13 Perfect Pumpkin Recipes

Greet fall with a kitchen full of pumpkin spice! Whether you’re making breakfast for the family or treats for a gathering, these 13 Perfect Pumpkin Recipes are tested and perfected so you can find pumpkin success all season long.

 

Meggan’s notes

Once fall rolls around, society comes together to celebrate the taste, scent, the very idea of pumpkin. Pumpkins are everywhere and in everything, from candles to coffee and every baked good on the shelf.

Pumpkin pie and pumpkin muffins are classics, but don’t miss out on pumpkin pancakes for breakfast, pumpkin soup for dinner, and pumpkin cookies for dessert. Need an on-the-go snack with a little something sweet? Try my pumpkin smoothie sweetened with maple syrup.

The best part? I have personally developed every pumpkin recipe in this list. I’ve anticipated your questions and provided tips and tricks whenever possible. As a classically-trained chef, my goal is for you to find success in the kitchen each and every time, no matter what recipe you’re making.

I’ve also included my best tutorials on making pumpkin purée, roasting pumpkin seeds, and making all the components that go into popular pumpkin recipes like pie crust, graham cracker crust, whipped cream, pumpkin pie spice, and more.

Most Popular Pumpkin Recipes

1. Pumpkin Bread

Inspired by a certain popular coffee brand, this Pumpkin Bread recipe is easy to make and extra moist. It’s packed with pumpkin spice, topped with a powdered sugar glaze, and sprinkled with crunchy pepitas.

2. Pumpkin Pancakes

If you are looking for Pumpkin Pancakes that remind you of pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, and all your other favorite pumpkin treats, look no further. I made this recipe repeatedly until it hit just right, exactly like pumpkin bread in pancake form.

3. Pumpkin Soup

This easy, creamy classic Pumpkin Soup recipe is perfect for fall. It’s comforting and delicious with sweet pumpkin flavor and warm, savory spices. It’s also quick to make thanks to a can of pumpkin purée.

4. Pumpkin Smoothie

This simple Pumpkin Smoothie has all your favorite fall flavors blended together for a quick and delicious breakfast or snack idea. It’s made with real pumpkin, pure maple syrup, and Greek yogurt or your favorite protein powder.

Favorite Pumpkin Pie Recipes

5. Best Pumpkin Pie

This recipe starts with a store-bought crust, but should you have the time and desire to make the crust from scratch, please do. The simple filling is based on Libby’s famous pumpkin pie recipe and is mostly pantry ingredients. Just whisk it all together in a bowl, add to the crust, and bake!

6. No Bake Pumpkin Pie

This No Bake Pumpkin Pie is firm, sliceable, and indistinguishable from a classic pumpkin pie. It’s made with just 6 ingredients, no baking required, and is easily made ahead of time. And it took me 8 tries to get it right!

7. Make Ahead Pumpkin Pie

A Make Ahead Pumpkin Pie solves all your Thanksgiving problems, especially if one of those problems is oven space. It can be made as early as two weeks before the feast and frozen. Chock full of autumn spices and sweetened with maple syrup, it just might become your new favorite make-ahead dessert. 

8. Mini Pumpkin Pies

Tiny and irresistible, Mini Pumpkin Pies come in handy for smaller gatherings or sharing with friends and family. They’re easy, creamy, and perfectly spiced, just smaller and cuter.

More Pumpkin Desserts

9. Pumpkin Cheesecake

My best Pumpkin Cheesecake features a graham cracker crust topped with a rich, creamy, and warmly-spiced cheesecake filling. Master how to make cheesecake from scratch for Thanksgiving (or any day).

10. Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

These easy Pumpkin Bars are moist, delicious, and loaded with cream cheese frosting. They are perfectly spiced without being too sweet.

11. Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Butter Frosting

These easy pumpkin cookies are made with pumpkin puree (fresh or canned), pumpkin spice, and a delicious brown butter frosting.

12. Pumpkin Muffins

Just-like-Mom-made homemade Pumpkin Muffins are a delightful fall baking recipe that’s destined to become a tradition in your family, too. Learn how to make Pumpkin Muffins from scratch, then discover how to turn this easy breakfast recipe into dessert!

13. No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

This No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake is the perfect make-ahead holiday dessert. It’s firm, creamy, and easy to slice without ever firing up your oven.

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Tutorials for Pumpkin Recipes

Working with Fruits and Vegetables

Fresh Pumpkin Purée

Nut and Seed Recipes

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Baking Basics

How to Make a Pie Crust

Baking Basics

How to Make a Graham Cracker Crust

Baking Basics

Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe

Frosting, Sauce, and Pudding Recipes

Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

Baking Basics

Cinnamon Sugar Topping

Spice Blend Recipes

Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe

Baking Basics

How to Make Vanilla Extract

Nut and Seed Recipes

How to Toast Pecans