Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (2024)

Enjoy the rich taste of pumpkin in pies, cakes, soups, cupcakes, bar cookies, cheesecakes and more.

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Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Bars

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (1)

Sure, you've seen this combo before. But not done this well. This recipe doesn't use a whole can of pumpkin, so add leftovers to a smoothie, a pot of chili, hot oatmeal or even hummus.

Our Best Bar Cookies

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Pumpkin-Spice Icebox Cake

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (2)

Like the chocolate-and-vanilla retro classic, this gingery icebox cake requires some make-ahead assembly—but no baking. And it's absolutely drool-worthy.

Video—How To Make Pumpkin-Spice Icebox Cake

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Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (3)

Cream cheese strudel inspired the owner of Just Pies in Westerville, Ohio, to build a pumpkin pie with a surprise cream cheese layer. For the creamiest pumpkin pie, don't overbake.

Perfect Pumpkin Pies

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Pumpkin-Praline Layer Cake

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (4)

This nutty layer cake is a favorite dessert with Midwest Living readers. Whipped cream topping complements a moist filling of pumpkin, brown sugar, pecans, butter and more whipping cream.

Ultimate Cake Recipes

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Hazelnut Pumpkin Cheesecake

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (5)

Trot this one out at the holidays and watch those pies quake in their aluminum plates. Gingersnaps in the base and tangy sour cream topping balance the pumpkin-spice sweetness.

Rich and Creamy Cheesecakes

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Maple Pumpkin Pie with Salted Pecan Brittle

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (6)

The combination of maple and pumpkin flavors make a second slice of this pie hard to resist. Prepare the pecan brittle up to a week ahead, then sprinkle on just before serving.

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Bourbon-Spiked Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (7)

Rather than cube the bread, we made sandwiches, layering cinnamon-raisin swirl bread with a creamy pumpkin filling. Serve with a generous drizzle of boozy cheaters' caramel sauce.

Decadent Bread Pudding Recipes

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Pumpkin Bread with a Chocolate-Pepita Swirl

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (8)

With its ripple of chocolate, cinnamon and toasted pumpkin seeds (and browned butter in the batter!), this pumpkin bread is an indulgent afternoon treat.

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Marbled Chocolate-Pumpkin Brownies

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (9)

Swirl a layer of cream cheese and pumpkin into chocolate batter to create these luscious brownies, and sprinkle walnuts on top for extra crunch.

Rich, Moist Brownie Recipes

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Pumpkin-Pecan Tassies

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (10)

These tiny pies, baked in a muffin tin, showcase the flavors of pumpkin and pecans in a one- or two-bite dessert.

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Chocolate Pumpkin Cake

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (11)

This utterly unforgettable autumn cake layers moist chocolate-pumpkin cake, luscious milk chocolate ganache and fluffy pumpkin-spice whipped cream. The recipe comes from Minnesota blogger Amanda Rettke (iambaker.net). See a short video about how to make this cake.

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Mommy's Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (12)

"This recipe is adapted from my mother's classic pumpkin pie," says Linda Hundt, owner of Sweetielicious Bakery Cafe in DeWitt, Michigan. "I added cream to make it a bit richer and orange zest for flavor." The result is a dark mahogany pumpkin pie with ginger-cinnamon-clove spiciness.

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Spiced Pumpkin Bisque

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (13)

The Inn at Irish Hollow in Galena, Illinois, serves this creamy, curried soup throughout the fall and winter. You can make your own crème fraîche for the garnish, or use purchased crème fraiche or sour cream.

Simmering Soups and Stews

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Pumpkin Spice Whoopies

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (14)

A spiced marshmallow filling is sandwiched between cakelike pumpkin cookies in this easy-to-make dessert.

Quick and Easy Dessert Recipes

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Pumpkin Fudge

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (15)

Set this pretty golden fudge on a plate with traditional chocolate fudge and a white fudge for an appealing array of colors. The recipe is from a Cherokee, Iowa, reader and was a winner at the Clay County Fair.

Fabulous Fudge Recipes

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Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (16)

The innkeepers at Burchell's White Hill Farmhouse Inn in Minden, Nebraska, make this moist spiced bread using homegrown heirloom pumpkins, but this version of their recipe uses canned puree.

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Aint Sug's Punkin' Puddin'

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (17)

Baked in a casserole dish, this unusual dessert channels the spirit of marshmallow-topped sweet potato, with the added spice of pumpkin pie. This recipe comes from Patty Pinner's cookbook Sweets (Crown Publishing).

Soul Food Desserts

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Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (18)

A spiced filling, made from whipped cream, creates a lighter-tasting version of traditional pumpkin pie. The gingersnap crust adds more kick than classic crusts.

Favorite Holiday Pie Recipes

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Chocolate-Glazed Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (19)

Cream cheese, pumpkin, dark chocolate, whipping cream ... this pumpkin dessert is pure decadence!

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Pumpkin-Banana Bread

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (20)

Lisa Johnson of Gardner, Kansas, added banana to pumpkin bread for a new twist on quick bread treats. "This pumpkin bread is a favorite with our family," she says. "It's easy to make, and my two girls enjoy helping me. They especially enjoy it when it's done baking. It makes the house smell wonderful."

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Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with Chocolate Topping

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (21)

Cream cheese, oatmeal cookie mix, pumpkin and semisweet chocolate combine for a sensational seasonal treat.

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Paradise Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (22)

A cheesecake layer and nut topping help this pumpkin pie stand out from its peers. This recipe was a winner at the Morton, Illinois, Pumpkin Festival baking competition.

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Pumpkin Cheesecake with a Caramel Swirl

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (23)

This dessert comes from a Hayward, Wisconsin, cafe. It's creamy, cool and not overpowered by the pumpkin or the spice.

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Apple Pumpkin Sunflower Bread

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (24)

We packed a bushel of fall into this homey loaf: pumpkin, apple, nuts and spices.

Recipes for Sweet Quick Bread Loaves

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Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (25)

The classic pumpkin pie gets even better with the addition of apple butter, which gives extra sweetness and a slightly softer texture to the dessert. A streusel topping adds a bit of crunch.

Favorite Apple Pie Recipes

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Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pumpkin Cookies

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (26)

These cakelike pumpkin drop cookies are delicious by themselves, but even better topped with a simple brown sugar frosting.

Easy Drop Cookies

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Pumpkin Parsnip Bisque with Hazelnut Toasts

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (27)

Puree wintry vegetables like potato, leek and parsnip into a velvety soup. Don't skip the crisp, buttery dippers. They're delicious dunked in the soup.

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Toffee-Pumpkin Pie Bars

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (28)

Love sweet and salty combos? You'll fall for these bars with sweet toffee, toasted pecans and a spiced Ginger Crumb Crust.

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Spiced Pumpkin Dip

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (29)

Satisfy your sweet-salty afternoon cravings with this nutrient-packed dip, made with canned pumpkin, white beans and maple syrup. It's fab with honey-wheat pretzel twists, and very kid-friendly.

Easy Dip Recipes

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Pumpkin, Chickpea & Red Lentil Stew

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (30)

This hearty soup boasts a bounty of veggies and seasonings, including pumpkin or squash, fresh ginger, lime juice, cumin and fresh cilantro.

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Pumpkin Cake Roll

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (31)

Our "twist" on the pumpkin craze. Nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon add even more flavor.

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Pumpkin-Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Pecan Streusel

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (32)

Pumpkin, cranberries and brown sugar swirl through a tender, moist coffee cake with a golden pecan topper.

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Pumpkin Cream Cheese Sandwich Cake

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (33)

A cream cheese layer and rich chocolate frosting make this pumpkin cake a crowd-pleaser.

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Pumpkin Chess Pie

Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (34)

The bakers at Wick's Pies in Winchester, Indiana, crossed chess pie with pumpkin pie, adding more eggs, more spices and a little cornmeal to their pumpkin recipe. The result: a pie with a more intense pumpkin and spice flavor, and a slightly thicker filling.

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Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love (2024)

FAQs

Does canned pumpkin need to be cooked before eating? ›

Canned pumpkin does not need to be cooked before eating. It is perfectly safe eaten in it's puree form out of the can, in fact it's used straight from the can in a lot of recipes that aren't cooked. It's also safe to give to your dog right out of the can too to help with digestive issues.

What flavor pairs best with pumpkin? ›

To complement pumpkin with sweet flavor pairings, consider using spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and vanilla, or sweet ingredients like chocolate, maple, honey, cranberries or brown sugar. Create savory dishes by pairing pumpkin with spices like chilies, cajun, cayenne or pepper.

What spice is good on pumpkin? ›

Pumpkin is notorious for pairing well with warm winter spices – as found in a variety of Moroccan-inspired cuisines. Try incorporating cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cumin and chilli with your pumpkin dishes for flavour-packed feasts.

Is there real pumpkin in a Starbucks pumpkin spice latte? ›

PSL gets its nickname from the three-letter beverage code originally written on cups by baristas. Since 2015, PSL's pumpkin sauce has included real pumpkin puree, made from little kabocha pumpkins. In 20 years, hundreds of millions of Pumpkin Spice Lattes have been served.

How to make canned pumpkin taste good? ›

5 Easy Ways to Make Canned Pumpkin Taste Better
  1. Cook It on the Stove. Why It Works. Briefly cooking your canned pumpkin purée on the stove can help improve both the flavor and texture. ...
  2. (Briefly) Roast It. Why It Works. ...
  3. Add a DIY Spice Mix. Why It Works. ...
  4. Infuse It With Flavor. Why It Works. ...
  5. Use Quality Ingredients. How It Works.
Oct 13, 2020

Is canned pumpkin good for your stomach? ›

Pumpkin is rich in fiber and contains prebiotics, which can help improve digestive system health and bowel movement. It may help relieve constipation and diarrhea in some people. However, if constipation or diarrhea persists, a person should consult a doctor.

What meat goes best with pumpkin? ›

Fresh or canned pumpkin would taste good with meat proteins.
  1. Beef.
  2. Shrimp.
  3. Pork chops.
  4. Lobster.
  5. Crab.
  6. Chicken breast.
  7. Rabbit.
  8. Turkey (turkey legs)
Jun 17, 2022

What is the most delicious pumpkin? ›

For cooking, you'll want to use sugar pumpkins (also called pie or sweet pumpkins), which are small and round. Long Island Cheese pumpkins, which are more oblong and can look like a wheel of cheese, are also good to eat. Field pumpkin types are larger, have watery, stringy flesh, and are best for decorating.

What brings out pumpkin flavor? ›

Pumpkin spice (a.k.a. pumpkin pie spice) is an aromatic blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Sometimes allspice is included. You can buy the spice blend at the store or use ingredients you already have on hand to make DIY pumpkin spice.

Does pumpkin have any health benefits? ›

Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, pumpkin is incredibly healthy. What's more, its low calorie content makes it a weight-loss-friendly food. Its nutrients and antioxidants may boost your immune system, protect your eyesight, lower your risk of certain cancers and promote heart and skin health.

Is pumpkin good for brain? ›

Pumpkin is rich in magnesium, which is a mineral that has been shown to reduce stress levels. Magnesium can help to relax the muscles and nerves, and improve brain function. Antioxidants can help to protect the brain against damage caused by free radicals and inflammation. So there you have it!

What is the 20 years of pumpkin spice? ›

How did the PSL become shorthand for whiteness? : It's Been a Minute It's been 20 years since Starbucks debuted the first pumpkin spice latte in 2003. Since then, it's become a cultural phenomenon greater than itself: it's shorthand for fall, for basicness, for femininity, and even for white culture.

Why does the Pumpkin Spice Latte taste different? ›

According to her, the company's pumpkin spice drinks taste different for two reasons—the syrup now contains "real pumpkin ingredient" and the syrup bottles' pumps have changed. "Apparently it's not the same, like, full pumps, so you're getting technically less [syrup]," Maria said.

What is the Pumpkin Spice Latte called? ›

Many Pumpkin Spice Latte fans will know that it's lovingly referred to as the PSL. Not only is it easier to say, but it's also the three-letter beverage code written on cups by baristas, so it's a subtle nod to Starbucks' coffee culture.

Can you eat uncooked pumpkin puree? ›

You can eat pumpkin raw and add it to salads and smoothies, but thoroughly wash it before eating it to remove bacteria that may make you sick.

Is canned pumpkin already pureed? ›

First and foremost: what is pumpkin puree? Canned pumpkin and pumpkin puree are the same thing. These terms are often used interchangeably in recipes, though you may also see the term solid-pack pumpkin. All these terms mean 100% steamed and pureed pumpkin—no extras, no add-ins—not even in the canned variety.

Is canned pumpkin always puree? ›

There isn't much of a difference between canned pumpkin and fresh pumpkin puree, and looking at the list of ingredients on the back of the can will tell you that. It will probably just say pureed pumpkin or steamed pumpkin puree.

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