The Best Pumpkin Recipes for the Holiday Season (2024)

Enjoy the flavors of Fall with a healthy spin!

The Best Pumpkin Recipes for the Holiday Season (1)

At certain times of the year, there are particular foods and flavors that we simply must indulge in. These foods become a way to celebrate the season, and oftentimes, become attached to memories that we hold dear. When the cold, Autumn air blows in and the leaves start to fall, one of the most popular ingredients to include in our meals and treats is pumpkin! For this reason, we’ve assembled a list of some of our best pumpkin recipes to help you celebrate the season and upcoming holidays!

We have pumpkin-rich recipes for every meal of the day, and plenty of desserts too! Our delicious dishes and delectable treats are made with healthy ingredients that will allow you to enjoy your favorite flavors in a more nutritious way!

The recipes below will add a warm and comforting touch to your day or night, whether you’re celebrating the season at home, or joining your friends and family for a holiday get-together.

Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte

You know it’s officially Fall when coffee shops across the country begin to offer the beloved pumpkin spice latte! Unfortunately, this tasty coffee shop beverage is typically laden with sugar and calories. Our skinny pumpkin spice latte on the other hand, slashes calories but offers the same warm and nutty flavors you love. Plus, making it at home is budget-friendly!

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Custard Oatmeal

Oatmeal is an excellent and nutritious breakfast any time of the year, but it’s particularly good when it’s cold outside. This sweet and creamy oatmeal is not only filled with nutrients, but each serving is just over 150 calories! A warm and comforting breakfast that’s healthy too? Yes, please!

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Butter

This yummy, naturally-sweetened pumpkin butter makes a fantastic addition to any breakfast! It’s incredibly simple to make and tastes wonderful on biscuits, pancakes, French toast, and more! Pumpkin butter allows you to indulge in the seasonal goodness, in a low calorie way.

Creamy Pumpkin Chicken Enchiladas

Creamy pumpkin, gooey cheese, tender chicken, and a wonderful blend of spices make for one incredible dish. These enchiladas are unlike any other. The slightly-spicy, slightly-smoky flavor mixed with the mild sweetness of pumpkin and sweet potatoes create a flavor combination that is out of this world. And, at only 308 calories and 24 grams of protein per serving, they’re healthier than most enchilada recipes too!

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili

Everyone needs a chili recipe for colder weather, and this is one that you absolutely must try. Pumpkin chili may sound a bit odd at first, but it’s actually incredibly delicious! The chili powder gives that classic kick, while the pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice add subtle notes of nutty coziness.

Clean Eating Pumpkin Streusel Bars

Our pumpkin streusel bars will pair perfectly with your morning coffee. If you’re not a fan of early-morning sweets, they will taste just as good as an after dinner dessert! The bar itself is rich with moist, pumpkin flavor while the streusel crumble on top contributes a wonderfully crunchy texture!

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Latte Cake

Your favorite Fall beverage can now be enjoyed in cake form! The gorgeous dessert is almost too pretty to eat. You’re definitely going to want to dive right into this one! The notes of nutmeg and cinnamon in the pumpkin pie spice complement the light sweetness of the pumpkin and vanilla. Trust us, it’s way too tasty to pass up.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

Moist, decadent pumpkin bread is delicious on it’s own. Throw in some rich, chocolate chips, and you’ve got yourself one scrumptious dessert. This recipe is great for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or even a special snack! It makes a great homemade hostess gift, too!

Best Ever Pumpkin Cheesecake

If there are two desserts we adore more than anything it’s sweet pumpkin pie and rich, creamy cheesecake. So, to say that we love this recipe is still an understatement. It’s so full of flavor and incredible texture that we decided to refer to it as the Best Ever Pumpkin Cheesecake – because it is!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Shooters

Speaking of pumpkin cheesecake, these adorable little pre-portioned shooters are the perfect way to end an evening full of delicious food. There’s so much creamy sweetness in one bite, that it doesn’t take much to satisfy your sweet tooth. Fudge and Pumpkin Cheesecake Shooters are the gifts my neighbors most often request for the holidays.

Pumpkin Pie Chia Pudding

This fun little twist on classic pumpkin pie made our list for several excellent reasons. One, the flavors are magnificent. The blend of spices, creamy coconut milk, and pumpkin puree are a flavor trio made in heaven. Two, the way the chia seeds soak up the flavor creates a mouthwateringly smooth pudding. And finally, the nutritious ingredients and individual serving sizes make it a healthy dessert option as well!

What did you think of these pumpkin recipes? Have you tried any of them before? Which one are you looking forward to trying most? We want to hear about it! Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below!

You can also follow us on Facebook and Pinterest, or even subscribe to our eNewsletter. That way, you can be sure to stay up to date on all of our tastiest recipes.

The Best Pumpkin Recipes for the Holiday Season (2024)

FAQs

What is the most flavorful pumpkin? ›

The Sugar Pie Pumpkin is often considered the crème de la crème of cooking pumpkins. Its deep orange flesh is sweet, smooth, and creamy, making it perfect for pies, soups, and purees. This culinary gem pairs beautifully with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, creating irresistible autumnal flavors.

What can I add to pumpkin to make it taste better? ›

Pumpkin Spice Mix Recipe
  1. ⅓ cup ground cinnamon.
  2. 1½ tablespoons ground ginger.
  3. 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg.
  4. 1½ teaspoons ground cloves.
  5. 1½ teaspoons ground allspice.
Oct 13, 2020

What is the difference between Cinderella and fairytale pumpkins? ›

Cinderella pumpkins, also known as Rouge Vif d'Étampes, are a similar shape to fairytale pumpkins, but they have a bright red-orange color as opposed to the orange-brown of a fairytale. Additionally, Cinderella are less flavorful and more watery, making them less suited for baking.

What flavor pairs best with pumpkin? ›

To complement pumpkin with sweet flavor pairings, consider using spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice and vanilla, or sweet ingredients like chocolate, maple, honey, cranberries or brown sugar. Create savory dishes by pairing pumpkin with spices like chilies, cajun, cayenne or pepper.

What kind of pumpkin is not edible? ›

Our Guide to Gourds
NameFlavorFlesh
Goosenecknot edibleused for decoration
Jack be Quicknot edibleused for decoration
Jarrahdale Pumpkinsoft, melon-like aroma, delicious fleshdeep, bright orange, very firm, very little stringiness
Luminaedible but not usually eatenusually used as decoration
14 more rows

What brings out pumpkin flavor? ›

Pumpkin spice (a.k.a. pumpkin pie spice) is an aromatic blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Sometimes allspice is included. You can buy the spice blend at the store or use ingredients you already have on hand to make DIY pumpkin spice.

Can I use pumpkin pie mix instead of pumpkin puree? ›

You'll need to add sweetener, spices, and possibly a thickener (like eggs). However, you cannot use pumpkin pie filling in place of pure pumpkin unless you are making a pie or dessert that calls for the extra ingredients.

What is the best way to cook a pumpkin? ›

Cooking the Pumpkin

If you're roasting, roast at 400 F for 35 to 45 minutes or until the flesh is soft. If you're steaming, fill your steamer pot with a few inches of water, bring it to a boil.

Can you cook fancy pumpkins? ›

Technically yes, but you could better spend your pumpkin dollars elsewhere. The pumpkin varieties that are bred for carving are bred to have lots of room for candles and fancy designs, and as a result have a watery, relatively bland flesh that's not as well-suited for cooking.

What Disney Princess lives in a pumpkin? ›

The imagery of a giant pumpkin is closely associated with Cinderella, so it isn't a stretch by any means to say that she might be the one living in the Forgotten Realms' giant pumpkin. There's lots of Cinderella clothes in Dreamlight Valley already too.

What does a sugar pie pumpkin look like? ›

Sugar pumpkins range mostly from softball- to cantaloupe-sized. Their color is usually a deep, rich orange, and they're usually fairly round, although there are exceptions to both. Another key characteristic of sugar pumpkins is that they have dry, fine-grained flesh.

What is the most delicious pumpkin? ›

For cooking, you'll want to use sugar pumpkins (also called pie or sweet pumpkins), which are small and round. Long Island Cheese pumpkins, which are more oblong and can look like a wheel of cheese, are also good to eat. Field pumpkin types are larger, have watery, stringy flesh, and are best for decorating.

How do you intensify pumpkin flavor? ›

Ruth Reichl's Tip: Roast Your Pumpkin Purée

Not only does roasting deepen the flavor of the pumpkin, but it bakes off some of the moisture in the purée, ensuring a more custard-like pie with less risk of a soggy crust.

What spice is good for 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.

What kind of pumpkins taste best? ›

The sugar pie pumpkin, also known as sugar pumpkin, is a small pumpkin that is prized for its sweet and smooth flesh. This variety is specifically cultivated for its culinary uses, making it the go-to choice for homemade pumpkin pies, custards, and other delectable treats.

What kind of pumpkin is the sweetest? ›

Kabocha. A popular Japanese variety, the Kabocha has a rough but edible peel, and a round plump shape. It can be dark green or bright orange-red, and has firm, orange flesh. One of the sweetest varieties of pumpkin, its flavour has been compared to sweet potato, while its firm flesh holds together well in the oven.

Which canned pumpkin is the best? ›

Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin

In this taste test, our Test Kitchen pros found that the biggest name in the pumpkin game does, in fact, make the best canned pumpkin on the market. Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin is a favorite among our culinary crew.

How do you know which pumpkin is best? ›

Gently squeeze or press your fingers into the fruit. Pay close attention to the blossom end, or bottom, and around the stem. A fresh pumpkin should be solid to the touch. Avoid ones that have soft spots or sunken areas, as decay has already set in.

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