As I open my cupboard that holds all my cookbooks, I grab a copy of the one I wrote , stained and tattered, filled with not only recipes, but memories too.
Some might think I’d never have to look up a recipe again, having made each of them countless times while testing, but I do. I could probably get by, but reading my own writing, and cooking from something in my hands is one of the reasons I think we still buy cookbooks even in a digital age. It’s the experience and the feeling.
And although pumpkin is lovely, I’m glad to see more people of replacing it with squash in autumn treats like pie. Not only do I think the taste is richer and less vegetal, but because squash has a lower water content, the texture is creamier.
This Butternut Squash Pie with Candied Pecans is an adaptation from the Sweet Delicata Pie in my cookbook, my favorite “sweet” recipe of them all with my favorite squash.
Delicata squash has a flavor like sweet potatoes and macadamia nuts, buttery and rich. As the pie bakes, it takes on a deep caramel color, rich and creamy, with brown sugar notes that make merry with warm spices.
The salty-sweet oat crust is foolproof, and naturally gluten-free to boat. And between you and me, I prefer it over pastry crusts (when I need one for apple pie, this is the gluten-free lattice version I like to use).
So why the adaptations? Well, the most questions I get during cooking classes and here on the blog are how to adjust recipes for different food intolerances or preferences. I totally get it, after going through a year of auto-immune issues. I try to do my best to provide suggestions or do more recipe testing to provide an option, which is what I did with this pie when one of my students couldn’t consume dairy.
Coconut oil can do magical things, and I found out that “cutting it into” the oat mixture just like I did with butter worked perfectly. You start with it at soft, scoopable stage and use your hands to massage it into ingredients. You don’t notice the coconut flavor, and it holds together so well. You can even pick up a slice and eat it on the go without it falling apart – trust me, I tried it.
Making the filling dairy-free was relatively easy, swapping almond milk for regular, but decreased the amount originally called for because it is more water-based.
And although I prefer roasting delicata squash to make the puree, I realize we’re all human. There are days when we just don’t have time, the energy, or maybe even the access to delicata squash as called for in my original recipe. With that in mind, I experimented with using organic, canned butternut squash puree, and the result was a win. The flavor is a little lighter than the deepness you get from roasted squash puree, but truly the difference was minimal. I’ve made it using kabocha squash too with much success.
So from my oven to yours, I’m wishing you a happy winter squash season, and hoping that maybe this Winter Squash Pie makes into your harvest party, or perhaps Thanksgiving table. You won’t miss the pumpkin, dairy, or gluten – I’m sure of it. ☺
If you make this butternut squash pie, be sure to tag me on instagram with hashtag #heartbeetkitchen or @heartbeetkitchen!
Butternut Squash Pie with Candied Pecans
A warmly spiced butternut squash pie, that's better than pumpkin pie!
Ingredients
Oat Crust
- 3/4 cup quick-cooking oats (70 grams)
- 1/2 cup oat flour (64 grams)
- 1/4 cup almond flour (28 grams)
- 2 packed tablespoons brown sugar
- 5 tablespoons soft, Nutiva coconut oil (scoopable stage)
Winter Squash Pie Filling
- 1 3/4 cups roasted squash puree (my favorite to use is delicata) or 1 (15 ounce can) organic butternut squash puree
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
Candied Pecans
- 1 tablespoon soft coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 1/2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup raw, coarsely chopped pecans
- big pinch of salt
Instructions
- for pecans: Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Place small saucepan on stove and turn to medium heat. Add coconut oil to melt, then stir in salt and brown sugar. Cook for 2 minutes to slightly dissolve, then add pecans and maple syrup. Cook for 6-7 minutes on medium heat, letting it bubble slowly and thicken, creating a sticky mixture. Remove from heat and spoon onto wax paper, spreading out slightly. Let cool, then break nuts apart and distribute on top of pie.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Add oats, oat flour, almond flour, and brown sugar to a large bowl. Stir together, then use your fingers and hands to work the coconut oil into the dry mixture. This will bring the crust together, and when you squeeze it, it should hold together, the oats, getting moisture from the oil.
- Grease your hands lightly and pat the mixture into a 9 inch pie pan, working the crust all the way up the sides of the pan. Bake for 15 minutes, until crust is lightly brown and smells nutty. Remove from oven and let cool on a cooling rack for 25 minutes.
- While crust is baking, add squash, pie spice, cinnamon, vanilla, almond milk, brown sugar and salt to a food processor. Puree until smooth, then add eggs. Pulse 6-7 times to incorporate, but do not puree. When crust has cooled, pour filling into crust (you may have a little extra, which you can pour into a small, greased ramekin and bake for a single, crust-less pie). Bake for 43-45 minutes, removing from oven when the filling is set but still a little loose in the middle. It will set up as it cools.
- Cool pie on a wire wrack, then place in refrigerator for at least 4 hours (overnight is best). Top with glazed pecans (recipe below), and slice for serving.
Nutiva is my favorite coconut oil! We buy it in buckets at my house.
This pie looks so incredible, Amanda! I am so excited when I see desserts on a blog that I can actually eat! I am going to try this as soon as I can, and I doubt their will be many leftovers, because my husband loves squash, too.
So beautiful! I’m sad to say I don’t venture out into different types of squash too regularly, but this might just convince me otherwise. Love that plate!
i’m daring you to switch pumpkin for squash :)! xo
This looks beautiful!! And those candied pecans, oh my!!
I made a double batch of the pecans because they are so delicious. Great on ice cream too!
you have no idea how badly I want a slice of this pie for my morning cup of coffee – it looks and sounds absolutely amazing!!
I love that pie plate! I have at least two jars of Nutiva coconut oil in my pantry right now. I use it for everything. I also roasted squash every single day this week and am always looking for new recipes, especially indulgent ones like this pie!
I have to look up recipes most of the time too! Love this recipe and that cute pie plate. Absolutely delicious!
the plate was one of those target clearance impulse buys. but glad i caved! thanks for stopping by Lauren. :)
you’re jumping into winter and we haven’t yet hit fall here in Cali ;-) love this beautiful pie! Delicata… yes, great choice. I don’t make squash pie nearly enough but have always loved the taste. Your crust sounds like perfection x (lovely colour palette in these photos including those pretty plates).
i’ve heard you are having super warm weather out on the west coast. and isn’t it funny how our bodies just say – hey fall, i’m ready for you! hope you try the pie, i think you’d love it. xo
You’re so right, Amanda – the texture on this looks so thick and not watery at all. Great tip! Seriously, this is beyond impressive… I’m going to have to try it immediately in my Thanksgiving menu testing. <3
A beautiful post and equally beautiful pie, sweet friend. I love baking this time of year for the memories and feelings it evokes…and the sweet smell of it filling the house. This pie looks wonderful; I love a treat that’s as nourishing as it is delicious. xoxo
This looks all shades of delicious!!! I love using oat/almond flours and those flavors would really complement the insides of this pie perfectly. Beautiful photos too. xo
PS That sounded really awkward but I think you get the gist of what I meant. …it’s still early in the morning. ;)
bwhhhaaa… :)! yes, i totally get what you were saying. thanks for stopping by, girl. xo
This looks absolutely incredible, Amanda! I have been meaning to make a “pumpkin pie” with squash instead for a long time and you’ve made me want to give it a go soon! I’m not on any special diet, but this crust looks amazing :-) Thanks for sharing such a delicious sounding recipe. <3 Love your blog!
I volunteered to bring pumpkin pie to Thanksgiving. I’m going to use this recipe instead!
yay Susie! I hope your family enjoys it. :) thanks for stopping by, and hope you are well. xo
This pie looks heavenly, Amanda, and the crust sounds equally as good! My kind of pie crust too. ;) I didn’t even realize you could get canned butternut squash – that tip will certainly come in handy in the next couple months! xo!
It looks so good, and I really appreciate the gluten free option.
Definitely Amy! Hope you enjoy, and happy fall.
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I’m in love with that plate!
:) a good find on the target clearance rack!
Wow I’m gluten free & dairy free so this recipe made me so excited!! I have a small butternut squash & a small delicate squash on my table right now so I might combine the two into this pie :) Has anyone tried to make it vegan? My roommate is vegan & would love for her to be able to partake. I have bob’s red mill egg replacer & could also try to use the flax egg method.