Pumpkin Upside Down Cake

Instructions

1. I am using a butternut squash but you can use any variety of pumpkin you like the best
2. Peel and remove the seeds from your squash and then cut slices no more than ¼" thick rounds to fit into the bottom of the mini bundt pans by using biscuit cutters to make a perfect fit & also to cut out for the center hole
3. First spray your pan generously with pan grease and with the ingredients listed under "For the Upside Down Layer" melt the 3 Tbs of vegan butter
4. In the bottom of each bundt pan pour ½ Tbs of the melted vegan butter and sprinkle 1 Tbs of the sugar over the butter
5. Next the slice of butternut squash that has been cut to fit perfectly
6. Spray an additional spray of pan grease on all the pans sides to ensure a clean release after baking
7. Preheat the oven to 350°F
8. Now prepare the pumpkin cake batter by placing the brown sugar, salt & spices along with the melted vegan butter and plant milk together in a large mixing bowl and whisk to a smooth batter
9. Add the pumpkin and vanilla extract and whisk smooth
10. Add the flour and whisk vigorously to develop the batter (about 50 strokes)
11. Divide the batter equally between all the prepared 6 pans and bake immediately in the preheated oven for approximately 25minutes or when a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs, not raw batter
12. Cool for about 10 minutes in the pans then turn them out onto a parchment paper to catch any excess drips from the sugar glaze
13. Allow to cool while you prepare the optional pumpkin compote with the remaining squash
14. Dice the pumpkin/squash to small pieces while you heat a large saute pan with the vegan butter
15. Once the butter is melted, add the diced squash and the sugar and cook stirring occasionally until it is starting to brown
16. Add the spice and stir then add the optional brandy to deglaze the pan
17. Cook to tender, serve with the upside down cake by filling each cavity with pumpkin compote
18. and top with aquafaba marshmallow toasted!
19. Whip the cold liquid aquafaba with the cream of tartar on medium to high speed while you cook the sugar syrup at the same time
20. Combine the water and sugar together in a heavy bottom sauce pot and bring to a boil over high heat.
21. Attach a candy thermometer and cook to 240°F
22. It should take about 10 minutes to reach temperature which is approximately the same time it takes to get the AF to stiff peaks.
23. Slowly pour the hot sugar syrup into the whipping meringue as shown in the video.
24. Once all the sugar syrup is added continue whipping to cool down the meringue and you can help it cool faster by placing a bowl of ice water under the mixer bowl.
25. CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO TUTORIAL FOR HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE!