45 Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love
Pumpkin-Praline Layer Cake [1]
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.
Marbled Chocolate-Pumpkin Brownies [5]
Swirl a layer of cream cheese and pumpkin into chocolate batter to create these luscious brownies, and sprinkle walnuts on top for extra crunch.
Pumpkin Bread [9]
At Burchell's White Hill Farmhouse Inn in Minden, Nebraska, Bob and Linda Ard make this moist spiced bread using homegrown heirloom pumpkins, but this version of their recipe uses canned puree.
Pumpkin Bread [10]
Pumpkin-Pecan Tassies [13]
These tiny pies, baked in a muffin tin, showcase the flavors of pumpkin and pecans in a one- or two-bite dessert.
Chocolate Pumpkin Cake [17]
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 [18]).
Spiced Pumpkin Bisque [23]
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.
Paradise Pumpkin Pie [27]
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.
Paradise Pumpkin Pie [28]
Pumpkin Spice Whoopies [31]
A spiced marshmallow filling is sandwiched between cakelike pumpkin cookies in this easy-to-make dessert.
Chocolate-Glazed Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake [35]
Cream cheese, pumpkin, dark chocolate, whipping cream ... this fall pumpkin dessert is pure decadence!
Pumpkin, Chickpea & Red Lentil Stew [39]
This hearty soup boasts a bounty of veggies and seasonings, including pumpkin or squash, fresh ginger, lime juice, cumin and fresh cilantro.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Sandwich Cake [43]
A cream cheese layer and rich chocolate frosting make this pumpkin cake a crowd-pleaser.
Pumpkin Fudge [47]
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.
Pumpkin Fudge [48]
Pumpkin Chiffon Pie [51]
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.
Pumpkin Chiffon Pie [52]
Sour Cream Pumpkin Bars [55]
Browned Butter Frosting tops moist Sour Cream Pumpkin Bars, a favorite fall recipe.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with Chocolate Topping [59]
Cream cheese, oatmeal cookie mix, pumpkin and semisweet chocolate combine for a sensational seasonal treat.
Double-Flavored Muffins [63]
Pumpkin and chocolate blend beautifully in these spiced muffins from Thorp House Inn of Fish Creek, Wisconsin. Cinnamon, mace, nutmeg and cloves flavor the batter.
Pumpkin pie variations [67]
Mommy's Pumpkin Pie: "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 (bottom pie in photo).
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie: Cream cheese strudel inspired Peter Sterk, owner of Just Pies in Westerville, Ohio, to build a pumpkin pie with a surprise cream cheese layer (top pie in photo). For the creamiest pumpkin pie, don't overbake.
Mommy's Pumpkin Pie [68]
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pumpkin Cookies [72]
These cakelike pumpkin drop cookies are delicious by themselves, but even better topped with a simple brown sugar frosting.
Pumpkin Cheesecake with a Caramel Swirl [76]
This fall dessert comes from Mooselips Java Joint in Seeley, Wisconsin. It's creamy, cool and not overpowered by the pumpkin or the spice.
Cornmeal Pumpkin Cake with Dried Fruit Compote [80]
Riesling-poached fruit and billowy whipped cream crown a dense spice cake inspired by ingredients from the first Thanksgiving.
Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie [84]
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.
Sunflower Pumpkin Muffins [88]
Hailing as they do from the Sunflower State, Kansas cooks have a knack for creatively including crunchy sunflower seed kernels in all sorts of treats. These tender pumpkin morsels are from the American Institute of Baking in Manhattan, Kansas. The muffins get a double dose of sunflower from both sunflower oil and the seeds.
Pumpkin-Chocolate Cheesecake Bars [92]
This make-ahead bar cookie offers an irresistible stack of flavors: sweet graham cracker crust, rich chocolaty cheesecake, spicy pumpkin cheesecake and a topping of sour cream.
Toffee-Pumpkin Pie Bars [96]
Love sweet and salty combos? You'll fall for these bars with sweet toffee, toasted pecans and a spiced Ginger Crumb Crust.
Pumpkin-Praline Muffins [100]
Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and pumpkin lend great fall flavor to these grab-and-go muffins.
Pumpkin-Praline Muffins [101]
Pumpkin-Bourbon Pudding [104]
This baked pudding features pumpkin, raisins and bourbon. Serve it in individual dishes for company or in one casserole for your family.
Pumpkin-Bourbon Pudding [105]
Apple Pumpkin Sunflower Bread [108]
We packed a bushel of fall into this homey loaf: pumpkin, apple, nuts and spices.
Pumpkin Chili [112]
This recipe, submitted by Melanie Madore of Ashland, Missouri, was a finalist in our recipe contest. Unlike many pumpkin chilis, what sets this one apart is using cubed pumpkin (or butternut squash) rather than canned.
Pumpkin Chili [113]
Easy Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes [116]
You decide how easy you want these to be! We're partial to our homemade Pumpkin Cupcakes with Sweetened Whipped Cream Frosting, but you can substitute purchased plain cupcakes or purchased whipped white frosting to make this recipe even simpler.
Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake [120]
The famous St. Louis dessert gets a makeover from Emily Hobbs of Springfield, Missouri. She adds pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice to the moist cake. The recipe was one of the finalists at Midwest Living's first Best of the Midwest cook-off.
Pumpkin Spice Crème Brûlée [124]
This creamy, rich dessert comes from Courtright's Restaurant in Willow Springs, Illinois. Although the restaurant puts a solid crust of caramelized sugar on its crème brûlée, we made it easier for you and drizzled it on.
Apple Bagel Sandwiches with Pumpkin Cream Cheese [128]
We created this sandwich to celebrate Illinois, which grows 80 percent of the pumpkins processed in the United States. The apple bagel sandwiches are a good option for tailgating events, or try them as a meatless sandwich any time of day. We also like the added crunch of the nuts.
Apple Bagel Sandwiches with Pumpkin Cream Cheese recipe [129]
Pumpkin Trifle [132]
Pumpkin Trifle makes a spectacular ending to a meal. Packaged ingredients, such as canned pumpkin, frozen pound cake, canned cranberry sauce, candy bars and instant pudding mix, help speed prep time.
Pumpkin Trifle [133]
Streusel-Topped Pumpkin Muffins [136]
For Streusel-Topped Pumpkin Muffins, we took the classic pumpkin bread and added dried fruit, lemon zest and spices, along with a sprinkling of a crunchy sugar topping.
Pumpkin Corn Chowder [140]
This thick chowder blends corn, pumpkin and chunks of sweet potato.
Pumpkin Corn Chowder [141]
Pumpkin cookies [144]
A hint of pumpkin adds color and flavor to festive Autumn Cutouts (pictured).
More fall faves: Spicy Pumpkin Cookies have a brown-sugar glaze on cakelike cookies. Pumpkin Doodle Doo Cookies will remind you off cinnamony-sweet snickerdoodles.
Autumn Cutouts [145]
Spicy Pumpkin Cookies [146]
Pumpkin Pie Cake [150]
Sprinkle moist pumpkin filling with a cake mix topping for a quick and easy cake. The recipe is from Farmer's Inn in Havana, North Dakota.
Pumpkin Pie Cake [151]
Pumpkin Chess Pie [154]
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.
Pumpkin Chess Pie [155]
Gingered Pumpkin Soup [158]
Maple syrup adds sweetness to Gingered Pumpkin Soup, which makes a creamy side dish or appetizer.
Gingered Pumpkin Soup [159]
Pumpkin-Banana Bread [162]
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."
Pumpkin-Banana Bread [163]
Pumpkin Scones and Pancakes [166]
Pumpkin blends with spices such as ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves in these scones (left) from Cafe Latte at Victoria Crossing in Saint Paul. The moist scone complements a dinnertime feast as well as breakfast.
For a different twist on pumpkin at breakfast, try our Spiced Pumpkin Pancakes. They're good with honey butter and nuts or with traditional maple syrup.
Pumpkin-Gingersnap Pie [171]
Crushed gingersnap cookies and pumpkin-pie spice add zip to the filling of this creamy pie. It's an Amish recipe served at special occasions.
Pumpkin-Gingersnap Pie [172]
Seasons Eatings Pumpkin Soup [175]
Sprinkles of salty ham cracklings top this soup from Big Cedar Lodge near Branson, Missouri.
Spiced Pumpkin Bread Pudding [179]
Mixed spiced pumpkin into bread pudding for a new twist on this comfort food.
Pumpkin Parsnip Bisque with Hazelnut Toasts [183]
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.