Helen Goh's pumpkin spice loaf with optional icing (omit for dairy-free).William MeppemYou will need to cook the pumpkin (you can roast,microwave or steam it),then mash or puree before proceeding with this recipe. Butternut has a sweet dense flesh which works well here,although the more fibrous varieties are also fine. The cream-cheese icing and pumpkin seeds are optional extras,though they make lovely finishing touches for the cake.