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Once fall finally arrives in September and October, my focus swiftly goes from gardening to the kitchen. With a main focus being on PUMPKIN!
Pumpkins are a unique and versatile fruit that can be cooked and perfected for various dishes. But today, at the top of the list, I’ve rounded up over 150 easy pumpkin dessert recipes for you! Pumpkin pie, pumpkin cakes, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin bars, pumpkin puddings, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin snickerdoodles, and so much more!
Why should pumpkins be so popular for only making pies or spiced lattes when you can use them for making so many sweet pumpkin desserts?
One of my favorite things about the fall and the holiday season is indulging my sweet tooth with pumpkin-based sweets. Almost nothing is better than a Thanksgiving or Christmas dessert table piled high with decadent pumpkin desserts.
Pumpkin Nutritional Facts
Pumpkin contains vitamins A, B1, B6, and C., copper, fiber, folate, and manganese. Fresh pumpkin also provides calcium, potassium, and magnesium. It’s also an excellent healthy fruit to eat, and it is full of antioxidants that help with eyesight and more. If you would like to learn more about the nutritional benefits of pumpkin, this article Health Benefits of Pumpkin from Nourish by WebMD is great!
Best Pumpkins for Baking and Cooking
When cooking with pumpkin in the kitchen, I like to use my homemade pumpkin puree for all our pumpkin dishes. But if you prefer not to make your own, a storebought puree will work too. Make sure to choose pure puree when you buy it and not pumpkin pie mix. There is a big difference.
But if you’d prefer to make it from scratch, look for small firm orange pumpkins that are free of bruises and scratches. It should feel heavy for its size. Also, please know that a Halloween jack-o-lantern pumpkin will not work.
For cooking, you’ll want to use a sugar pumpkin, which is also called a pie pumpkin or sweet pumpkin.
What Can You Make With Pumpkin?
If we could count them all, there is probably a bazillion different recipes that can be made using a fall pumpkin gourd, from a savory Vegan Thia Pumpkin Soup to a Pumpkin Spice Hummus or even a sweet candied pumpkin spiced syrup as a side dish.
For breakfast, you can have fluffy pumpkin waffles smothered with a warm pumpkin pie buttercream icing or Pumpkin-Ginger Jam and a fun Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice or a delicious Protein-Rich Pumpkin Spice Smoothie to drink. The list can go on and on.
RELATED: 6 Irresistible Pumpkin Muffin Recipes
Some of these pumpkin desserts are healthy, and others are made from scratch with only a few ingredients. Others use a cake mix, and a few are even no-bake desserts. So again, the possibilities continue.
You need these recipes if you are looking for easy pumpkin dessert recipe ideas that are simple to make and to serve at your Thanksgiving or fall dinner parties! But be warned! Once you read through these fall recipes, you will want to make them all! So ask me how I know.
RELATED: 25 Amazing Pumpkin Cake Recipes You’ll Love
What’s The Most Popular Dessert Made With Pumpkin?
Unquestionably, pumpkin pie is the most popular dessert made with pumpkin. Whether the pies are crustless, mini pies, or even cheesecake pies or pumpkin pecan, any homestyle or traditional pumpkin pie is creamy and delicious.
RELATED: 17 Rich and Delicious Pumpkin Pie Recipes You’ll Love
But just because pumpkin pie is said to be the most popular pumpkin dessert recipe doesn’t mean you can’t try your hand at one or two of these 11 pumpkin cheesecake recipes. Quite honestly, cheesecake tends to be my family’s favorite over pie at our holiday meals.
But then close runner-ups would have to be delicious loaves of pumpkin bread, dozens of cookies, or maybe even a delicious hot pumpkin cobbler instead. There are so many options for fall pumpkin desserts from which to choose.
RELATED: 20 Moist & Sweet Pumpkin Bread Recipes
RELATED: 21 Easy and Delicious Pumpkin Cookie Recipes
Easy Pumpkin Dessert Recipes
Whether you use a canned pumpkin or try your hand with a homemade pumpkin puree, pumpkin desserts are yummy, full of flavor, and will make you drool. And if you make your own puree, don’t toss out the seeds; they can be roasted for a healthy snack.
So are you obsessed with these easy pumpkin dessert recipes yet? I know I am, and with the holiday season coming up, these are just in time!
And these Pumpkin Spice Gourmet Marshmallows and Pumpkin Stuffed Dates are no exception.
All holiday events scream for sweet treats, i.e., parties, family gatherings, co-worker parties, and get together with best friends. So it only makes sense to keep a list of easy pumpkin dessert recipes on hand.
Is Mousse Better Than Pudding In Pumpkin Desserts?
The answer to this question will depend on who you ask. I prefer a mousse since it is lighter, but my husband, Jarrett, prefers a pudding. The boys will take either one as long as it’s a sweet pumpkin treat.
After thinking about it, I became curious about the difference between mousse and pudding. So I did some Google surfing and found this great answer from thekichn.com.
But why not you decide for yourself? Try these 11 Pumpkin Pudding Recipes For Fall, including 4 Recipes for Pumpkin Mousse. So you can decide whether you prefer pudding or mousse for yourself.
But if pudding and mousse are not a favorite pumpkin dessert, you can always make this Pumpkin Creme Brulee.
Pumpkin Desserts Recipes The Kids Will Love!
Do you have kids with birthdays in September and October? Or maybe November, and always looking for autumn-themed kid-approved easy pumpkin recipes?
Instead of a bland store-bought yellow cake with buttercream icing from a bakery and ice cream, I’ve gathered these fun fall pumpkin dessert treats to make.
RELATED: 10 Easy Pumpkin Bar Recipes
RELATED: 8 Frozen Pumpkin Ice Cream Recipes
These pumpkin dessert recipes are great for fall birthday parties and perfect for kids to take to school for their Halloween or Thanksgiving parties.
RELATED: 7 Easy Pumpkin Cupcake Recipes for Fall
As mentioned earlier, the ideas are endless if we could count all the recipes made with pumpkin.
There are easy pumpkin dip recipes or fluffy pumpkin dip recipes, and then if you are looking for healthy treats, try these Chocolate Chip Energy Balls as a protein-packed snack.
And since we are having fun with pumpkin treats, we can’t leave out our furry friends. Make your best friend these Oatmeal Pumpkin Dog Treats. Make these and give them to your dog as a healthy Christmas treat.
More Related Pumpkin Posts
Do you love all things pumpkin? I do, and I can’t talk about all these delicious pumpkin recipes without sharing my favorite pumpkin crafts with you. My mind connects the two. Since no dessert table is complete without fall decorations, these fall pumpkin craft ideas will perfectly fit your fall holiday decor.
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Dianne Hadorn is the owner of Hidden Springs Homestead, nestled in the hills of East Tennessee. A Master Gardener and lifelong homesteader, she teaches families how to grow real food, preserve it with confidence, and depend less on the grocery store. Through her practical, down-to-earth approach, Dianne has become a trusted source for beginners who want to build a sustainable lifestyle and fill their pantries with food they’ve grown themselves.