45 Pumpkin Recipes We Absolutely Love

By The editors of MidwestLiving.com
Updated August 17, 2020

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

Start Slideshow

1 of 43

Pumpkin-Spice Icebox Cake

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 43

Maple Pumpkin Pie with Salted Pecan Brittle

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

3 of 43

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

Advertisement

4 of 43

Pumpkin-Praline Layer Cake

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

5 of 43

Bourbon-Spiked Pumpkin Bread Pudding

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

6 of 43

Marbled Chocolate-Pumpkin Brownies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 43

Pumpkin Bread

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

8 of 43

Pumpkin-Pecan Tassies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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

9 of 43

Chocolate Pumpkin Cake

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 43

Mommy's Pumpkin Pie

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

"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.

11 of 43

Spiced Pumpkin Bisque

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

12 of 43

Pumpkin Spice Whoopies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 43

Chocolate-Glazed Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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

14 of 43

Pumpkin, Chickpea & Red Lentil Stew

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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

15 of 43

Pumpkin Fudge

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 43

Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

17 of 43

Sour Cream Pumpkin Bars

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Browned Butter Frosting tops moist Sour Cream Pumpkin Bars, a favorite fall recipe.

18 of 43

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with Chocolate Topping

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 43

Double-Flavored Muffins

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

20 of 43

Paradise Pumpkin Pie

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

21 of 43

Pumpkin Cheesecake with a Caramel Swirl

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This fall dessert comes from Mooselips Java Joint in Seeley, Wisconsin. It's creamy, cool and not overpowered by the pumpkin or the spice.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 43

Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

23 of 43

Sunflower Pumpkin Muffins

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

24 of 43

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pumpkin Cookies

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 43

Apple Pumpkin Sunflower Bread

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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

26 of 43

Pumpkin Chili

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This recipe, submitted by Melanie Madore of Ashland, Missouri, was a finalist in a Midwest Living recipe contest. It calls for using cubed pumpkin (or butternut squash) rather than canned.

27 of 43

Easy Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 43

Aint Sug’s Punkin’ Puddin’

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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).

29 of 43

Streusel-Topped Pumpkin Muffins

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

30 of 43

Pumpkin Corn Chowder

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This thick chowder blends corn, pumpkin and chunks of sweet potato.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

31 of 43

Pumpkin Chess Pie

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

32 of 43

Gingered Pumpkin Soup

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Maple syrup adds sweetness to Gingered Pumpkin Soup, which makes a creamy side dish or appetizer.

33 of 43

Pumpkin-Banana Bread

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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."

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

34 of 43

Pumpkin Parsnip Bisque with Hazelnut Toasts

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

35 of 43

Pumpkin Pie Cake

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

36 of 43

Spiced Pumpkin Dip

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

37 of 43

Pumpkin Cake Roll

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

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