Can I Use Home-Made Pumpkin Puree For The Pumpkin Bundt Cake?

Our answer

Nigella's Pumpkin Bundt Cake (from SIMPLY NIGELLA is a gently spiced, moist cake. It is perfect for a Thanksgiving dessert, or as part of a dessert table, particularly as the shapes of bundt cakes mean that they rarely need much decoration.

The recipe suggests to use pumpkin puree from a tin or can as it is a convenient option. But it is also possible to make your own pumpkin or butternut squash puree. Peel the skin from the pumpkin or butternut squash, remove the seeds and cut the flesh into large chunks. Steam the pumpkin or butternut until completely soft, cool and then puree. We prefer steaming to boiling, as if you boil the flesh it absorbs some liquid during cooking and the resulting puree can be too watery and insipid. You could also put the chunks of flesh into a microwaveable bowl, add a little water, cover (with a gap for steam to escape) and microwave until the flesh is soft. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chunks and the power of the microwave. Cool and puree before using.