Butternut Bakewell bars

Combining all the elements of a Bakewell slice with a slightly healthier twist. We’ve replaced white flour with light spelt, which contains more whole grains and adds nuttiness. Butternut squash is used for natural sweetness, meaning the bars have less refined sugar.

SERVES 20 PREP 45 mins plus 2 hrs chilling COOK 1 hour 50 mins MORE EFFORT

V1 Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Halve the butternut lengthways, scrape out and discard the pith and seeds, then put in a roasting tin, cut-side down. Roast in the oven for 1 hr 10 mins until completely soft. When it has 20 mins left, cook the pecans on a baking tray in the oven, then leave to cool. Scrape the flesh out of the butternut and purée in a food processor. Set both aside to cool. The purée and pecans can be prepared up to three days ahead. 2 For the pastry, blitz together the flour, butter and a pinch of salt in a food processor until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Add the egg and pulse until the pastry comes together. Wrap in cling film and chill for 2 hrs.

3 Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Butter and line a 20 x 30cm loose-bottomed baking tin. Roll out the pastry, then lift into the tin. Don’t worry if it falls apart a little, patch it up with your fingers and press down into the corners. Chill for 20 mins, then prick the base all over with a fork and bake for 10-12 mins until lightly coloured. Reduce oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.

4 Grind the pecans in a food processor, then tip into a large bowl with all the sponge filling ingredients and a pinch of salt. Beat with an electric whisk until well combined. Warm the marmalade, then spread over the pastry. Smooth the cake batter on top and bake for 20-25 mins. Leave to cool.

5 Mix the icing sugar with the cinnamon and enough water to make a thick drizzling consistency. Drizzle over the cake and scatter over the pecans. Once the icing is set, cut into 20 bars.

PER SERVING 299 kcals • fat 19g • saturates 7g • carbs 27g • sugars 13g • fibre 2g • protein 5g • salt 0.3g