Pumpkin recipes that are perfect in every way | CNN (2024)

Pumpkin recipes that are perfect in every way | CNN (1)

It just wouldn’t be fall without pumpkin everything! From sweet treats like cake and waffles to savory dishes like pasta and soup—you’ll find plenty of pumpkin in these seasonal recipes.

Like so many other people, when the weather starts to cool down our cravings center around one, special ingredient: pumpkin. Webuy all the pumpkin spice productswe can get our hands on, bake a fewlatte-inspired treats,roast pumpkin seedsfor snacking—and generally do our best to use this sweet and hearty gourd in as many recipes as possible. (We’ve even thought aboutgrowing pumpkinsat home!) Not surprisingly, this seasonal ingredient is good for so much more than justpumpkin pieorpumpkin bread, although we’ll gladly bake either of those, too. Use it in soups, pasta dishes, cakes and more—there’s almost nothing pumpkin can’t do.

It even makes the perfect thickener for homemade custard, which is why we use it here in this warm, pie-spicedautumn dessert (pictured at top).

Get the Recipe:Pumpkin Caramel Bread Pudding

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Pumpkin recipes that are perfect in every way | CNN (2)

Creamy pumpkin and warm ground cinnamon are the perfect combination in a tender muffin. But we upped the ante by adding a decadent cream cheese filling and sweet crumb topping for an over-the-top muffin you’ll want to make all season long.

Get the Recipe:Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Pumpkin Lasagna Rolls

Pumpkin recipes that are perfect in every way | CNN (3)

It’s pretty much impossible to get enough pumpkin during the fall months, so we rolled each of these lasagna noodles with a creamy, cheesy pumpkin filling. The result: roll-ups that have just the right amount of filling and they come together in a fraction of the time it takes for a traditional layered lasagna. This dish is perfect for a cozy fall night when the comfort food cravings come on strong.

Get the Recipe:Pumpkin Lasagna Rolls

Brown Sugar Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Seeds

We double up the pumpkin flavor by using everyone’s favorite seasonal spice blend. A touch of brown sugar makes them into a sweet treat.

Get the Recipe:Brown Sugar Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Seeds

Cheesecake-Stuffed Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin recipes that are perfect in every way | CNN (5)

Everyone’s favorite fall quick bread hides a decadent surprise inside: a rich swirl of cheesecake.

Get the Recipe:Cheesecake-Stuffed Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Pancakes with Maple Syrup and Nutmeg Whipped Cream

Pumpkin recipes that are perfect in every way | CNN (6)

The fragrance of warm spices fills the room when you make these creamy fall-inspired pancakes. A dollop of nutmeg whipped cream and a drizzle of maple syrup complete the dish.

Get the Recipe:Pumpkin Pancakes with Maple Syrup and Nutmeg Whipped Cream

Pumpkin Ravioli

Pumpkin recipes that are perfect in every way | CNN (7)

These delicious ravioli have pumpkin through and through: Our easy homemade pasta features pumpkin purée. It’s cut out in the shape of pumpkins with a cookie cutter and then stuffed with a pumpkin and crème fraîche filling. Tossed with a nutty brown butter–sage sauce, they are autumn in a bowl.

Get the Recipe:Pumpkin Ravioli

Pumpkin Swirl Cookies

Pumpkin recipes that are perfect in every way | CNN (8)

Break open these oversized cookies, fragrant with pumpkin and spice, to reveal a soft interior with a beautiful swirl.

Get the Recipe:Pumpkin Swirl Cookies

Pumpkin-Hard Cider Cheese Dip

Pumpkin recipes that are perfect in every way | CNN (9)

Tangy with a hint of sweetness and full-on cheesy flavor, this pumpkin-hard cider dip has everything you could ask for in a fall-flavored cheese dip.

Get the Recipe:Pumpkin-Hard Cider Cheese Dip

Pumpkin-Shaped Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin recipes that are perfect in every way | CNN (10)

This yeasted bread, made with pumpkin puree, brown sugar and a hint of cinnamon, is sure to become a fall favorite. Thanks to a few cleverly-placed pieces of kitchen twine that shape the dough as it rises, the resulting loaf looks just like a pumpkin—complete with a fragrant cinnamon-stick stem. Serve it with maple-spiced pumpkin butter.

Get the Recipe:Pumpkin-Shaped Pumpkin Bread

2-Ingredient Pumpkin Frosting

Pumpkin recipes that are perfect in every way | CNN (11)

This frosting is one of those brilliant, silly-simple recipes you’d never know was made with just two ingredients: canned pumpkin puree and chopped up chocolate. You start by cooking the pumpkin to concentrate its flavor and thicken it, then simply stir in the chocolate until it melts. The sweet and tangy results are the perfect complement to cake, and the creamy consistency spreads easily into gorgeous swoops.

Get the Recipe:2-Ingredient Pumpkin Frosting

Paleo Pumpkin Waffles

Pumpkin recipes that are perfect in every way | CNN (12)

Satisfy your paleo cravings with these wholesome waffles, naturally sweetened with pumpkin puree and a quick raspberry compote.

Get the Recipe:Paleo Pumpkin Waffles

Pumpkin Roulade with Ginger Buttercream

Pumpkin recipes that are perfect in every way | CNN (13)

Perfect for making ahead of ahead of time, this autumn-inspired roll cake features a pumpkin cake base with a filling of mascarpone whipped cream and crystallized ginger bits. In the words of Ina herself, “It’s a showstopper dessert, and you can be cool and relaxed when you serve it.”

Get the Recipe:Pumpkin Roulade with Ginger Buttercream

Baked Pumpkin Doughnuts

Pumpkin recipes that are perfect in every way | CNN (14)

Get your fill of pumpkin pie — in a doughnut! These cake-like doughnuts can be baked, topped with cinnamon sugar and ready to eat in an hour.

Get the Recipe:Baked Pumpkin Doughnuts

Baked Pumpkin Rice Pudding

Pumpkin recipes that are perfect in every way | CNN (15)

Serve individual portions of rice pudding in baked sugar pumpkin bowls. Instant rice is sweetened with evaporated milk, molasses, vanilla, cinnamon and brown sugar.

Get the Recipe:Baked Pumpkin Rice Pudding

Pumpkin Rum Cake

Pumpkin recipes that are perfect in every way | CNN (16)

Ree soaks her pumpkin cake in a spiced rum syrup and adds maple whipped cream for a deliciously indulgent dessert.

Get the Recipe:Pumpkin Rum Cake

Valerie’s Pumpkin Pudding

Pumpkin recipes that are perfect in every way | CNN (17)

Whip up an easy yet satisfying pumpkin pie flavored-dessert in just 25 minutes with Valerie’s recipe.

Get the Recipe:Valerie’s Pumpkin Pudding (for Wolfie)

Pumpkin recipes that are perfect in every way | CNN (2024)

FAQs

What makes pumpkin taste better? ›

For even more flavor, you can add spices (like the celebrated pumpkin pie spice!) to the purée during the cooking step. Heating spices “blooms” them, releasing their flavorful, fragrant oils.

What is the best way to cook pumpkin? ›

For a 2-3 pound sugar pumpkin (also called a pie pumpkin), we like to bake it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176 Celsius) for 45-50 minutes. You'll know it's done when the skin is tender when pierced with a fork. Let the pumpkin cool slightly before handling.

What is the healthiest way to eat pumpkin? ›

Pureed, baked or roasted pumpkin is a nutrient-dense food that is low in calories and fat while being high in fiber, helping you feel full for longer.

Is pumpkin good for hormones? ›

Balances hormone levels

Pumpkin contains zinc, which can be a vital mineral for helping treat hormonal acne. (4) Zinc can help keep hormone levels under control, and level out oil production.

What not to do with pumpkin? ›

In fact, pumpkin flesh can be extremely dangerous to hedgehogs causing them to be severely ill just as they get ready to go into hibernation. Additionally, some pumpkins that could have been painted or have small plastic decorations added will be toxic and harmful to wildlife and not good for the environment.

What spices enhance 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 A pumpkin A Vegetable or a fruit? ›

Answer. A pumpkin, from a botanist's perspective, is a fruit because it's a product of the seed-bearing structure of flowering plants. Vegetables, on the other hand, are the edible portion of plants such as leaves, stems, roots, bullbs, flowers, and tubers.

How long should pumpkin cook? ›

Roast at 350ºF until tender, about 45 minutes. A fork should easily piece through the shell, and it should look visibly darker in color. Let the pumpkin cool until you can handle it, then scoop out the tender insides and puree in a food processor until smooth.

Can dogs eat pumpkin? ›

Yes, dogs can eat pumpkin and it is actually often added to dog foods. Check the label of some dog treats and you may find pumpkin on the ingredient list there too. However, if you are feeding fresh pumpkin, you will need to be careful about which part you're feeding as the stem and leaves are covered in prickly hairs.

Is pumpkin good for dogs? ›

Due to its high soluble fiber content, pumpkin is very good for your dog's digestion. If you feed your dog some pumpkin, it will add bulk to their stool. This helps reduce issues with diarrhea. In addition, fermentation of the same fiber produces beneficial fatty acids that supply energy to cells.

What does pumpkin do to your gut? ›

And pumpkins are also great for our gut: They are full of fibre, which helps to form stools, keep us regular and feed our gut bacteria. Potassium supports normal cell function throughout the body and low levels may lead to constipation and fatigue.

Is pumpkin a carb or protein? ›

Pumpkin is a starchy vegetable, providing carbohydrate and the energy needed to fuel our body. As pumpkin is also rich in fibre, it keeps you feeling full for longer and reduces your urge to snack between meals. The high fibre content further promotes more regular bowel movements.

What part of the pumpkin is not edible? ›

Which part of the pumpkin can I eat? You can eat all of the pumpkin - except for its stalk. Whether you can eat the skin or not depends on the variety. Smaller varieties such as onion squash have deliciously edible skin, the skin of larger varieties may be too tough to eat or less than appealing.

What are 5 ways pumpkins can be used? ›

Five ways to use your pumpkin after Halloween
  • Roasted pumpkin seeds. Use the part of a pumpkin that most would throw away and make roasted pumpkin seeds. ...
  • Pumpkin pie. Pumpkin pie is a traditional American favourite. ...
  • Stuffed pumpkin. ...
  • Pumpkin soup. ...
  • Pumpkin cake.

Are all pumpkins edible? ›

While all pumpkins are edible, some are great as food, and some are better suited for other purposes. The jack-o'-lantern pumpkin is a great example.

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