party
anna says
mmm this looks so yummy and classy! and you know i’m going to be telling myself it’s healthy while i eat it, because there is SQUASH! mmmm!
FreeSpiritEater says
Brilliant recipe Dennis! I love caramel and butternut squash, what a beautiful combination. Definitely something I would order at a restaurant. Looks incredibly delicious. Thanks for sharing! Hope you had a wonderful weekend =]
Mike says
Dennis; What a wonderful combination; Caramel, Butternut Squash, in a torte (and of course with your generous addition of the cinnamon spicing pecans topping it off quite nicely)!! This is the kind of recipe, from delicious natural ingredients all masterfully presented together, that great chefs like yourself thrive on creating again and again.
No doubt the first is a new serial Top 9’s. And thanks again for the mention.
Anita at Hungry Couple says
The torte certainly is a beauty and I’m a big fan of sweet pastry crusts!
mangiabella says
what an interesting recipe…great photos as always. Just when I was getting used to the warm 70 degree weather, we had a cold front run through….life is like this I think…staying in the moment helps me stay the course…have a stellar week chef
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
What a fabulous torte! I still haven’t baked with butternut squash, but I can see it being a marvelous way to prepare it.
Maggie says
Absolutely delightful! What a comforting and beautiful tart. I especially love the pecans on top….drooling profusely.
Kiri W. says
Oh my – every time I think I’ve seen the mos indulgently perfect treat – someone one-ups it. What a feast! The torte alone sounds to die for, but then to add cinnamon candied pecans? I would sell my soul for a slice!
Cher says
A great use for those end of winter squash sitting in the pantry.
Not many people will go with me to the bookstore any more – they usually drop me off and head somewhere more “interesting”. I guess I take too long…
Sandie says
Wow! Next to lemons, butternut squash and caramel come next to being my favorites! I am def going to make this recipe next on my list! Great job!
Carolyn says
Wow, Dennis, that looks divine. Truly divine!
Liz says
Oh, I LOVE when you make desserts, Chef Dennis! Another winner, my friend! Just beautiful…and it’s close enough to pumpkin pie that the picky family would eat this one if I just don’t mention that it’s squash 🙂
Jill Colonna says
Loving this Torte, Dennis. I can just about taste it from here! There’s nothing to beat great magazines with a cuppa and inspiration! Just like this caramel, cinnamon….perfection!
Foodness Gracious says
A perfect slice! Caramel is my favorite of all sweets in any form, candy, sauce however it decides to visit me. Great post and I’m trying to post more reguarly on G+ so hope you catch them!
Take care..
Elin says
Chef, that looks delicious…caramel butternut squash torte and cinnamon pecans…awww awesome dessert ! I love going to bookstores and seldom leave without one :p
Have a nice day ,
Elin
Mary Ellen @ Pâte à Chew says
This looks fab, I love how you used the squash here! You always post such great and interesting dishes!
Alyssa says
What a great way to use butternut squash! When my son was a baby, I used to roast it with a little cinnamon and nutmeg and puree for baby food. However, I never would have thought to make it into a pie. I’m not usually big on pie crusts, but I think I’d make an exception for yours. Great recipe!
celiacasaurus says
mmmmm…looks so delicious. There is still plenty of snow on the ground here in Calgary, so we’ll take all the comfort food you can dish out 🙂
Happy Spring!
Christie
cookingrookie says
This is a gorgeous cake! I love these 2 complementary photos: the slice and the cake without the slice 🙂