Recipe: Pumpkin-apple Gugelhupf with maple syrup-pumpkin seed topping

Pumpkins and apples are in high season in autumn. So it’s only natural to combine them in a juicy, spicy gugelhupf. Top it all off with maple syrup icing and pumpkin seeds, and you’ve got the perfect autumn cake for the coffee round.

Pumpkin seeds – nutrient-rich protein heroes

By the way, did you know that pumpkin seeds have a high protein content? This makes them a nutrient-rich topping, not only for cakes, but also for your porridge, to get your day off to a protein-rich start.

Pumpkin seeds are also rich in other nutrients such as zinc, magnesium, iron and selenium. The green seeds can improve heart health and lower blood sugar levels. They are also said to help with sleep disorders.

But now back to our Gugelhupf.

Which pumpkins are best for baking?

I prefer to use Hokkaido pumpkin for baking because it is so easy to use and I like its aromatic taste, which is slightly reminiscent of chestnuts.

Another pumpkin that is well suited for baking is the butternut squash, also called pear squash because of its shape. It also scores in terms of taste (buttery, sweet note) and processing. Unlike the Hokkaido pumpkin, its yellowish skin must be removed before processing, but it has few seeds.

How can I tell if a pumpkin is ripe?

When faced with the colourful range of pumpkins, you are often a little overwhelmed as to which pumpkin to choose. When buying a pumpkin, make sure that the skin is not damaged or bruised. Normally, you can store a pumpkin for weeks or even months if you store it correctly.

However, if the skin is damaged, the pumpkin may rot after a short time. The pumpkin is ripe when it passes the so-called knock test. To do this, tap the pumpkin lightly with your fingers. If it sounds hollow, it is ripe. A woody stem is another sign of ripeness.

How do I prepare the Gugelhupf?

Before we get to the recipe, here are a few tips on preparation:

How do I use the remaining pumpkin pulp?

300g of pulp is enough for the Gugelhupf. However, since pumpkins usually weigh a lot more, there is still some left over, which can also be used in other autumnal dishes. For example, how about a classic pumpkin soup or vegan pumpkin oat biscuits, or baked as a topping for our pumpkin and tomato porridge? The pumpkin flesh can be stored in the fridge for several days without any problems.

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Pumpkin-apple gugelhupf with maple syrup and pumpkin seed topping

The juicy pumpkin-apple gugelhupf is a simple but delicious autumn recipe. The perfectly coordinated spices give the cake a hint of the pre-Christmas season. The whole thing is refined by a maple syrup glaze and a topping of pumpkin seeds.

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time55 mins

Total Time1 hr 15 mins

Servings: 12 Pieces of cake

Ingredients

• 200 g raw cane sugar Demerara
• 180 ml sunflower oil
• 350 g fine spelt flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons gingerbread spice
• 1 pinch of salt
• 300 g Hokkaido pumpkin finely grated
• 70 g apple finely grated
• 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds

For the glaze

• 125 g icing sugar
• approx. 2 tbsp maple syrup
• approx. 1 tbsp milk

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 180 °C (top/bottom heat). 
• Grease a cake tin of your choice well and sprinkle with breadcrumbs or flour.
• Whip the eggs, sugar and oil with a food processor for about 3 to 4 minutes until the sugar has dissolved.
• Mix all the dry ingredients and stir into the egg and sugar mixture.
• Add the grated pumpkin and grated apples and mix in until an even batter is formed.
• Pour the batter into the prepared mould.
• Bake in the preheated oven on the second shelf from the bottom for 50 to 60 minutes.
• To test whether the cake is ready, do the chopstick test. To do this, insert a long wooden stick into the thickest part of the dough. If no lumps of dough stick to it, the Gugelhupf is done and can be taken out of the oven.
• Remove the finished cake from the oven, leave to cool slightly and carefully remove from the tin. 
• Leave to cool completely on a cooling rack.
• Then decorate the cake with the icing.
• Spread the pumpkin seeds over the icing.
• Let the glaze dry and then the cake can be served.

Enjoy baking and bon appétit!

Anna Lechner

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